Skin savers for the season

RIGHT AS RAIN Extra moisturiser will help you feel comfortable in your own skin this time of year, when the elements can take a toll.

Beauty
Maggie Gibbons

Our cloudy, windy and wet climate can be extremely drying to the skin, and your skin can start to look pasty and lacklustre. This time of year, the skin definitely needs some extra pampering. While a good bracing walk can give you a rosy-cheeked glow, it can also cause broken veins and chapped skin. Winter presents a myriad of skin problems, many of which can only be sorted by a good skin drink.
If your skin has been feeling very dry recently, you will need something kinder and more helpful than your regular moisturiser. This is where facial oils come to the rescue. While I know some of you will be appalled at the thought of applying oil to your face, it’s worth remembering that oils have developed greatly. Plant oils are now lighter, and most products now actually contain essential oils – the crème de la crème of plant oils. Even the tiniest amount will give a dewy look to the skin. As always I recommend reading the ingredients carefully to ensure you don’t suffer any allergic reactions.
Oils are an ancient skincare treatment. The Queen of Sheba was even said to have had a almond plantation specially created, so she could have the oil extracted for her skin. Oil-based products will stay on your skin longer than water-based ones, which is why they are extremely beneficial during the colder seasons. Argan, almond, grape seed and rose oil all come highly recommended.
Irish company Kinvara deserve all the accolades they are getting for their rosehip oil. It provides instant comfort and radiance, and leaves skin looking dewy. Try it and be converted. It costs €32.95 and is available in good health stores around Mayo, or email the company directly at info@kinvaraskincare.com.
Roger and Gallet Bois d’Orange Huile Sublime is an orange-scented oil that smells delicious and can be used on your hair, face or body. It comes with a spray nozzle, which makes for easy, direct application. Argan oil, almond oil, camelia oil, macadamia oil, and evening primrose are just some of its ingredients. Available in selected chemists or online at roger-gallet.ie, it costs €25 for 100ml.
Roger & Gallet have also recently introduced Aura Mirabilis Legendary Cream – developed to hydrate and firm the skin, even out skin tone and illuminate and renew the complexion – and it’s pretty impressive. Not cheap at €45, but so worth it. My testers told me they noticed a considerable difference in skin appearance after a couple of uses, and were definitely hugely impressed with the skin-radiance boost.
Serums are light yet super absorbent and will help to seal in the moisture. To gain optimum effect you need to layer a serum under your moisturiser. They raise the bar significantly, as they penetrate deeper into the skin than regular moisturiser. Vichy Neovadiol Magistral (€35) does a great job.
Illuminating moisturisers play a blinder in this weather. Flormar do a brilliant one for €11.95, it’s actually a CC cream, which means it brightens the complexion. You will get it in selected chemists. MAC Strobe Cream at €35 is excellent also.
For these few months it’s worth taking care of your skin. Have a chat with your local chemist about what lines they have in store. Your skin will thank you for it – and if you start now, you’ll have glowing skin by Valentine’s day.

> Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.