Winter skincare

As much as I like to experiment and try new products, by now I think I have figured out what my skin needs and when it needs it, so I have a fairly clear view of what types of products I need to have in my skin care kit even though I might change brands. Except for the occasional hormonal break out, I have normal to combination skin and my biggest challenge all year around is battling dehydration. As if it's not enough with the horrible weather we've had lately; storms, rain and the cold, I sit in front of a computer all day long, enjoying the benefits of central heating which sounds cushy and cosy, but it all takes a toll on the skin. So in the winter time this means I have to bring out the big skin care guns and use products that are gentle on the skin and that cleanse and exfoliate without stripping it back, but that also give deep hydration and nourishment to keep my skin supple and smooth. This winter these are the hero products that have helped to maintain my skin.

Like most of us I don't have much time to get ready in the morning, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I prioritise a couple of minutes of more sleep over a time consuming morning routine, so using a micellar water works perfectly for me. The Gatineau Gentle Cleansing Micellar Water (£19) is a very gentle solution that cleanses, moisturises and soothes at the same time. It's suitable even for very sensitive skin, so I know that it won't cause any irritation or make my skin feel tight. Just like Bioderma this product makes your skin feel as clean as if you had done a proper deep cleanse, and all that after a quick sweep with a cotton pad - perfect!

This micellar water also works to remove eye- and face makeup (including waterproof) so I've been using it in the evenings as to take off my eye makeup before using my Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser (£15). Micellar waters are great when you need a quick fix but for me there's no replacing a great cleansing product in the evenings to make sure the skin is nice and clean before applying all the night products. You may remember that I've mentioned this cleanser before - it has the most wonderful light and fluffy, cloud like consistency and it kind of "pops" on your skin. It contains grape extracts, sage and camomile that soothes and purifies the skin, and it's so gentle that you can definitely use it twice a day if you so choose, and the refreshing cucumber scent is a lovely pick me up after a long day.

Call me old school, but I like to use a toner after I've used a cleanser to make sure that there's no product at all left on my skin and Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile (£18) works beautifully together with the Caudalie cleanser, and it helps to rebalance and stimulate the skin's moisture level. It's has a zesty sligthly peppery invigorating scent and a little tip if you don't want to buy an expensive facial spray is to pour some of this in a spray bottle and you can use this throughout the day instead and you'll get almost the same effect.

As you can tell, all these products are about gentle every day cleansing, but at the same time it's essential to get rid of dead skin cells to make room for new ones to push up from underneath, so a few times a week I exfoliate using Origins Modern Friction (£33) - "Natures Gentle Dermabrasion" (in the photo I show a limited edition packaging but it's the same formula as the original). What I like the most about this is the consistency, which is very fine and granular since it uses rice starch as the exfoliating ingredient and although it's gentle, you can feel that it definitely gets the job done. I prefer to use this on damp skin to get a lovely creamy foaming consistency but you can use it on dry skin as well. I find that it gives amazing radiance without any redness or irritation, and since it also has a great aromatic spa scent, this ticks all the boxes for me.

The perfect partner to Modern Friction is the well known, super hyped Origins Drink Up Intensive (£22) Overnight Mask. It contains seaweed that helps not only to repair the skin but also to retain moisture. Is it worth the hype? Absolutely 100% yes. For me this is THE Holy Grail product, that makes your skin look plump, supple, nourished and hydrated. I'll use this at least 3-4 times a week either after my exfoliator, or as a double intense night cream - applying one coat immediately after I've removed my makeup for the evening, and then another coat a few hrs later just before I go to bed, and I have even used this as a pre-moisturising treatment. It is FANTASTIC and the beautiful creamy orange peel candy scent just makes it even more lovely to use and the price for 100ml is more than reasonable. If you haven't tried Drink Up Intensive yet, it should definitely go on your list of products to try this year - you won't regret it!

 

I like to use serums and oils as part of my skin routine and during the winter there's nothing like Clarins Santal Face Treatment Oil (£30) for a mega boost of moisture. It's a fairly heavy oil, intended for dry or extra dry skin based on 100% pure plant extracts that soothe, tone, hydrate and decongest the skin. You only need a tiny drop to massage all over your skin or just a specific area that needs some TLC before applying moisturiser, and fortunately it comes with a pipette so it's easy to get exactly the right amount. It is a rich oil, but as long as you only use a tiny amount there's no need to worry about shininess during the day, and it immediately makes the skin look smooth, plump and it feels soft as velvet. Last but not least I have to mention the scent because I absolutely adore it. It's a warm, aromatic and slightly sweet cardamom scent, almost like something from a bakery it's so comforting and relaxing - and if this was a perfume I'd wear it every single day.

For the delicate eye area I've used Kiehl's Avocado Eye Treatment (£33) which is rich in ingredients to protect and nourish the skin and that builds up moisture. If feels heavy on the skin when you first apply it but it absorbs very quickly, almost turning liquidy and it doesn't leave any shininess at all. The eye area feels protected, bright and soft and you can also use this as a masque both around the eye area and the lip contour,applying a thicker layer and then just letting it absorb naturally for 15-20 mins.

After the eye cream I apply the Gatineau Melatogenine Aox Probiotic Advanced Rejuvenating Cream (£76.25) - now that's a mouthful... It's a very luxurious, rich anti-ageing cream which is more for mature skin, and although I fortunately don't have any real issues with that yet, there's nothing wrong with starting well in advance to try and prevent wrinkles and sagging, or at least delay the inevitable as long as possible. It adds an intense boost of moisture and in the evening when I remove the day's makeup my skin still feels hydrated and nourished which is exactly what I want from a moisturiser. Another reason why I love this cream so much is because of the instant radiance that it gives, and my slightly blue tinted skin tone in winter all of a sudden looks glowy, rested and fresh without having to use any fake tan.

