Blogmas #7 Top Winter Skin Saviours

This weather plays havoc on our skin. From going outside in the bitter cold and then back into a heated house and with all the stresses and illness this time of year brings, our skin can become dry, clogged up, chapped and generally dull. If we're feeling shit inside at least we can perk ourselves up with some skin pampering to slough away the blues.

C L I N I Q U E: 
Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

'Rapid long-lasting hydration in a refreshing oil-free gel. Fast-absorbing formula with active aloe delivers a burst of moisture.  Smooths, softens and plumps up fine, dry lines. Locks in moisture all day. Helps skin better resist de-hydration despite drastic shifts in humidity. Use whenever needed, under or over makeup. Or as a 5-minute moisture mask.'- Clinique.

Aptly named, this miracle product is absorbed quickly leaving the skin moisturised and nourished without any sticky or greasy residue, which makes for a great base under makeup. It is a refreshing, gel-based formula with a bouncy light texture and feels cooling on the skin. It is the only product I've found that rapidly repairs the cracked skin in the inner corners of my mouth- a tell tale sign that my body is worn down! There is a pale peachy colour to the gel although this does not transfer to the skin and it is fragrance-free although isn't particularly very appetising if you end up licking it off. I apply a small amount to my face often after a shower/bath and work it into the skin gently in upward circular motions. A little goes a long way so the 75ml pot is definitely worth the high-end price tag!

T H E   B O D Y  S H O P:

Lipsuff

'Buff your lips beautiful with our smoothing, exfoliating and nourishing lipscuff. This handy stick gently sloughs away dead skin cells to reveal softer, moisturised lips.' -The Body Shop

In classic lipstick packaging this handbag essential is a great short-term saviour to keep with you for when you want to apply some rouge but no thanks to the cold have horribly chapped lips! The packaging is a bit plasticky and the product does get stuck in the lid (or can bounce out of the stick) if your not careful which is a bit disappointing for the price. However I do love the convenience of the product. The pale-mint green coconut based lip scrub has a very subtle woody/minty scent if you sit and inhale it (but unless your me reviewing it, your not likely to do this) and doesn't particularly taste of anything too unpleasant. It has teeny tiny grains of something rathers that are not highly abrasive or tingly to the skin on your lips. 

Apply to the lips, then press your lips together, working the product into them and then remove. I like to use a muslim cloth to gain a bit more exfoliation but on the go a piece of tissue will do. 

It leaves your lips feeling and looking buffed and chap-free. The ingredients include quite a few skin conditioning agents or 'emollients' (you can only say that word using a 'poash' voice) which may factor in why I don't feel the need to slather (good word) on a lip balm afterwards. 

T H E   B O D Y  S H O P:

Shea Butter Range

'This super-rich and creamy Body Butter is a feast for the skin. It melts straight in to leave skin feeling soft and smooth. It contains Community Trade shea butter and has a delicious nutty scent.'

-The Body Shop

This range is by far the best when it comes to full body moisturisation! With a vast range of products from lip butters, body butters, exfoliating scrubs to hand creams, soap and shower creams the thick creamy formula boasts 48hr hydration for dry skin which I can confirm. It's a more mature woody, nutty scent which suits both men and women; for me the scent is not dissimilar to a yummy men's aftershave. The packaging is classy and unisex. The thick sugar scrub exfoliator is great and easy to use all-over the body with little residue and no jammy mess that I've had in the past with other body shop scrubs. The body butter is so intensely nourishing for the skin and especially great for newly-shaved/'veeted' legs and it's not sticky which is an added bonus! The lip butter is good too although I use it more as an overnight mask on my lips as it's quite thick in consistency and opaque (it's white in colour) but really conditioning! Shea Butter comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea Tree and is well known for it's benefits for repairing dry skin. It provides the skin with the nutrients needed for collagen production (this is the body's protein that holds everything together giving skin strength and elasticity) and is considered one the best ingredients for moisturising, reducing inflammation and anti-aging.

