WINTER SKINCARE TRIED AND TESTED

If regaining a natural glow is high on your agenda or your skin's simply craving a moisture boost, fear not as I’ve tested some of the strongest contenders in skincare right now. Clays and plasma masks, illuminating moisturisers and miracle oils – they're all present and accounted for. So, here’s my verdict on the best formulas to leave your skin feeling energised all winter long.

Smashbox, the cult LA brand born out of a photo studio, is known for makeup with staying power. The latest edition to join the family? The Primerizer: a hybrid primer and moisturiser. Although not quite a studio setting it did last a whole day in the ASOS office, holding my makeup in place and leaving it feeling hydrated come 6pm. Result.

Smashbox Primerizer, £30

Quick chemistry class: Perricone’s Chloro Plasma Mask releases bursts of chlorophyll, a green pigment that helps detoxify skin and fight breakouts. Immediately after, I could actually see and feel the difference in my skin – it's pretty cool to see the mask transform from a gel to a green clay, too.

Perricone MD Chloro Plasma Mask, £69

Dry, chapped lips are less than ideal for the festive season. Enriched with avocado oil and goji berries, this glossy lip plumper proved way more moisturising than the average lip balm. The best part? It reacts with your lips to create a custom shade, so you don’t need to bother with lipstick.

Smashbox O-plump Gloss, £19

My new solace to combat dull, tired-looking skin, Laura Mercier’s light-coverage tinted moisturiser leaves my skin looking brighter, more radiant and without needing to add foundation. To continue that no-makeup makeup look, a simple slick of mascara and nourishing lip balm will do the job.

Laura Mercier Illuminating Moisturiser, £34

Using a post-cleanser tonic has become part of my morning ritual. This rose-infused variation created by the green fingers of Pixi – the beauty brand famous for its botanical-based products – worked wonders to refresh and replenish my skin. Adding to my Saved Items immediately.

Pixi Holiday Rose Tonic, £10

Organic? Tick. Vegan? Tick. Loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants? Tick, tick, tick. With a high concentration of alpha-linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid), The Ordinary’s Chia Seed Oil is great for rejuvenating your skin when the chill takes its toll. PS I found it also strengthened my hair, too.

The Ordinary Virgin Chia Seed Oil (coming soon)

Lack of vitamin D, too much time spent on the tube... after a while my skin starts to suffer the consequences. Fortunately, Aussie label Sand & Sky has created the holy grail of clay masks that works to brighten up your complexion, regenerate skin cells and draw out impurities caused by pollution. The results? My pores were visibly more refined and my skin looked invigorated (thanks to a dose of hydrating glycerine).

Sand & Sky Clay Mask, £39.99

Glamglow began its journey creating masks for Hollywood’s finest before branching out into all kinds of skincare. The words ‘hydrated’, ‘glow’ and ‘moisturiser’ are like music to my ears. A water-based cream (with water from the volcanic Island of Jeju), I could actually feel the water droplets on my skin before they absorbed into a light moisturiser. 72 hours hydration. No, really.

Glamglow Waterburst Moisturiser (coming soon)