Body & beauty

Jo Fairley’s favourite dry-skin products

Our columnist lets us in on her favourite natural moisture-boosting secrets

Water, water, everywhere – and still, our skins are often as dry as the Sahara, in summer. But actually, it’s partly because of that water: seawater and swimming pools – not to mention using towels to dry our faces – rob skin of precious moisture. (As does air travel, though that’s a small price to pay for being able to travel again, frankly.)

Personally, I keep a veritable arsenal of skin-quenchers to hand, pretty much year-round – but there are some definite summer favourites, which I’m sharing below. The key, for me, is to look for skin-quenching ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerine at this time of year, because oilier products – which can be a boon in winter, helping skin’s barrier function – can sometimes block pores.

The rule of thumb? When it comes to moisture, more is always more…

Adaptology Hydro Pump Serum

If there’s one single ingredient that slakes skin’s thirst, it is hyaluronic acid, an ingredient capable of holding 1,000 times its molecular weight in water. It’s the star, here, in a rosewater-infused serum from the ‘sister’ range to Evolve skincare, designed to be pressed into skin for an instant plumping action.

Facetheory CeraQuench Renewal Cream M6

I’m magnetically drawn to any product with ‘quench’ in the name, and this delivers: a serious skin drink that’s boosted by oils from rosehip, jojoba and argan, ceramides, brightening vitamin C and CoQ10, plus a touch of retinol. (Not enough to upset my touchy skin, though.)

Balance Me Hyaluronic Mist

I keep the larger size (£18 for 30ml) on my desk year-round for a quick spritz, over make-up, whenever my skin’s feeling tight and parched. Simply pat into skin (so it doesn’t disturb your foundation), and you can almost hear it sigh with relief. You can also keep it in the fridge for an extra-cooling burst during this warmer weather.

Tata Harper Radiance Mask

This American-luxe naturals range recently launched a trio of products specifically targeted at sensitive skins, of which the star (for me) is this luscious, instantly soothing, moisture-powered mask. Leave on for 20 minutes for a quick skin drink – or I like to allow it to sink in overnight, further helping to restore skin’s all-important barrier function.

Sukin Deeply Hydrating Biodegradable Sheet Mask

I try to keep my use of single-use products to the minimum – but when skin’s crying out for moisture, a sheet mask still delivers in a way that nothing else seems to. After use, this cotton mask will at least biodegrade in six months, and it infuses skin with a deeply rehydrating blend of marine ingredients.

Jo Fairley is the co-founder of Green & Blacks and author of The Beauty Bible. Head online to see her latest projects at josephinefairley.com