Cold weather, ramped up heating and lack of sunlight can be unsettling for the skin. Tired and puffy eyes, redness, chapped lips and a general feeling of lacklustre are just some of the problems that crop up in winter. But fret not, at Luxuriate Life we have tried and tested some of the most exciting and innovative products on the market to make sure your 2020 winter skincare routine is on point. And once that’s sorted, we’ve thrown in a few fun and festive makeup treats to get the (zoom) party started…

Winter Skincare #1: La Prairie Platinum Rare Collection Haute Rejuvenation Cream

The wizards at this Swiss skincare brand have outshined themselves with this ultra-luxe, almost magical, moisturiser. Taking inspiration from Einstein’s theory of relativity – the higher the gravity, the slower time passes – and the rare metal platinum that was created when two stars collided billions of years ago,  La Prairie scientists have come up with a formula where “time is suspended”.  The pioneers of cellular therapy, La Prairie’s secret ingredients are its patented cellular complex and platinum multi-peptide. In simple terms, they act as a constant “loop of rejuvenation”. Science aside, the packaging is just dreamy. Weighty, discreet but with the brand’s signature class. After just four days of use, my previously tired and red skin feels soft, supple, dewy…all the delicious things of youth! It also sits perfectly under makeup and you only need the teeniest amount — this will last years. It has taken moisturiser to a cosmic level.

Available from La Prairie

Winter Skincare #2: SUQQU Powder Blush Compact

Suqqu is one of my favourite break-out beauty brands of 2020. It’s sleek, sophisticated and looks super in your handbag. SUQQU is Japanese for “posture with attitude” and is based on the principles of serenity and wellness. This palette has three blush shades and three highlighter shades and each can be layered with the others for a deep, multi-dimensional look. It also doubles up as a smart makeup mirror and goes brilliantly with SUQQU’s Comfort Lip Fluid Glow – a lovely long-lasting tint.

Available exclusively at Selfridges

Winter Skincare #3: The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser

I love this cleanser – you may not associate carrots with beauty but wait till you try it. Apply to skin dry and it glides on like butter (of course) and you can literally feel it ridding your face from grime. After washing off, your skin feels supple and beautifully clean. It’s infused with rosemary and Shea butter, too, and best used in the evenings.  The Butter Cleanser is suitable for all skin types, but particularly on oily skin as it balances oil production. And guess who else is a fan? Kylie Minogue. So it must be good…

Available from The Organic Pharmacy, £43

Winter Skincare #4: Kiss the Moon LOVE Rose Ritual Bedside Set

The set comes in beautiful but nocturnal-looking packaging and consists of pillow mist and hand cream. Both are wonderfully scented with rose, frankincense, palmarosa and ylang-ylang which produce a feeling of peace and harmony, perfect for dropping off. We put it to the test and the relaxing aroma of the pillow mist did just the trick. Nudged along by the frankincense, a renowned healing oil and enriched by Shea butter, the hand cream is also a joy to use. Highly recommended – especially as a Christmas present.

Available from Kiss The Moon, £30

Winter Skincare #5: Fuaraìn Active Moisture Cream

“Scottish spring water” sounds like a magic ingredient, doesn’t it? Cleansing, organic and home-grown – perfect for winter. Inspired by the Scots Gaelic word for spring, Fuaraìn Super Active Moisture Cream is a rich, hydrating and beautifully luxurious potion that smells divine. Alongside the magic Deeside mineral water, it’s blended with botanical actives like heather and horsetail.  A must for any Christmas stocking. 

Available from Fuaraìn Skincare

Winter Skincare #6: Dr Lamia 24 Hour Anti-Age Luxurious Cream

Created by top Knightsbridge cosmetic practitioner Dr Lamia Eltohamy, this newly launched moisturiser is superb. Rich, delicately scented and absolutely packed with vitamin E and other ingredients to increase skin cell life, it’s a must for those on the go (or to lather on at home, of course). It comes in a sophisticated gold and cream pot and is the epitome of “guilt-free glamour”.

Available from Dr Lamia

Winter Skincare #7: Dr. LEVY Switzerland’s 3Deep Cell Renewal Micro-Resurfacing Cleanser

This ace cleanser means business. And we love the subtle, medi-spa packaging. The micro-surfacing element adds a slight exfoliation aspect to the cream which can be intensified by applying straight to dry skin. Dr Phillip Levy is a laser and wound-healing specialist so you know his products are the real deal. No flowery packaging and perfumed scents here — this cleanser leaves your face feeling fresh and very clean.

Available from Cult Beauty

Winter Skincare #8: utan x Jamie Genevieve CBD Tanning Water

Infused with CBD and Scottish lavender oil, this patented formula works as an anti-inflammatory to soothe redness on the skin, as well boasting as anti-bacterial effects to reduce the appearance of breakouts. But best of all, this pretty potion gives your skin a fantastic and subtle glow. For darker shades, there is a 50% deeper version. Simply spray and go about your day!

Available from utan

Winter Skincare #9: Wild Beauty Day Cream with Blue Tansy Oil

You’ll struggle to find a brand more organic than this. Wild Beauty’s ingredients are all foraged from the Rhug Estate in North Wales. It even arrived nestled in a box of freshly shorn wool. This light but nourishing cream has a pleasing farm smell, too.  It targets wrinkles and dehydration and is enriched with plumping hyaluronic acid and a powerful antioxidant blend of organic raspberry seed, plum seed and blue tansy oils. It feels like pure British countryside on your face.

Available from Rhug Wild Beauty

Featured image courtesy of Alesia Kazantceva/Unsplash.

Read More: https://luxuriate.life/beauty-wellness/