Beauty: Need a dry skin mega-boost?
These creams deliver a serious moisture hit
Whether it’s the arrival of winter, central heating, the stress of the year we’ve had, or just the ageing process, my skin has been even more dehydrated than usual. It isn’t a chronic condition, you understand, just an epidermis that always seems to be thirsty.
I started testing a new hydrating treatment that’s coming from Medik8 – and wow! I was impressed by the rehabilitation in the state of my skin on all fronts – hydration, clarity, softness and plumpness. Give a warm welcome to the H.E.O. Mask (£55, medik8.com).
It’s a two-step treatment involving a hydrating blue gel and a whipped-texture nourishing cream. Apply the gel first, leave it to sink in for a few minutes and then rub in the cream; if you have other serums you like to use at night, put them on first. H.E.O essentially works to regulate moisture levels in the skin and then retain them. But even after one night I noticed a massive improvement and it’s now a nightly essential – though it can also work to prep and boost skin before an event. (Due to packaging issues this launch has been delayed till 2021; but you can sign up to a waiting list on its website.)
Another good overnight treatment is Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Masque Hydratant (£44, spacenk.com). You would use this as the last step of your night-time routine, and it takes a similar approach to hydration as Medik8’s H.E.O, tackling the issue by boosting and sealing in moisture (it comes with an exfoliating glycolic acid, also pictured, which will help the mask to penetrate). It, too, is excellent at quenching parched-feeling skin.
For a daily moisturiser to help keep on top of the situation I recommend AHC Aqualuronic Cream (£32, lookfantastic.com). This is from a hydration-focused range from the cult South Korean skincare brand and centres around deploying the well-known hydrating molecule hyaluronic acid (HA). It also contains ceramides to strengthen and condition the skin barrier, and has a lovely lightweight texture. I use this on days when my skin feels dehydrated.
Another great addition to your day-to-day routine is Green People Nordic Roots Hyaluronic Booster Serum (£27, greenpeople.co.uk). This is also a HA-focused approach and contains hop flower extract to reduce pigmentation, too. Nordic Roots is a skincare range from the eco-aware brand Green People and the ingredients are certified Cosmos Natural by EcoCert as 100 per cent natural and 22.8 per cent from organic farming.
For an inexpensive option look to Superdrug Me+ Hyaluronic Booster (£5.99, superdrug.com). It won’t be as radical as the Medik8 or Drunk Elephant treatments but regular use will help to keep dryness at bay.
Gifts that give back
Great beauty purchases with a charitable edge include Aussie Hair 3 Minute Miracle (£4.99, superdrug.com): £1 from each sale will be donated to WWF to help restore Australian wildlife destroyed in January’s bushfires. Kloris (kloriscbd.com) has pledged £1 from every £15 CBD Bath Block & Melt to Help Refugees/Choose Love charity. Monpure will donate 15 per cent of profits on its Ultimate Scalp & Hair Health Gift Set* (£265, monpure.com) to The Little Princess Trust providing free real hair wigs to children undergoing cancer treatment.
*The ultimate scalp & hair health gift set contains: Hydrate and Soothe Scalp Serum, Clarifying Scalp Scrub, Nourish and Stimulate Scalp Mask, Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo, Strengthening Essence-Conditioner, Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum (pictured), Heal and Energise Jade Comb and Pure Silk Scrunchie Trio.
Every body will love…
The latest launch from skin expert Dr Sam Bunting this way comes – and it joins the growing number of body products with the same ingredient-driven focus as face care. Dr Sam’s Flawless Body Therapy includes 0.5 per cent bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, to clear pores and brighten and firm skin (without photosensitivity), niacinamide to boost the skin barrier and lactic acid to smooth. It has a dense texture but is instantly absorbed and leaves skin feeling great. Top notch. £29, drsambunting.com.
Beauty assistant: Alice Robertson