With lots of festive food and drink being consumed as well as the skin being exposed to heating and the cold continuously over the festive period, skin can become irritated, puffy and dull.

Here are our resident skin expert Charlotte Connoley’s top tips in keeping your skin looking its best this Christmas:

• However tired you are, always remember to remove any make up before bed. My favourite make up remover to use during winter is a balm or a cleansing oil as it doesn't strip my skin of essential oils. Super Facialist’s Rosehip Skin Therapy Meltaway Cleansing Balm is such a treat to use as it smells incredible and gets the job done. Always remember to spend time massaging it in and remove with a flannel or muslin.
• Use the Chrimbo Limbo time between Christmas and New Year wisely and give your skin a rest from wearing makeup. This is a chance to really indulge your skin with treatments including face masks and applying oils and serums.
• Exfoliate your skin regularly with an AHA (alpha-hydroxy-acid) such as our Salicylic Acid Smooth & Clarify Exfoliating Toner- apply after cleansing, on a cotton pad. Or if you prefer a physical exfoliator, you will love our Vitamin C+ Brighten Micro Polish Wash which removes dead skin cells and unblock pores forming the perfect canvas for serums, oils and moisturisers.
• Keeping the skin hydrated and nourished is important over the festive season. I recommend using a hydrating serum such as the Vegan Collagen Plumping Serum as it’s seriously hydrating and nourishing. With ingredients including Vegan Collagen, which is naturally sourced from the Acacia Tree and Red Seaweed this serum will leave your skin incredibly dewy.
• Try massaging your skin with a facial oil such as the Rosehip Hydrate Facial Oil as it will keep the skin nourished giving you that radiant glow, we all desire. Massaging your skin has a number of benefits and is a great way to start or end your skincare routine in the morning/evening as it wakes you up and gets rid of any puffiness or relaxes your body and gets you ready to sleep.
• A Facial Lymphatic drainage massage will allow the blood to flow to the surface which creates more Oxygen giving a plumped, smoother, youthful appearance. It also destresses the muscles, gets rid of toxins via the lymphatic system, boosts circulation and improves the skin texture. Always start at the décolletage massaging along the collar bone to open up the Lymphatic system then move your hands outwards and upwards towards the ears where there are many lymph glands.

• Don’t be put off by using facial oils. Many people are put off by oils as they believe they can clog the skin, but this is not the case. Oils can rebalance the skin and as we age we need extra oils for the skin to hydrate and nourish the skin especially in Menopause. If you have an oilier complexion, then an oil may feel heavy on the skin, and you may prefer to use an oil free moisturiser instead.
•       Always protect your skin with a Moisturiser and SPF- even in Winter. Yes, you heard me right. Even on the dullest of days an SPF will give your skin a layer of protection it needs from any rays that penetrate the clouds. The Vitamin C+ Brighten & Defend Serum SPF50+ is perfect to apply before makeup. NOTE: If you are using a retinol product in your skincare routine then SPF is a must to ensure your skin doesn't become irritated or sensitive.

Remember, it is important to up your intake of hydration and supplements over this period too and exercise if you can as it will help with mind and mood too.