If the shorter days are well and truly taking their toll, then it might not just be your body and mind that need waking up. These five ingredients are all natural and will help to revive tired skin throughout winter.
1. Green Coffee
Just as caffeine can be essential for waking us up, the same thing can be said for your skin! Caffeine from green coffee extract has both immediate and long term effects in helping to keep skin firm. This multi-tasking ingredient also contains abundant phyto-nutrients to protect and perk up the eye area.
Try it in Trilogy's CoQ10 Eye Recovery Concentrate (£25.50, trilogyproducts.com), a refreshing roll-on to tone and brighten with co-enzyme Q10, caffeine, Glycablend™. The massaging roller combined with horse chestnut and green coffee helps microcirculation to diminish dark circles. A gem to keep on hand at all times, this fragrance-free formula can be applied to cleansed skin before moisturising or over make-up.
2. Dragon's Blood Sap
One of the most powerful antioxidants in the world, Dragon's Blood Sap has been used by Amazonian tribes for thousands of years.
Testing of Dragon's Blood Sap in its pure form resulted in a 40% increase in the number of skin cells responsible for collagen and elastin production.
Try it in Ekia's Highly Active Radiance Serum (£49.99, Hollandandbarrett.com) certified organic Dragon's Blood Sap is combined with extracts of Blueberry, Lemon, Orange and Sugar Cane to naturally exfoliate the skin's surface. Liquorice Extract helps to reduce pigmentation marks and antioxidant-packed Cranberry Extract protects the skin against free-radical damage and pollution.
3. Hemp Oil
Hemp Oil is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals which have been shown to produce beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as hydrating the skin and helping to prevent the signs of ageing.
Try it in Dr Organic's Hemp Oil 24 Hour Rescue Cream (£8.99, Holland & Barrett). This nourishing cream is proven to lock in moisture for up to 24 hours. Combining organic Hemp Oil and essential fatty acids with Beeswax, Borage Oil, Horestail, Hops and Hibiscus which work together to effectively nourish and soothe the skin. The formula can be used on dry, damaged, sun exposed and sensitive skin, leaving it feeling intensely moisturised, instantly restored and visibly healthier all day long.
4. Bee Venom
The combination of enzymes, peptides and amino acids in Purified Bee Venom (PBV™) work on the skin to encourage naturally occurring cell regeneration, boost collagen formation and accelerate the recovery of damaged skin cells.
Try it in Manuka Doctor’s Illusionist Rapid Lift Mask (£29.99, manukadoctor.co.uk), nature's Botox' Purified Bee Venom (PBV™) is combined with key active ingredients and moisturising Manuka Honey to plump and lift tired skin whilst diminishing the appearance of wrinkles within ten minutes of application. ApiRefine Illusionist Rapid Lift Mask instantly rejuvenates skin whilst deeply nourishing to help stimulate collagen growth, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and renew damaged skin cells, leaving skin brighter, firmer and visibly younger.
5. Rosemary
Stimulating, invigorating, revitalising and warming, rosemary provides a pick me up for the skin and improves circulation.
Try it in Weleda's Skin Food (£6.95 for 30ml, weleda.co.uk), a universal saviour of dry, rough skin. With extracts of gentle viola tricolor, calendula and chamomile, in a rich, thick base of oils and beeswax, Skin Food loves your skin back to its best.