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Winter Wonder Beauty Products

words by Frankie Rozwadowska

Days are shorter, temperatures are lower, and woolly tights are out in force. It’s official – not only has winter arrived but dry flaky skin, chapped lips and parched locks also make their annual appearance. With a combination of bracing winds, icy cold air and central-heating, our skin is subjected to a serious moisture attack, making these winter woes almost impossible to avoid. But don’t panic – the change in season doesn’t have to mean straw-like hair and red raw skin – these winter wonder products will leave you looking less abominable snowman and more Snow White in no time.

Flaky Skin:

There’s only one way to rid yourself of dry flaky skin – exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Buffing away dead skin reveals new fresh cells underneath and stimulates cell renewal by getting the blood pumping, which in turn means less signs of ageing. Bonus. It also unclogs pores, preventing spots and blockages from forming, and helps your moisturiser to work more effectively. If you’re patting yourself on the back thinking, yes! I do that already with my loofah! Then listen up. Loofahs and mitts are a breeding ground for bacteria – not exactly something you want to be scrubbing your skin with…

Instead opt for a gentle scrub that will not aggravate sensitive skin – like the Sai Sei Mineral Invigorate Body Scrub (£28). Infused with apricot seeds, refreshing water bamboo and sasa veitchii extracts, it buffs away impurities and dead skin flakes whilst improving skin tone – leaving skin silky soft and invigorated.

For your face, the Nuxe Gentle Exfoliating Gel (£16) has 100% natural origin exfoliants (grains of lychee seeds and walnut shell powders) and contains extracts from the Damascena Rose – one of the richest sources of active molecules that soothe and soften skin. And it smells divine. But take note – don’t go exfoliating crazy. A couple of times a week is enough – you need to allow your skin time to regenerate.

Dry Skin:

With drier air both outside and in, skin is less able to retain water – so give it a helping hand with these hydrating healers.

For the body, the Saaf Eraser Body Oil (£35.99) is the ultimate skin-saviour. A luxurious blend of Rosehip Seed Oil, Safflower Oil and Mandarin essential oil not only increases the moisture content of the skin, but reduces the appearance of raised scar tissue and stretch marks whilst reducing uneven pigmentation. Oils are easily absorbed by the body, so it will not leave your skin feeling greasy – instead just supple and smooth.

Ahava’s Comforting Cream (£35) rids your face of redness and soothes irritations caused by winter weather by fortifying the skin’s natural barrier and providing deep hydration. With Dead Sea Mud to nourish, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb to smooth and protect, Tomato Fruit Extract to defend the skin against damage and Flaxseed Oil and Vitamin E to raise moisture levels and fight free-radical damage, it ticks all the right boxes.

For a more concentrated moisturising product, the Eve Lom Moisture Mask (£65) is an intense boost designed for when skin is feeling extra dehydrated or thirsty. It restores moisture balance whilst preventing future water loss and increasing cellular renewal for a radiant, glowing complexion. Simply leave on for 15 minutes et voilà – skin as soft as a silk

Parched Locks:

Central heating and winter winds = dry static hair and frizzy flyaways. Not a good look. Which is why Ojon’s new Rare Blend Oil (£29) is a must. Boasting not one, not two, but seven natural oils sourced from Tahiti’s tropics to South America’s rainforests, it repairs damage, provides intense hydration and tames frizz. It also smells like a dream – with notes of creamy, sweet Tonka Bean, Cocoa Butter and fresh, uplifting Bergamot. Heaven for your hair.

Chapped Lips:

You can’t hide a prickly pout – but you can prevent it. The multi-award winning Lanolips 101 Ointment (£11) is 100% pure, natural and fragrance free, and holds up to 200% of its weight in moisture. Clever. It also works a treat on minor burns and cuts, and is gentle enough for the most sensitive of conditions. Very clever. Melt between your fingers and butter up your lips for the smoothest of smiles.

Raw Hands:

Sore and raw = snore and bore. A problem that seems to happen winter after winter. But not when you’ve got the Neal’s Yard Citrus Hand Softener (£15). Imagine enveloping your hands in velvet – it’s that good. With ingredients tasty enough to eat (avocado, blackcurrant seed and coconut oil), this nourishing formula works with Shea nut butter to moisturise and encourage repair. It’s magic for mitts.

Brittle Nails:

When it comes to brittle nails and flaky cuticles – The L’Occitane Shea Butter Nail & Cuticle Cream (£12) quite literally, well, nails it. Containing nourishing Shea butter and the softening and strengthening agents of myrrh essential oil, and honey to reinforce the nails and soften the cuticles – nails become stronger and dry skin disappears.

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