how to winter-proof your skin

(L-R, top to bottom: cherry carmex, laura mercier creme brûlée body scrub, nuxe huile prodiguese, clinique all about eyes cream, caudalie vinexpert radiance day fluid, manuka doctor repairing skin cream, H20 face oasis moisturiser primer, trilogy rosehip oil antioxidant plus, rodial brazilian tan)

winter can be rough on your skin. if you're not freezing your face outdoors, you're drying it out indoors with the central heating all the way up. while every season presents a few challenges, and as much as i love, love, love winter (hot chocolate! bonfires! an excuse to always wear a jumper!) i'll concede that winter is the worst for your skin. i don't want to compromise on having a bit of a glow (as in a healthy one, not a faintly blue sickly one) just because it's cold out, and i certainly want to make sure i'm keeping my skin healthy and nourished. heavy moisturisers make some people's skin congested, whereas light ones can just dry out other people's skin, and if you're partying a lot over christmas and new year, you're going to need even more TLC to keep yourself looking fresh. i've whittled down my beauty cupboard to a few things that really, really work. nuxe's huile prodiguese is a new find for me; literally a drop or two smoothed over cleansed skin before bed packs in moisture and gives a dewy glow. you can use this oil anywhere on the body, and run it through your hair for deep conditioner. laura mercier's creme brûlée honey bath is a complete treat; it smells utterly divine and is perfect for warming you up after a frozen day out. plus you'll smell completely delicious afterwards, and have the softest skin. carmex kind of goes without saying - the only thing to really keep chapped lips at bay, and cherry is just the sweetest. i adore trilogy's rosehip oil antioxidant plus - this isn't winter specific, in fact, i've been using it for months. a couple of drops morning and night just make your skin...better? it clarifies, evens out skin tone, locks in moisture and gives your skin a healthy glow. i'm an utter addict. manuka doctor's bee venom skin cream is like carmex for the face; deliciously tingly, put it on when you get in from the cold and feel your skin soak up all the moisture. it's so nourishing, and you can feel it putting your skin back together. this h20 primer is a dry skin saviour; put it on before you moisturise your face, and it helps your skin absorb and hold moisture for longer. clinique's all about eyes is a long-term favourite for me; intensely moisturising, it'll keep your eyes healthy and stop concealing caking on your skin. and finally, caudalie's vinexpert radiance day fluid; a perfect pick me up after a sleepless night, and rodial's brazilian tan. a pea-sized amount mixed in with your regular body moisturise gives a subtle, caramel glow.