It’s often at this time of year, with the seasons turning a tad (well our fingers are crossed) but the air still chilly and quite harsh on skin, that our faces aren’t always looking their best. Whilst a couple of members of Grazia Team Beauty are jetting off to sunnier climates for both work and pleasure trips, most of us are stuck in stuff offices or else exposed to those bursts of cold air on our way home. Not to mention a couple of January retox nights out and a slight lack of exercise (we promise February we’ll be more motivated), we asked some of the industry pro’s to share their best insider skincare tips…
“I am loving the Clarisonic Opal at the moment – it’s fantastic for kick-starting under eye lymph drainage, a massive bonus for those who suffer from puffy eyes. It also helps your eye cream to penetrate that much better. I love using the Opal with the Skinceuticals AOX Eye Gel, it’s great to give eye cream more of a purpose as it is important but can often seem like an added faff. I have been using the Opal and Eye Gel since November and the results have been amazing- even my boyfriend has noticed, and he never notices anything!" - Una Brennan, facialist
"In winter we always think hydration is key but actually purifying the skin is especially important as diminished cellular turnover can also result in congested, toxic, dry skin. Facial Detox by Elemental Herbology contains organic mineral-rich clay from the Amazon Basin infused with skin brightening Kombuchka and soothing Manuka Honey that purifies the skin but also makes the skin brighter, softer and more radiant.” - Kristy Goodger-Cimesa, founder of Elemental Herbology
“During winter I tend to lean towards a richer moisturizer, one that is loaded with one of my favourite ingredients, hyaluronic acid. It is a fantastic humectant since it holds a 1000 times of water in its weight. A wonderful all around serum to be used on more than just your face is Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Daily Serum. It is loaded with different molecular weights of hyaluronic and leaves any thirsty skin quenched.” - Michelle Peck, celebrity facialist
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“My advice for skin and mantra is less is more and by that I mean the following - perfect skin for me is the complexion of a young child who's been running around the playground. So simplify your regime, leave out moisturisers at night and let your skin breath. Use a paraben-free cleansing wash (Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser is great) and ditch the foundation. My favourite product for achieving said complexion is Estee Lauder Idealist Skin Illuminator - put all over the face for the perfect healthy glow. Product overload does not make for happy skin!” - Mel Arter, make-up artist
“The cold and wind of winter can really affect your skin - it can be extremely drying - so it's essential to replace moisture and protect your skin from harsh weather by using a hydrating treatment. Jurlique's Moisture Replenishing day cream offers intense moisturisation to rebalance dryness often experienced during the colder months.” - Isabella Richards, Head of Product Development at Jurlique
“Practising a good skincare regime is fundamentally important – if you have good skin, you won’t need to wear much make-up, which is a joy. You don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive products, but do focus on keeping skin moisturised and hydrated, always wear an SPF, take your make-up off at night and treat yourself to occasional facials. I’m always on a quest for perfect skin and I’ve decided that the best things you can do is to eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water – it’s boring, but it makes such a difference.” - Jemma Kidd, make-up-artist
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“I love using rich oils on my skin to keep them in tip-top shape. I use them on my face but also all over my body too. If you have time try and massage them in too as this is great for the circulation and getting the blood going under the skin’s surface. My favourites are Weleda Cellulite Birch Oil, Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil and REN Rose Synergy Restoring Facial Serum Oil for the colder months.” - Liz Hambleton, Grazia’s Beauty Director
"A daily skincare routine of cleanse, tone and moisturise is essential to help preserve skin. To give dull skin an added boost, incorporate a revitalizing face mask to brighten and revive. My favourite pick-me-up is our Brightening Treatment Mask - this mask is like radiance in a bottle. With stimulating camphor oil, toning witch hazel and purifying white clay this hard-working minute mask delivers natural-looking radiance in moments.” - Liz Earle, founder of Liz Earle Skincare
“I swear by marine collagen supplements to keep my skin glowing all year round. They are amazing for skin on a deeper level as they target the connective tissues, stimulating proteins in all layers of the skin. I take them every day and have noticed my skin is more durable, softer, firmer and bouncy as well as improved pores and radiance.” - Nichola Joss, celebrity beauty therapist
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“I love using Sarah Chapman's Overnight Facial during the winter months. The oil serum nourishes and hydrates skin at night, which is the best time to feed your skin as this is when it repairs and is not exposed to pollution. You wake up with supple and smooth in the morning ready for makeup.” - Wendy Rowe, make-up artist