Winter Skincare Saviours: The New Additions

It's been a snow covered weekend in many parts of the UK, and I've been slapping on all sorts of lotions and potions to help protect my skin from the worst of the freezing cold elements (hurry up Summer!). Here are a couple of new additions that have been working a treat!

Best for Reducing Redness/Inflammation: Sanatio Naturalis 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil* (10ml, £22, link)

I use Lavender Oil all year round, but I find it particularly useful during the Winter months as a natural way to treat any redness and inflammation caused by the cold weather. I like to mix just a drop or two with my daily moisturiser in the morning to give my skin some extra protection, and it's also ideal for mixing with barrier lotions to calm down eczema flareups. It your budget can stretch to it, it's worth investing in a bottle that's made with just the pure essential oil, with no other preservatives or artificial ingredients/fillers added. This one from Sanatio Naturalis is simply 100% high grade/quality lavender essential oil.

Best for Nails: Nail HQ All In One Treatment* (10ml, £7.99, link)

It can be easy to forget about your nails, yet a little TLC can go a long way. My nails always feel especially delicate at this time of the year, and are prone to becoming more brittle with a higher chance of them splitting/breaking off (the struggle is real). You can remedy this problem by keeping cuticles hydrated and by applying a nail treatment to help strengthen them up again. There are loads on the market, but one of the best budget friendly buys is from Nail HQ. Their all-in-one treatment is formulated with Argan Oil and Acai Berry, and I'd go so far as calling this a dupe for OPI Nail Envy as it gave me very similar results for almost half the price. If you have brittle, weak nails, this is definitely worth a try.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Indeed Labs 10balm Soothing Cream* (30ml, £19.99, link)

Launched late last year, this new release from Indeed Labs have been a worthwhile addition to my winter skincare routine. 10balm is a multi-purpose cream that features ten of nature's most effective healing ingredients (including the likes of Honey, Royal Jelly, Baobab Oil, Vitamin E, Arnica and Buriti Oil to name a few). You can apply it anywhere to instantly soothe irritated skin, and it's free from fragrance, parabens and artificial colourants. A great cream for calming sensitive skin and for topping up moisture levels as and when your skin needs it.

Best for Dry Skin: Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Treatment Lotion* (150ml, £22.50, link)

Another new product launch that I've been enjoying using since Winter started, comes from Aveda. Their Hydrating Treatment Lotion is the latest addition to their popular Botanical Kinetics line, and it's essentially an essence that you can add as an extra step to your skincare routine when it's feeling extra dry or dehydrated. It uses a blend of algae extracts and naturally derived humectants to super charge the skin's ability to absorb moisture, whilst keeping it thoroughly hydrated at the same time. I've been using it around 2-3 times a week instead of a serum (after toning, before moisturiser), and my skin has been looking a lot more plumped up and noticeably less dehydrated around the top of my cheeks. It sinks in quickly and doesn't feel greasy.

Best Budget Buy: Superdrug Optimum PhytoHydrate Anti-Dehydration Birch Water Day Cream SPF 15* (50ml, £14.99, link) 

If you're on a budget with your skincare, you can't go wrong with Superdrug's own brand products. Everything is certified cruelty free and most products are also suitable for vegans. The latest Birch Water range has been created with Swiss skincare specialists, and harnesses the natural hydrating benefits of Birch Water, making it a must-try for anyone with dry or dehydrated skin. This Day Cream is great for Winter and feels like a soft, protective coat against the elements. It also has the benefit of SPF 15 which I love as I can be a little lazy with sunscreen when it's cold and grey outside.

Best Multi-Purpose Oil: BON Liquid Gold Pure Tissue Oil* (100ml, £9.99, link)

There really couldn't have been a better name given to this fantastic multi-purpose oil from BON. Their Liquid Gold Pure Tissue Oil can be used as an intensive moisturiser for lots of different skincare concerns such as scars, stretch marks, wrinkles and dehydrated skin. Made from a blend of Grape Seed, Rosehip and Avocado oils, with added Vitamin E for good measure, Liquid Gold is one of the best green beauty / natural alternatives to products like Bio Oil that I've tried. A little goes a long way as well!

What are your Winter skincare saviours?

Have you tried any of these?

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