Beauty: Prep your skin for a long dry winter 

 …with my pick of the freshest super-hydrators  

I’ve been inspired to look at complexion boosters this week for the simple reason that three products – all of them designed for the face – have stood out to me amid new launches. I’d like to introduce you to them.

First, on the skincare front is the new capsule offering from Elizabeth Arden: this time the focus is on hydrating hyaluronic acid (HA). Though as the formula also has ceramides, this is a bit of a double whammy in terms of skin help: moisture and plumpness come from the HA and those ceramides help to build skin health and strength while also sealing in moisture.

If you’re an aficionado and looking for information about different molecular weights of the HA then I’m afraid you won’t find it here (often hyaluronic serums use larger and smaller weights: the smaller can penetrate deeper and moisturise from within; the larger stays mainly on the surface of the skin and evaporates faster). This version is not about that but rather has a far smaller than normal size (500 times smaller, to be precise) so it can penetrate four times deeper for extra and longer-lasting hydration (regular readers may remember that this was also the approach taken by Dior for its Capture Totale Cell Energy Super Potent Serum which I wrote about a few months ago). The capsule is biodegradable and the product is free from added fragrance. You can use it both morning and night (but I go for mornings) and it should be applied before moisturiser (though I find this is often enough on its own and works well as a primer). Elizabeth Arden New York Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum (£45 for 30 capsules, elizabetharden.co.uk).

Morphe’s new Hint Hint Skin Tint (£16, uk.morphe.com) is essentially a water-based foundation but of the sheerest nature – it can build from a super-light to medium coverage. I really rate it and it gives a healthy glowy finish plus it feels invisible on the skin. It comes in 20 shades, which isn’t loads but I find that the watery consistency makes the shades less specific and easily blendable. Also, on the website, they explain the best shades for different undertones which makes it easier to find the right one for you.

Lastly, L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye-Cream in a Concealer (£9.99, nationwide). This is a very creamy textured concealer as it is indeed part skincare cream. I like this, not because it may help with any fine lines, but because that added moisturisation element helps the eye area to stay not just feeling but looking more hydrated. It also keeps make-up staying fresher for longer. Available in eight shades.

@edwinaingschambers

 New body creams that won’t break the bank  

And on to body care. It isn’t a new idea to make your body creams work as hard as the products that you put on your face, but new brand The Solution is really making a selling point out of this. It’s going big on talking about active ingredients – and doing it all for just £9.99 for 200ml. Think of this as a bit like cult facial skincare brand The Ordinary but for a body range.

So there’s Vitamin C Brightening Body Lotion (fairly self-explanatory but great for radiance); a Retinol Smoothing Body Lotion to help with dark spots, evening skintone and firming; a Salicylic Acid Clear Skin Body Gel to help with body breakouts; Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Body Lotion (does what it says) and Collagen Perfecting Body Cream to help with dryness and elasticity. It’s been created by the Teddington-based parent beauty company Brand Architekts, which also owns labels such as Superfacialist and is all about making great everyday products at affordable prices.

Available at Superdrug.