Top ten essential winter beauty saviours

Wonderful winter. Chunky scarves and thick knitted socks, hot chocolate and comfort food, snow that sparkles with diamonds and the promise of a log fire and a good book. Yes, we can’t deny that the chilly winter months are full of treats but they certainly don’t treat our skin, lips or locks particularly kindly. Fortunately, these essential beauty items are here to save the day.

1. Facial moisturiser

The number-one winter beauty essential. Exposed to frosty temperatures, chilly winds and sharp sunshine, your face has a pretty rough ride throughout the cooler months and can become dry, flaky, irritated and sore very easily. Invest in a high quality moisturiser with SPF and apply generously morning and evening to keep skin happily hydrated.

2. Moisturising face mask

To give your skin an extra hit of magic moisture, apply a facial mask once or twice a week. Sanctuary’s Moisture Boosting Mask (15ml sachet, £2.03) gives you the perfect excuse to indulge in some quality pampering time while renewing and revitalising your skin at the same time. Winner.

3. Lip balm

Chapped lips are a beauty no-no, whatever the weather. Make sure your pout stays kissable this winter by keeping a moisture-rich lip balm handy. Vaseline Lip Therapy with Cocoa Butter (£1.99) will do the job or, if you’re feeling creative, get your hands dirty and make your very own Hemp and Honey Lip Balm.

4. Body moisturiser

Even though you’re wrapped up warm under layers of clothing for the majority of the winter months, your skin still needs attention. All over body moisturiser applied liberally every day will keep your skin baby soft and gorgeously smooth. We give The Body Shop’s Cocoa Butter (£12.50) a big thumbs up as it’s fabulously rich and nourishing.

5. Exfoliator

Banish dry, flaky patches of skin by exfoliating once or twice a week. Sugar scrubs are perfect for buffing away rough skin and will leave you smelling like a goddess. Apply in circular motions onto dry skin before getting into the shower then rinse to reveal silky, radiant skin.

6. Intense conditioning hair treatment

Split ends, static and super dry hair is common in cold weather. As well as using conditioner after shampoo, invest in a deep conditioning hair treatment to lock in hydration. We love Moroccanoil’s Intense Hydrating Mask (£24.85), which is rich in argan oil and, used weekly, will leave hair feeling smooth and silky. For seriously thirsty locks, apply a mask and leave on overnight.

7. Hand cream

Our poor hands do so much for us, the least we can do is treat them to a mini manicure a couple of times a day. Reward dry, hardworking hands with a rich, nourishing hand cream – L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream (£17.50) is an all-time favourite and all-round miracle worker.

8. Cuticle oil

Cold weather can cause cuticles to become rough and sore. Keep dryness at bay and protect your nails by rubbing some cuticle oil gently onto fingernails. OPI’s Avoplex Cuticle Oil (£10.25) comes in a handy pen so you can use it on the go. Alternatively, if the bank balance is running low, head to the kitchen and use a drop of olive oil as a substitute.

9. Foot balm

Cracked heels and rough, flaky feet are not only uncomfortable, but also unsightly. Treat tootsies to a much-needed surge of hydration by applying a heavy-duty foot cream before bedtime and covering feet with snuggle worthy socks. In the morning, your toes will be soft and supple and ready to go.

10. All-round skin saviour

If you buy one cold weather beauty product this winter, make sure it’s Elizabeth Arden’s world-renowned Eight Hour Cream (£25). An incredible multi-tasker that soothes, restores and protects all at once, apply to lips, feet, elbows, heels, nails and anywhere else that needs a bit of TLC. Stash this in your handbag and banish chapped skin and rough patches on the go. Simples!

Marion Poerio