The festive season is fast approaching, and with it comes late nights, a packed out social calendar and perhaps one too many glasses of bubbly — all of which can take their toll on your skin.
But fear not; get ahead by arming yourself with an arsenal of glow-giving {skin care} superheroes that will stop dull, tired, dehydrated skin in its tracks. Here’s what we recommend…
An ultra-potent eye cream
Dark circles and puffy eyes are a tell-tale sign that you’ve been burning the candles at both ends. Try Sunday Riley’s {5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum}. The serum is powered by a 6% retinoid complex — but don’t worry, that’s not a recipe for irritated eyes. The complex uses 5% retinoid ester (which is much more gentle on skin, without sacrificing efficacy) alongside liposome-encapsulated retinol (an exceptionally stable form of retinol). Together with niacinamide this works to brighten, smooth and hydrate the delicate skin around your peepers.
A green smoothie for your skin
Just because your December diet consists of mince pies, Quality Street and copious amounts of mulled wine, that doesn’t mean your skin can’t still be getting its 5-a-day. Skingredients’ {Skin Veg Serum} is packed with hydrating heavyweight hyaluronic acid as well as all manner of fruit and vegetable extracts — including broccoli extract, tomato extract and radish root extract — to nourish skin with a much-needed dose of antioxidants.
An irritation-free moisturiser
You probably already know that the answer to a compromised skin barrier is to soothe, soothe and soothe some more. But if you’re piling on ultra-hydrating creams and oils with reckless abandon, you run the risk of blocking pores and causing breakouts — particularly if you struggle with oily or acne-prone skin. Peace Out’s {Repairing Moisturiser} is a great option instead: lightweight but exceptionally nourishing, it’s packed with bakuchiol to refine pores, and ceramides to nurse your skin barrier back to health.
A superfood solution
All the acids — none of the irritation. That’s the theory behind Youth To The People’s {Mandelic Acid + Superfood Unity Exfoliant}, which uses a potent-yet-gentle cocktail of three different acids to clear and smooth skin while boosting cell turnover. We’re talking 3% Mandelic Acid (an AHA), 2% Salicylic Acid (a BHA) and 1% Gluconolactone (a PHA). And because it’s as essential to apply your greens as it is to eat them, this is all supplemented with a superfood blend of kale, spinach and green tea extracts to plump up skin beautifully.
A gently exfoliating toner
Congested skin is the enemy of a natural, lit-from-within glow — which is why you need a gentle (never irritating) toner to dislodge any build up of oil, dirt and make up from pores while also smoothing fine lines. Biossance’s {Squalane + BHA Pore Minimising Toner} does all that (thank you, naturally exfoliating willowbark extract) while also offering thirsty skin a glug of hydration, courtesy of added squalane.
A thirst-quenching serum
Shots, shots, shots! Yep, everyone’s favourite indulgence is just as much at home in your skin care routine as it is at the bar. A little different from your festive tequila slammers, Sweet Chef’s {Celery Juice + Hyaluronic Acid Serum Shot} is all about pumping your skin full of hydration to keep it soft and supple. In fact, hyaluronic acid is famed for its ability to hold many, many times its own weight in moisture, which is pulled into the skin to plump up and smooth your complexion. All that, and no sore head the next day? It’s a Christmas miracle.
A double whammy
When you’re beginning to feel a little festive fatigue (and your skin’s starting to show it too), turn to KORA Organics’ {Turmeric Glow Moisturiser}. This deeply hydrating formula employs a unique delivery system known as a liposome to encapsulate the turmeric, liquorice and noni fruit blend, enhancing their bioavailability to more effectively condition your skin. Be prepared to glow glow glow!