The fade from hazy, humid waves of summer heat into the cold depths of winter’s final stretch can often feel as seamless as a Netflix episode transition, and with the final bite of the season – mornings as cold as Dick Cheney’s heart; winds that thrash with the violence of a Carlos Alcaraz forehand; hot blasts of the office heater; and shockingly low humidity – comes the need to fall back on the grooming cupboard.
Of course, winter usually provides an opportunity to grow out the hair, both on the face and scalp, so you’ve likely already revamped your styling creams and beard lotions. We assume you’ve switched out those citrus-heavy fragrances for heavier bottles thick with wood, tobacco and a rackful of spices. With that in mind, we advise that your main concern for the coming weeks should be the foundation of your appearance – skincare – as the seemingly never-ending Hoth-like conditions will, as they do every year, upend your complexion by clearing it of natural oils and evaporating its surface water, leaving things dry, patchy and fairly eroded of health.
When it comes to this, we often turn to the below edit of slicks that boost moisture levels. Unlike the exhaustive slew of options available today – many of which have Ambrosia-style consistency or the grease levels of a mechanic’s right hand – these tubes and bottles have the smooth, lightweight qualities of rarefied silk, with properties to not only protect, but also revive and elevate your skin. This is the cream of the crop...
Aesop In Two Minds Facial Hydrator
Cult grooming brand Aesop is beloved for its design-led products, and we particularly like this item for its old-school tube, which gives a tactile touch to the morning routine. This one is for combination skin (a mix of oily and dry) as it leaves a lightweight, non-greasy finish.
Eighth Day Reparative Moisturiser
Another item whose packaging is noted for its style creds, Eighth Day’s octagonal dispenser is replete with a patent-pending peptide-rich plasma that imparts amino acids and ‘growth factors’ to both minimise the appearance of uneven skin texture and buff out its appearance.
Floris No.89 Facial Moisturiser
A GJ favourite, Floris has been serving the Great and Good ever since its founding, in 1730, and its No.89 moisturiser brings together lavender, neroli, orange and bergamot for a lovely citrus-forward mix, something that’ll tease the wearer with the feel of summertime brightness.
Patricks SL1 Superleggera Moisturizer
Though best known for its hair-boosting products, Patricks also has a deft hand in other grooming departments, and its SL1 Superleggera Moisturizer sits somewhere between a cream and a gel, a hybrid mix that facilitates a hydrated yet matte finish.
Dr Sebagh High Maintenance Cream
Arriving in a weighty tub, the High Maintenance Cream has the feel of a considered, high-grade item, and what’s inside – a does-all product that centres on ‘ageing-maintenance’ – is one of the most premium products on this list, delivering a heavy whack of hydration and leaving the face with a dough-soft feel.
Heath Moisturiser
Easy on the wallet, easy on the eyes when placed on the bathroom shelf, easy to use, this fuss-free bottle is a workhorse, with a pump-action offering powered by Soliberine (which protects against UV rays), hyaluronic acid (a promoter of hydration) and vitamin E (an antioxidant).
Perricone MD High Potency Classics Face Finishing & Firming Tinted Moisturizer
Because SPF is needed at all times throughout the year.
This feature was taken from Gentleman’s Journal’s Winter 2023 issue. Read more about it here.
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