Beat sensitive, dry and inflammed skin this winter with our beauty team’s top picks for surviving chilly weather
WINTER has well and truly hit this week. After a mild Christmas, the recent sharp drop in temperatures and first flurries of snow mean chapped winter skin is just around the corner.
You’ve probably already dug out your puffer jacket and fur-lined boots, so it’s time to take a similarly caring approach to your beauty routine.
Even if you don’t want to switch things up entirely, a few clever additions can do wonders to prevent straw-like strands and painfully dry skin.
And, if the weather has already taken its toll, the caring remedies will re-wind the damage and have you back on track in no time.
Beauty Editor, Tara Ledden
CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment
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£14 from LookFantastic - BUY NOW
I’ve got incredibly oily skin, and have never understood the idea of slugging - I don’t love putting Vaseline on my lips, never mind my whole face - but this multipurpose balm has quickly gained my seal of approval.
Granted, I don’t use it all over my face, but after battling a nasty cold for almost a month now, the skin around my nose was red enough to rival Rudolph’s. Thankfully, the ointment soothed my sore and dry skin overnight and made it far less sensitive, so I could apply make-up on top.
The thick, nourishing formula is non-comedogenic, so doesn’t block pores and cause spots, making it suitable for all skin types, including those prone to breakouts - like me!
Dr Sam’s Flawless Hand Therapy
£15 from Dr Sam's - BUY NOW
The greasy residue left behind by many hand creams is one of my worst beauty icks.
There’s nothing worse than leaving a trail of oily fingerprints on everything you touch while you’re waiting for it to sink in.
Finding one that moisturises without leaving any trace has been a lifelong mission, but this ticks all the boxes!
Ultra Violette Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm
£16 from Cult Beauty - BUY NOW
My lips are chronically dry, so this is a staple all year round - especially as it contains SPF50.
The formula is rich enough that it doesn’t sink in straight away, so you’re not reaching for it every five minutes to reapply.
Plus, it comes in a range of pink, red and peach shades that are universally flattering and far more pigmented than you’d expect for a balm, meaning I can forgo drying lipstick and still look like I've made an effort.
Murad Cellular Hydration Repair Mask
£55 from Murad - BUY NOW
Our skin naturally repairs itself overnight, so adding an overnight mask into the mix when your skin is out of sorts is the single easiest - and most effective - thing you can do.
This fast-acting formula contains bilberry and omegas that reduce my weather-worn rosy cheeks, as well as glycerin and vitamin E to hydrate and plump dry skin.
By the time I wake up, my skin is far smoother and feels much more comfortable, and the cream doesn’t leave any trace on my pillow, which can always be a worry.
I’ve been using it once a week for the last few weeks, but if you have extremely dry skin, it’s gentle enough to use every night!
Manucurist Huile Verte
£15 from Manucurist - BUY NOW
After breaking two nails in a matter of hours at the start of the week, I vowed to start hydrating them, and this is the first cuticle oil I’ve found that has stopped it feeling like a chore.
The targeted dropper keeps things mess free, and a little goes a long way so you only need to touch it on each nail for more than enough product.
It’s shiny but not sticky, and immediately makes my nails look healthier, so I’m excited to see what the long-term benefits are like.
Naturium Fermented Camellia Creamy Cleansing Oil
£22 from Space NK - BUY NOW
I started using this cleanser before Christmas when I was wearing much heavier party make-up, and haven’t looked back.
It feels like silk on my skin and removes all traces of make-up, even waterproof mascara.
It doesn’t require lots of scrubbing or rubbing, nor does it irritate my sensitive eyes.
Best of all, it doesn’t leave behind an oily residue, so there’s no need to double cleanse!
Beauty assistant, Mia Lyndon:
Lush Dream Cream
£12 from Lush - BUY NOW
As someone who’s suffered from eczema since childhood, I’ve tried my fair share of medicated creams, ointments and balms.
However, nothing has soothed and hydrated my skin like the Dream Cream.
While it’s marketed as a body lotion, the quick-absorbing formula is nourishing enough for hands. Its cooling formula gets to work on inflammation, and leaves skin soft and repaired, thanks to olive oil.
It’s also infused with calming lavender and camomile - hence why I smother my hands in it before heading to bed.
Elizabeth Arden 8-Hour Lip Balm
£22 from Elizabeth Arden - BUY NOW
I am so terrible at lip care that this year, I’ve stuffed a lip balm in each of my coat’s pockets, my desk drawer, and every single bag I own.
But this is the lip balm that I’m always turning out my pockets to look for.
Whether or not you’re a fan of the OG Eight Hour Balm, this lip balm is nourishing and only lightly scented.
If it’s windy outside, the non-sticky formula won’t get stuck to flyaway hair and its lightweight formula is perfect for wearing underneath lipstick.
Kate Sommerville Goat Milk Cleanser
£38 from Cult Beauty - BUY NOW
Battering from wind and rain has sensitised my skin recently, meaning I’ve been finding many cleansers irritating. So this soothing cleanser has been my go-to.
While I was initially put off by its name, hear me out, because this is one of the most indulgent, gentle cleansers I’ve ever used.
It won’t remove all your make-up, but it is the perfect second cleanse if you’re looking to rehydrate and soothe irritated skin.
With jojoba and avocado oils, it replenishes and balances skin texture.
Tatcha The Serum Stick
£49 from Tatcha - BUY NOW
Chilly weather dries out the skin around my eyes, leaving it flaky, sore and tight.
I’ve never been a fan of eye cream - I find most formulas too heavy or irritating - but this serum stick has been a winter saviour.
You can use this stick on pretty much anything - lips, cheeks, hands - but it’s the perfect size for tracing around your eye contour area.
The formula also doubles up as a great primer - meaning it’s the perfect base for eye make-up.
Moroccanoil Hair Mask
£27.85 from LookFantastic - BUY NOW
During the winter months, I really notice a difference in my hair.
The harsh weather takes its toll, leaving my locks dry and unruly - so injecting a bit of moisture back into it is a must.
I’ve tried too many hydrating hair masks to count, but my favourite of all time is the Moroccanoil Hair Mask.
For hair that feels softer and gloriously scented, I’ll work a dollop of the formula through the lengths of my hair, and rinse after a few minutes.
Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser
£3.80 from Boots - BUY NOW
I’ll be honest, I first picked up this moisturiser during a mad dash to Boots at Heathrow airport.
While I only initially bought it on a whim, I’ve been going back to it ever since, because this is the ultimate fuss-free, no-nonsense formula.
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Whilst it won’t transform your skin, it will leave it feeling soothed without being overly heavy or greasy.
When chilly weather leaves my skin feeling dry and irritated, I can always count on this moisturiser to rehydrate it without causing any sensitivity.