For a midwinter pick-me-up, I’m loving these super-nourishing powerhouses
It’s only the second day of the New Year, so I thought I’d share my current favourite items for putting my best face forward ‒ or at least my best-cared-for face in the midst of winter. At this time of year, my skin requires a little extra care to protect it against cold winds and heat inside.
Let’s begin with cleansing and the new Cleanser for Hyaluronic Acid from the Inkey List (£9.99, uk.theinkeylist.com). It is light and easy to use, and it removes all dirt and makeup. The hyaluronic acids element makes the skin feel plumper and hydrated. It also helps reduce the loss of moisture, which means that the benefits last all day.
The next step is hydration. New Curél Deep Moisture Spray (£19.50, boots.com) is an easy way to add an extra layer of moisture in the morning as part of your routine and also throughout the day as and when it’s needed – even on top of make-up. The aerosol nozzle delivers a very fine mist of micro-ceramides, which support the skin’s barrier, thereby preventing dehydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines and dullness. It couldn’t be easier to use: simply spritz it on from 20cm away and press it in.
A face oil is something I love, particularly at this time of the year, when my skin needs it most. Universal Face OilBy Mara (£60, contentbeautywellbeing.com) is my latest go-to. Mara, although relatively new here in this country, is already a beloved brand in its homeland. Its luxe oil is a fantastic addition to my bathroom and comes infused with marine algae – great for hydration and as an antioxidant to protect skin against external aggressors – as well as moringa oil, which is excellent at treating dryness. Your skin will get a radiant glow from it.
You can try a night-time treatment. Niod’s serious-sounding Copper Amino Isolate Lipid 1% (£70, deciem.com). This is a gem of a creation with a light gel-to-oil texture that works in multiple ways, including moisturising and hydrating as well as supporting the skin’s collagen and fibroblast production to help with volume and firmness. Don’t be put off by the pale-blue colour – it becomes transparent as you apply it. Now I’m not saying a cream can be the same as a facelift, but this really has made my skin look and feel better, healthier and more luminous.
You can try some “bump love”
It’s the perfect time to get into good habits for the 363 days ahead of us, and for me that includes recommitting to daily dry body brushing. This stimulates the lymphatic system, which helps to eliminate toxins and exfoliate. It’s also a great way to wake yourself up a bit in the morning. The Keys Soulcare Energizing Dry Brush is a brand new product that I love. It was created by Alicia Keys. As well as its dark beech-wood look ‒ a refreshing change from the usual pale colour ‒ it also has biodegradable vegan bristles for added eco appeal. £22, keyssoulcare.com.