A couple of weeks into January and the weather is cold with a capital C, which means we’re hunting out nourishing beauty buys to keep our skin in top health. Here, we share five of our favourite serums, acid exfoliators and tools to boost moisture and skin health.
The Jade Gua Sha, £10, Beauty Bay
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing method where you use a facial tool to massage the skin to reduce tension, aid in lymphatic drainage and help your skincare products penetrate deeper. We love this one by Beauty Bay. Cleanse, tone (if you want to) and put on your nightly serum before grabbing your gua sha tool and massaging your face in upward motions. Follow the below tutorial to learn how to do it properly and gain all the delicious benefits. Finish with a thick night cream to lock everything in.
The Ordinary Buffet, £12.70 for 30ml
Beloved for their pocket change prices, yet super impactful formulations, this particular serum by The Ordinary is the biggest weapon in their arsenal against the signs of ageing.
To get all science-y, the formula combines Matrixyl™ 3000 peptide complex (with palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7), Matrixyl™ synthe’6™ peptide complex (with palmitoyl tripeptide-38), SYN™-AKE peptide complex (with dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzylamide diacetate), ARGIRELOX™ peptide complex (with acetyl hexapeptide-8, pentapeptide-18), Postbiotic complex (with Lactococcus lactis lysate), in a base of 11 skin-friendly amino acids and multiple hyaluronic acid complexes.
No we don’t really know what that all means either, but what we do know is that this stuff works! Best applied after cleansing and before heavier creams and lotions, this serum not only targets ageing, but also combination skin, uneven tone and dehydration.
No 7 Lift and Luminate in Deeply Honey, £18.50, no7beauty.co.uk
For a mid-coverage foundation that doesn’t cake, you can’t go far wrong with this option from time-honoured brand, No 7. A small amount goes a long way; one pump is enough to cover the face with a blending brush or sponge, and then simply go back in with more on the areas that require a bit more touching-up. Skin looks glowy and radiant while sufficiently even and covered. The perfect everyday base for your toolkit.
Pyunkang Yul, £15, Skinsider
This peeling gel by K-Beauty brand Pyunkang Yul helps revitalise dull skin. Best used only once or twice a week, you pour out a little blob of the gel and rub over a damp face and feel as dead skin comes away in little balls. A little disgusting, but good to see the product is working!
Underneath is a fresh face of smooth and hydrated skin. Reviewers have described it as being ‘incredible’ and ‘literally the best exfoliating product ever’. Try for yourself to see what you think.
Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £17, Look Fantastic
Ceramides and hyaluronic acid; a super hydration combo. This serum has them both in spades and is the perfect lightweight serum to layer under day creams and make-up for a moisture boost.
Developed by dermatologists, it doesn’t contain artificial fragrances so will keep easily-irritated skin happy, too.
Look Fantastic also have a ‘free delivery on orders over £25’ deal, so it’s worth seeing what else they have on offer to take advantage of free delivery.
