By Chloe Schneider
While it is easy to use the same products you trust all year round, it isn’t necessarily what’s going to be best for our skin. Climate changes and environmental impacts can lead to skin irritations, congested pores, dehydrated skin and a damaged complexion so it is vital you pay attention to how the seasons are affecting your skin and change your routine accordingly.
Harsh winds, heaters, hot showers and cold weather are all inevitable in the winter months but dry skin doesn’t have to be. With so many amazing super nourishing rich creams, moisturising cleansers and balancing products on the market, you can have healthy, hydrated skin all year round. If you ordinarily use light products, we suggest you try to inject one or two of these moisture rich products into your regime this winter- your skin will thank you.
Rescu. RECOMMENDS
The botanical SOS Serum
Aesop Damascan Rose Facial Treatment
This super hydrating oil is preservative-free, beautifully soothing and packed with vitamins A and E to restore parched skin. A blend of ten precious plant extracts including Rose Petal and Neroli blosson, all chosen for their hydrating and nourishing properties.
Rescu. ROADTEST: This is a truly magical product. Overnight, skin felt and looked instantly re-nourished and soothed. The glow getting serum is an absolute wonder for anyone who is disenchanted with their skin in colder months. Used as a pick me up or nightly treatment, the results are quite simply fabulous.
Available in Aesop stores, department stores and selected pharmacists or online at www.aesop.net.au ($73.00)
The perfect winter regime
L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Range for face
Using a high percentage of Shea butter for extreme moisture, this collection both heals and protects the skin. Shea butter is known for its ability to restore skin barrier function to protect against harsh climate conditions and maintain an optimal hydration level for 24 hours.
Rescu. Roadtest: Shea Butter accelerates cell renewal and provides incredible moisture; we found the range to leave skin feeling supple and strong from the very first use. The face soap is rich and creamy and the serum and face cream deliver on their promise.
Available at L’Occitane boutiques, department stores and selected pharmacies or online at www.loccitane.com.au Shea Fabulous Serum ($58.95) *pictured Shea Ultra Rich face cream ($56.95) Shea Ultra Rich face soap ($12.95)
The instant hydrator Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
Using rose and marshmallow to balance and hydrate the skin, Jurlique’s best selling mist is soft and easily absorbed, leaving a light moisture veil on the skin.
Rescu. Roadtest: Like most of the country, we are a little obsessed with this delicate mist. This is the perfect desk side and travel buddy. Spritz liberally throughout the day to refresh your make up, give yourself an instant aromatherapy pep and keep skin in top shape.
Available in Jurlique boutiques, department stores, pharmacies and specialty stores as well as online at www.jurlique.com.au ($23.00 for 30ml or $37.00 for 100ml)
The anti-aging collection
Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect collection
Elizabeth Arden’s plump perfect products work with snap-8, a peptide which supports collagen to smooth the appearance of surface lines and wrinkles. This range provides optimum hydration levels and moisture boosting ceramides along with an SPF 15 for protection against climate changes.
Rescu. Roadtest: This collection is the best year round option for mature skin and an excellent range to step up to in winter for skin that needs a little bit extra. Available at Elizabeth Arden counters or online at www.elizabetharden.com.au Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift and Firm Eye Cream SPF 15 ($95.00) Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra All Night Repair and Moisture Cream ($95.00) Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift and Firm Moisture Cream or Lotion With Sunscreen ($135.00)
The luxe wonder cream
Bergman Time Stop
The magic ingredient in this cream is Beta Glucan, an oat derived medical grade anti-oxidant, which is known to help the skin think it is young, and therefore act young. Using squalane (Olive), bisabolol and beeswax with vitamin E, F and A, this luxurious cream diminishes surface lines by delivering long-lasting moisturisation. Rescu. Roadtest: After you’ve given up on other moisturisers that claim to be super rich, try Bergman’s Time Stop. It sure packs a moisture-filled punch with a unique water in oil formula. The beeswax leaves skin feeling soft and flexible while vitamins and antioxidants work to soothe, nourish and lift the skin. We were seriously impressed with this cream; it is worth the higher price tag if your skin is in dire need of restoration.
Available at selected David Jones stores and spas. For more information visit www.spauniverse.com. ($210.00)
The stressed skin solution
Decleor Aromessence Neroli
Specially formulated to comfort and treat stressed skin, Aromessence Neroli decongests and softens the skin through an elixir of pure, natural essential oils.
Rescu. Roadtest: We found this serum/oil left the skin instantly radiant and softened but it’s the long term effects that are truly impressive. A wonderful addition to your beauty-regime with all the delicious benefits of aromatherapy. Decleor is a Rescu. favourite and this signature product puts your skin back in the game. Aromessence is available in different formulations to suit your individual skin concern.
Available in selected department stores and spas. For more information visit www.spauniverse.com ($130.00)
The organic balm cleanser
Antipodes Organic Grapeseed Butter cleanser
This super-nourishing cleanser uses the powerful new antioxidant Vinanza grape which helps repair free radical damage to the skin and reduce the visible signs of ageing in a balm formula that leaves even the driest skin satisfied.
Rescu. Roadtest: Antipodes cleanser leaves the skin restored and revitalized. We love that the lush golden cleanser doubles as a 30-minute mask for a deeper clean and hydrating mask when we have the time to pamper ourselves.
Available in David Jones, better pharmacies and online at www.antipodesnature.com ($46.00)
The quenching cream
Trilogy Ultra Hydrating Cream
Using active manuka honey, lavender and pure plant oils, this rich hydrating cream is an all-natural intensive hydrating formula perfect for dry skin.
Rescu. Roadtest: This beautifully concentrated cream can be used as a rinse-off masque for an instant moisture boost or a leave-on formula to battle persistent dryness and flakiness, meaning you can use it right throughout the year. We found this cream restored elasticity and left the skin feeling soft and supple.
Available in Myer stores, selected pharmacies and health food stores. For more information visit www.trilogyproducts.com ($35.00)
Image: Catherine Zeta Jones courtesy of PR Photos
