Winter Skincare

This winter is proving to be extremely cold and is playing havoc with my skin.

Every winter I have gone through bottles of facial oil. Facial oil I find has the most dramatic effect on my skin and really helps to reduce dry patches and redness on my face. I recall last winter that I stopped use of my regular facial oil prematurely and my racing friend commented on my skin's dry appearance, saying that she had never seen my face look like this before! This facial oil has obviously been indispensable to my skin and it protests when I stop wearing it!

This year and towards the end of last winter I've roadtested other brands apart from my usual, the usual being a medium priced 'organic' Australian brand. In addition, I've been using a rather premium US brand which is really only for night. Unfortunately, the oil seems to have changed in fragrance (I'd actually forgotten I had it in my drawer) - it smells distinctly like olive oil. Never mind, I'll use what's left (a small third) and see how effective it is.

I've also started using a luxury Parisian brand of facial oil during the day and night. One of my Parisian friends has told me that her sister has used this brand and seen remarkable results. I've baulked at the pricing on the face creams, for now I've purchased a couple of the facial oils, a couple of the serums, an eye cream and an eye serum. I'm using the eye serum from the range also but am yet to try the other products.

Instead of just using the facial oil as a serum as I have done in the past I am now using it prior to serum. So I should receive even better results?

After three weeks of using the Parisian brand I have to say that my skin is still dry. I see the lines of hydration when I smile. After discovering my US facial oil from last year I have switched to using it during the night only and in place of the Parisian oil, but just at night. Flakes of dryness have begun appearing around my nose with this change in regime, unfortunately. I've contacted the distributor and unfortunately they can't clearly identify what this facial oil does, apart from imparting a glow and vitamins. But does it hydrate? It feels like it does but why the flakiness?

So for the moment I'm switching back to my tried and tested organic product, at least until I complete the US facial oil.

Why do my eyes feel like sandpaper? I know I can't use any of these facial oils close to my eyes but where does that leave my poor eyes? I am using the Parisian eye serum but it seems too light. In the day I use my Australian organic eye cream. Maybe not hydrating enough.

Interestingly, I so far find that my dependable Australian organic brand to be the best. As I say, I have used bottles over the past two years and for the pricing, it is a terrific alternative. My skin absorbs it like a sponge and if it does it's job so efficiently, it has my pick.