From buying exactly the same groceries every week to using the same beauty products forever, we are all guilty of sticking to what we know. I see the sense in this, but it doesn’t always serve us well. It can mean missing out on discovering something new and better – like great new products from niche brands. These are not household names but worth paying attention to as they deliver. Take masks, which are so relevant now seeing as winter is one of skin’s biggest enemies: while nothing beats an incredible facial, masks are financially less painful and if you are consistent with their use – the key to all good skincare routines – your skin will thank you for it. Hydrating masks from the likes of Verso are a no-brainer right now. Youth To the People’s clever combo of science and botanicals is the ultimate exfoliating, yet moisturising boost. Votary’s is similar, its key ingredients – lactic and mandelic acid – are great for shedding dead skin cells, but the formula is impressively gentle and hydrating. As is Farmacy’s. To refine skin texture without stripping the skin, Ameliorate’s is gamechanging. For decongesting, Olivanna, Zitsticka, Strivectin and Wildsmith are brilliant because unlike most clay based masks, they draw out impurities without upsetting your skin barrier. And if you are in the market for a brightening, anti-puff, under-eye treatment that is a little more sophisticated than cucumber slices or old teabags, Equilibrium has you covered.
1. Ameliorate Resurfacing Facial Mask £22, spacenk.com
2. Farmacy Honey Potion Plus Mask £36, boots.com
3. Votary Radiance Reveal Mask £55, votary.co.uk
4. Zitsticka Pore Vac £30, zitsticka.com
5. Strivectin Multi-Action Blue Rescue Clay Renewal Mask £47, strivectin.com
6. Youth To the People, Superberry Hydrate and Glow Mask £42, cultbeauty.co.uk
7. Hourglass Equilibrium Instant Plumping Eye Mask £61, johnlewis.com
8. Verso Nourishing Mask £80, versoskincare.com
9. Wildsmith Skin Double Clay Mask £65, wildsmithskin.com
10. Olivanna Detox Oceanic Marine Mask £56, olivanna.com
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