Beauty Call: How to combat ‘radiator face’

Have you been spending most of the stormy weather inside with the central heating turned up all the way to 11? If so, chances are you’re suffering from a nice dose of radiator face at this stage.

Nothing sucks the moisture out of skin like the dry air of central heating, and harsh weather does skin no favours either. Plunging your skin into a superheated environment (such as the sitting room), when seconds earlier you were being assaulted by freezing winds is no good for anyone’s phisog. The result is skin drier than the Sahara.

So what can you do? Start off with the basics and use a cleanser that’s gentle and actually moisturises as it cleans – try a cream or an oil-based cleanser. Secondly, make sure to gently exfoliate: if your skin is clogged it won’t be receptive to moisturiser.

Serum is the saviour of skin. Think of it as concentrated moisture and nutrients, and look for products with hyaluronic acid in the ingredients list. This will be your key weapon in the fight against Radiator Face as the acid attracts and binds up to 1,000 times its own weight with water and can keep that precious moisture in your skin where it belongs.

Make your night moisturisers more hydrating by mixing them with a couple of drops of any facial oil (Liz Earle and Kinvara do good ones) and you’ll emerge from under the duvet more fresh faced in the morning. Or go one better and use a hydrating mask. Indeed Labs Hydraluron Boosting Masks (€26.99) are hyaluronic acid rich, while the cult Vitamin E Sink In Moisture Mask from The Body Shop (€19.99) and Nars Aqua Gel Luminous Mask (€37) can both be left on overnight for softer, smoother skin.

So let the wind howl – your skin will be hydrated and cared for no matter how high you turn up those rads.

NIVEA CELLULAR ANTI-AGE SKIN REFINING SERUM

( €15.99, 40ml)

A fresh, light serum that feels fantastic when applied. Use it under the night moisturiser from the same range and you have a winning duo. Perfect for hydration on a budget.

PEVONIA POWER REPAIR AGE-CORRECTION INTENSIFIER – COLLAGEN AND MYOXY-CAVIAR

(€68, 30ml)

Deeply hydrating, this nutrient-rich serum really does saturate skin with moisture. You’ll notice the difference instantly.

L’ORÉAL PARIS REVITALIFT LASER RENEW ANTI-AGEING CREAM-MASK RECOVERY TREATMENT NIGHT

(€19.99, 50ml)

Massage into your face before bed and this gel-cream formula with hyaluronic acid and plant oils will soften and plump up skin by the morning.

SKINCEUTICALS HYDRATING B5 GEL

(€69, 30ml)

It’s pricey, but if you’re willing to invest, this serum is a miracle worker for skin that’s gasping like a landed fish. Used under moisturiser it intensifies hydration and is loaded with B5 and a hefty dose of that enemy of Radiator Face, hyaluronic acid.

AISLING LOVES . . . LA LAQUE COUTURE SPICY COLLECTION

( €24)

Spice up your life: five sumptuous shades, together with a glittering top coat, make up this winter-warming nail collection.