Winter skin savers

So, it is pretty flipping chilly and I've got my coat and scarf out. In the coming weeks I will no doubt be wearing a hat and gloves too. At home, I have the central heating totally cranked up, in my car the heating is set at 24 celsius and at work, the radiators are on full blast.

Cosy as it is, this adds up to major trouble for my skin.

As you know, that makes me very angry indeed. I'm a big believer in keeping you skin tip-top, because after that the make up just looks so much better. But it is a real struggle and requires some tweaking from your ordinary routine to a new winter regimen.

Here are some of the products that are my winter essentials.

Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser

This cleanser is really fabulous during this time of year. My face can feel pretty beaten up because of the chill, the wind and then the heat, but this cleanser really soothes the skin. And it cleans a treat. This is perfect for this time of year as it doesn't clog the pores, washes grime and make up away beautifully, and reduces redness.

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter

If I need a cleanser which is a tiny bit more enriching but still cleans like a dream, I turn to this rich and creamy Clarins wash. Goodness, it makes your skin feel so good and nourished that you don't need to rush and put your moisturiser on. A real treat and I tend to use it a few evenings a week.

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

Yes, I know, I love Dermalogica. But with good reason. The products are amazing, and this is a real wonder product in my view. I actually do not use it in the recommended way, which is slather it on, leave for 15 minutes and then wash off. I actually only use it in the morning and I like to smooth it on after washing my face, leave it to absorb and then apply my moisturiser. I use a blob about the size of a 5 penny piece. Skin hydration is vital - the skin cells plump up and as such your complexion is smoother, brighter and more youthful.

Avon Anew Clinical Lift and Firm Pro Serum

This is the serum that I like to use after I wash my face of an evening. The serum is seriously silky and glides onto skin beautifully. After application my face looks and feels much smoother and a lot firmer too! A real treat for tired skin.

Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser

I really like this a lot. It is light but very moisturising, repairs and protects but is not greasy. It absorbs well and really is great for under my day make up. Big fan. It's not pricey at all so you can afford to splash out on other items like the facial wash or the masque. It also works really well with these other products. So don't be afraid to mix and match your skincare brands.

Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter

This is my winter skin saver secret weapon. I know it's for babies' bums, but to be honest it is such a dream cream I cannot live without it. While I know it doesn't have anti-ageing properties, I also know that patting a dab of this wonderful olive oil, lavender and chamomile-scented 'set oil' into my face of an evening after a particularly cold or windy day, makes my skin feel and look amazing. It's cheap as chips too and chemical-free!

Product of the day!

I am a big advocate of Dermalogica, as you know.

And just recently, I tried a cleanser that I hadn't yet come across. I decided to give the Ultracalming Cleanser a go and, what a great decision!

What I love about this facial wash, is the soothing effect it has on my skin.

It has calmed the red bits around my nose (I've got a cold, you see) and really reduces the tightness that I sometimes feel.

Also, and this is a big plus, it's great for blokes too! The Other Half has taken to using it as it is great after a shave - very calming and soothing.

Get yourselves a bottle and let me know how you get on.

Products of the day!

I know it should only be one, but I simply could not decide which one I loved best.

Scrubs are essential to keep the skin smooth, healthy and glowing. Some make the mistake of over-scrubbing, either by exfoliating every day or by scrubbing in the same way they would clean the oven. Don't. Really, you are not doing yourself nor your skin any favours.

Scrub no more than TWICE a week, max. Squeeze a blob about the size of a five penny piece onto your fingertips and gently in small circular movements work it around your face. I pay a bit of extra attention around my jawline and either side of my nose.

Now, the good bit, which scrubs can I not live without?

Well, my constant bathroom companion is Dermalogica's Skin Prep Scrub. Somebody introduced me to this about six years ago and I honestly can never thank that person enough. it is gentle to the dermis, but blimey does it get rid of the nasties - the lumps, bumps, spots, dry bits and so on.

I cannot praise this skin miracle-worker enough and there not a single negative I can think to say about it. It really is brilliant.

However, there is a new scrub that has had such a dramatic impact on my beauty regimen that I really rate it as highly as Skin Prep Scrub. It is Aubrey Organics Jojoba Meal and Oatmeal Mask and Scrub.

I haven't tried it as a mask yet - but I will.

The scrub, is dreamy.

The meal is ground quite finely so you feel the scrubbing effect but not the sandy-grainy feel that can sometimes put people off using scrubs. It is soothing but also gets stuck in there - any little imperfections and breakouts just go the next day. Naturally, if used a couple of times a week for a few weeks you will really notice a major difference in your skin.

Both these scrubs work - they really don't just do the trick, they really give your skin a 'lift' and leave you glowing.

Product of the day!

Hydration. It is essential for a perfect complexion but so many of us, though well-moisturised are not well-hydrated.

It's not just about drinking water, although that will help keep you skin cells nice and plump.

My best beauty bag secret without fail is Dermalogica's Skin Hydrating Masque.

Dermalogica recommend applying it to your skin, leaving it for 10 minutes and then washing it off. And I'm sure it works beautifully.

But, I do not use it according to the directions, although by all means do.

I apply a thin layer all over, but particularly around my eyes, chin and forehead - these are my dry spots.

I let it absorb a little and then apply my moisturiser. So, I use it as a sort of serum.

Honestly, give it a go. Your skin will be claar, fresh and look amazing!

Feel good!

I'm a huge fan of Dermalogica products. Nothing quite makes my skin glow like their Skin Prep Scrub, £22 followed by a good dose of Skin Hydrating Masque, £27!

But not only does Dermalogica make your skin feel good, but they can make you feel good too.

The kind-hearted folk have joined the FITE initiative. The Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship program contributes US$1 when you enter your code on the website, wwwjoinfite.org . The codes can be found on Dermalogica's specially green packaged products.

These products help female entrepreneurs in deprived areas of the world who would not be able to access capital or even credit. In fact, you can even specify which industry and part of the old you would like to benefit from your purchase.

So, if you want to help make a difference, buy any of the following products, enter you code and look good as well as feel great, with Dermalogica!

Join the FITE with these products

Daily Microfoliant £31

Precleanse £28

Skin Hydrating Booster £36

Total Eye Care £29

Intensive Eye Repair £33