For night time I've turned to an old friend, the Decléor Aromessence Iris Night Balm (£34.50) which I've used during the last few winters and it's amazing for restoring skin that has been battered by the cold and wind. In the jar the balm has a very firm texture but as soon as you rub it between your fingertips, the essential oils heat up and as soon you apply, it just melts into the skin, making it feel very nourished and protected. The skins does feel a little bit sticky from the oils, although that is gradually absorbed into the skin and when you wake up in the morning the skin looks stimulated, rested and refreshed - a great intensive treatment.

The last two products I've used regularly, at least a few times a day starting with the wonderful Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment (£20) which a great moisturiser and softener for both hands and nails and it's almost like it forms a protective soft glove over your hands and it definitely helps to nourish and maintain the cuticles too. The finishing touch of my skin routine, morning and evening as always has been the Caudalie Beauty Elixir (£9.20 - currently on amazing sale from Escentual). This is the limited edition design by L'Wren Scott, but it's exactly the same formula and scent as the original Caudalie. I love this facial mist and find that not only does it help to boost moisture levels and add radiance but the lovely aromatic scent is so energising and perfect to carry with you in your hand bag for a little spritz every now and then to freshen up your skin and makeup.

My skin has actually been behaving quite well this winter (touch wood) and I'm convinced it's not just because the products are suitable for my skin type, but I think it's also down to finding a regular routine and then sticking with for a reasonable amount of time to give the products an actual chance to do their magic. What products have you used this winter and is there something you recommend that I try?

My evening routine

After a long day and before snuggling down to relax I get changed and get my skin ready for the night. It does take a few minutes, but it's a routine that I like and that for me really marks the end of the day - I'm done, I'm home and now it's down time. When I'm really tired it's tempting to want to ignore the whole evening routine, and just to go to bed with make up on (and don't try and deny it - we've all done that!), but with the help of a cleansing solution it'll take less than a minute to cleanse and moisturize to keep those wrinkles at bay! Cleansing solutions are definitely a great option, but for me they don't completely replace a separate cleanser and toner, which is what I prefer to use most evenings.

I start with soaking some cotton pads in Gatineau Floracil Gentle Cleansing Lotion for Eyes which is a super gentle non-oily cleansing lotion that is incredibly effective in removing all eye makeup, including waterproof products, and then I leave them for a few seconds on the eyelids. There's no need for pulling or rubbing, and the lotion also soothes the eye area while it cleanses. It is a pricey product, but considering that you only need very little, it lasts a long time and since it looks after that delicate eye area as well, I like to look at it as an investment - to prevent further cost in 15 years time, if you know what I mean.

I'll follow that with my Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel. It's a light and gentle foaming gel that cleanses the skin, removing any make up but without drying out my skin. I have used this product for about a year and for me it's perfect to use in the shower, it really brightens the skin and I love its fresh and zesty orange fragrance. It's definitely my favourite Clarins cleanser and it's great value for money (£12).

When I've rinsed off the cleansing gel with some warm water I use Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile. I really like to use a toner to get rid of every bit of cleanser or any stubborn makeup, and because it makes the skin feel that extra clean and fresh. This lotion is again a very gentle and alcohol free product and with the Camomile, well known for it's anti inflammatory qualities, this helps to soften and soothe any irritation. By the way, if you are interested in any of these products, and you are based in the UK - hurry up and go to Clarins on line store since they have some fantastic summer offers on at the moment, with great goodie bags for purchases over £60 (offer expires 18/8)!

So that's the preparation done and now the last bit - moisturisers. If I'm using an oil or a serum, I'll apply that at this point before I get to the eye cream. At the moment I have the Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Eye Creme which I've talked about in detail in another post. I like to use products that feel as if they are actually doing something, and for the eye area in particular I like creamy textures that moisturise and nourish without any clogging - this eye cream does all of those things. The skin feels so smooth and refreshed and the eye area looks bright and radiant. When I wrote the other post on this eye cream I estimated that I would get a good 3-4 months use out of it, and more than one month down the line I have barely made a dent in the cream. That's how little you need, and my new estimate is that it'll probably still be on my bathroom shelf 6 months from now!

Last but not least is the Decléor Aromessence Angélique Night Balm. Night time is perfect for oils and serums that have a thicker consistency that will leave your skin a bit shiny and oily, but since you're asleep anyway - who cares when it does wonders for your skin? The Angélique balm is suitable for dry skin types in particular and consists of essential oils and 100% natural, preservative-free ingredients. Before you apply it you should rub a little balm between your palms or fingertips to heat it up, to make it easier for it to melt into your skin. As you heat up the balm you'll sense the amazing aromatic essential oils which I find really relaxing. The balm is supposed to soothe dry skin, reduce fine lines and stimulate "the nutritive exhange process" - I guess that means that we'll all wake up looking GORGEOUS! All jokes aside, I use this night balm all year around, but especially in the wintertime as an intense treatment to rebalance and smooth my skin, and I know that in the morning I'll have soft and supple skin.

To finish off I'll spray some on some nice perfume before making a cup of tea or a very naughty hot chocolate. That and reading a few clicks on the kindle will send me off to the land of nod, and a good nights sleep. Zzzzzleep well!