Climate Control by Dermalogica, £29, www.dermalogica.co.uk
This multi-tasking product is a make up bag must for the winter months. It’s a rich and intense balm that instantly sets about rectifying skin damaged by environmental aggressors such as wind, sun, cold and rain and is perfect to pack on a skiing trip to the Alps. It can be used on chapped lips, dry hands, red raw nostrils, basically anywhere that is a little tender and inflamed. It contains shea butter that restores the skins protective barrier, wheatgerm and oat extract to soothe and repair, lavender oil to prevent infection of the damaged areas, an Anti-Ozonate Complex, which protects the skin with a fumaric acid compound, and lemon extract to prevent itching. It comes in a convenient little applicator stick and should be applied as and when needed for instant soothing.
Facial Hydrator SPF8 by Elemental Herbology, £35.23, www.spacenk.com
Using the same facial moisturiser all year long isn’t ideal. With this in mind Elemental Herbology have created a range of skincare specifically for the changing seasons. As part of their winter range, this moisturiser is full of ingredients to hydrate and boost winter weary skin. The scent is richly aromatic, while the cream is thick and creamy yet easily absorbed. It contains vitamin B to moisturise and soften, co-enzyme Q10 to protect the skin’s connective tissue, vitamins A, C & E to neutralise free radicals, marine collagen to regenerate, anti-ageing royal jelly and essential oils of evening primrose, rose and geranium to hydrate, soothe and repair. It has an SPF of 8 to protect against sun damage, which ideally should have been a little higher, however this is a wonderfully nourishing and protecting winter cream for the face.
Protecting Vitamin Lipsaver by Molton Brown, £10, www.moltonbrown.co.uk
Whatever the season lips always need protecting. Extremes of weather cause lips to become dry and dehydrated and because they don’t produce any protective natural oils they are in need of help. Going from the blustery walk to work, into a centrally heated office, then back out into the cold causes lips to desiccate and could lead to painful cracking. Licking them is not an option to replace the moisture; instead a rich balm should be used to restore hydration levels. This ‘lipsaver’ guards specifically against the dehydration caused by wind, cold and air conditioning. It is rich in honey, which along with moisturising has anti-bacterial and healing properties, and contains beeswax to soften and vitamin E to protect against free radical damage. The formula is rich, but not sticky, long lasting and comes in stylish unisex packaging.
Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado by Kiehl’s, £25.50, www.kiehls.com
Resembling a smooth guacamole, this cream protects and moisturises weathered and dry eyes. The cream is rich and thick and contains vitamin A to prevent ageing and boost cell production, while shea butter conditions the skin and prevents environmental dry-out. When applied it feels a little sticky and weirdly watery, this is due to its 2 part structure that bursts a barrier in the cream when rubbed to provide intense moisturising benefits. Despite the contrasting sensations it absorbs easily, feels refreshing and adds zing to the eye area. When applying remember to pat the cream rather than rub it and take it up into the bridge of the nose and to where the frown lines develop.
Precipitation Extra Continuous Moisture Recovery For Very Dry Skin by Origins, £25, www.origins.com
Encased in layers of clothing, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the skin on the body doesn’t need moisturising during winter, but now is the perfect time to replenish the moisture levels. This body moisturiser is one of the best in beauty land. A little goes a marathon distance, absorbs easily, yet leaves no greasy residue and after taking off your tights and sweater the skin still feels silky and looks refreshed. A wonderful blend of ingredients goes to create this effective moisturisation. Shea and cocoa butters soften, soya bean oil prevents dryness, ginseng extract helps to energise while grapefruit oil stimulates the skin and helps strip away dead skin cells. Couple this with a soothing aloe extract, the long term moisturising benefits of murumuru butter and the uplifting aroma of essential oils of pettigrain, palmarosa and galbanium and you’ll be slathering this onto your body at every opportunity.
Super Aqua-Hands by Guerlain, £32, 01932 233 887
Our poor little hands suffer constant exposure to the elements and show signs of ageing easily. Actress Joan Collins rarely steps out without hers encased in gloves and while most of us can’t protect ours to this extreme, a little TLC will go a long way to keep them soft and youthful. This indulgent cream has a sensual musky floral scent of geranium, fresia, jasmine, lily of the valley and sandalwood. The super ingredient is the sap of the Atlas Blue Cedar tree that contains active molecules that permeate the layers of the skin’s epidermis, helping to hydrate and strengthen so that the skin becomes more resistant to harsh stresses and ageing. It contains an SPF 15 to protect against winter rays and has a light yet hydrating formula that can be applied as many times as your hands desire. |