T H E   B O D Y  S H O P:

Chinese Ginseng and Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask

'Give your skin a new lease of life with our Chinese Ginseng and Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask. Inspired by Chinese traditions, we have blended ginseng extract, rice extract and sesame seed oil into our 100% vegetarian creamy exfoliating mask, that has been formulated without parabens, paraffin, silicone or mineral oil. Use two to three times a week to reveal brighter-looking, even and supple feeling skin.'- The Body Shop

I swear this post isn't sponsored. I'm just obsessing over The Body Shop at the moment; it seems to have matured with me, bringing out some awesome ranges recently including their exfoliating face masks. This is a high quality face mask that comes in very stylish packaging that would appeal to both men and women. The gingery lightly scented mask leaves my face notably brighter and combats tired looking skin. It has a thick grainy texture with rice flakes (your not putting fat grains of Uncle Ben's on ya face, don't worry!) It has a smooth, cool feel and although thick is easy to spread over the face. The 75ml pot is on the small side especially as they suggest using this twice a week. I only use it at least once a week when I feel my skin needs a boost. It doesn't noticeably dry (as in harden or change colour) like the charcoal mask does which is a little disconcerting but you can stick to the recommended guideline time of 5-10mins. Using a warm, wet muslim cloth take off the mask and sloosh (great word) over cold water to close up the pores. 

L' O R E A L  P A R I S  E L V I V E:

Extraordinary Clay Masque for Oily Roots

'Instantly absorbs oil and impurities for deeply cleansed, light and lifted roots'- L'Oreal 

A hot bath or shower is a winter staple at this time of year and however much I try and conceal my hair the steam seems to penetrate through and leave my hair looking and feeling greasy and lank. When my hair needs an oomph or just after a massage where I've been oiled up (it's really not as sensual as it sounds!!) I use this pre-shampoo treatment. 

A lovely strongly-scented minty-blue colour which matches the sturdy packaging (150ml). It's like a disgustingly nice chlorine smell thats fresh and very femininely perfumed. The consistency is a thick, whipped cream thats cold to the touch. Spread it liberally onto the roots of dry hair, wait 5 minutes and wash it off. Simple as. It does feel quite heavy and wet on your head but not too unpleasant.  It's reccomended to follow with the rest of the range of shampoo and conditioner although I opt for my preferred Redken Body Full Anti-Gravity Volume Shampoo followed by the Redken Body full Light Conditioner (which I only apply to the ends of my hair). This hair washing routine leaves my fine hair soft and voluminous. 

The clay mask is easy to wash out and leaves hair smelling fresh as well as deep cleaning the scalp. The treatment has a lasting effect on the hair and allows you to wait a little longer before having to wash it again. My hair does feel thoroughly clean and bouncy after using this clay masque. 

Winter Skin Superfood Smoothie

By drinking lots of water and packing specific foods into your diet you can help to revitalise your skin from the inside out! This smoothie is full of skin-loving superfoods. It also helps to satisfy a sweet-craving and is dairy-free too. 

for 1 portion

Whizz up in a blender or nutri-bullet:

• 3 cups of Almond Milk
• half an avocado
• a few frozen or fresh strawberries
• 1 cup of frozen blueberries
• 1 tablespoon of Flaxseed
• a drizzle of honey to sweeten

Almond Milk 

Amongst lots of essential vitamins Almond Milk contains: Vitamin E which has great antioxidant properties, Zinc that can help to keep the skin clear and blemish-free; it is also anti-inflammatory and Vitamin B2 which hydrates the skin, aids in circulation helping the tissues of the skin, nails and hair to use oxygen. 

Avocado

Avocado contains fatty acids that moisturise and soften skin cells. It has a lot of skin protecting antioxidants, Vitamin E- to fight wrinkles and Vitamin C- which helps to give your skin firmness and structure. The avocado in a smoothie sounds gross but you can't taste it and it gives the smoothie a nice creamy texture. 

Strawberries

These are packed full of Vitamin C which helps to even skin tone and improves hydration. The Ascorbic Acid in Vitamin C helps to make skin more youthful. 

Blueberries

These are packed with Vitamin A which can neutralise oils in the skin preventing or rescuing skin from acne breakouts. They are full of antioxidants that help to combat signs of ageing and the Vitamin C in blueberries help to strengthen blood vessels under the skin's surface which when weak can cause redness, blotchy areas or 'spider veins' on the face. 

Flaxseed

You can buy this now at most supermarkets. A brown finely ground powder which has basically no taste, Flaxseed is great in helping to reduce redness, skin irritation and inflammation and brings a whole host of beneficial properties to the skin.

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