You Time: 10 Self-Care & Skincare Essentials To Chase Away The January Blues

Sometimes, January can feel a little drab and dreary. The excitement of Christmas is behind us, and the promise of spring is a little too far ahead to lift the mood just yet. So, with the dark, cold days seeming to stretch out endlessly, it’s no wonder that many of us struggle with a touch of the January blues.

In today’s post, we’re going to be telling you all about some of our absolute favourite self-care and skincare essentials to help you chase those January blues away. Look and feel amazing with ten of our top picks to rejuvenate your January.

1. ESPA Tri-Active Resilience Clarify & Fortify Scalp Serum

Often, we forget our scalp when it comes to skincare, but beautiful, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Treat yours to a little TLC with ESPA’s Tri-Active™ Resilience Clarify & Fortify Scalp Serum – a clinically proven serum that clarifies your scalp whilst relieving any visible redness, and soothing itchiness.

Infused with Red Seaweed to tackle impurities gently but effectively, the serum exfoliates your scalp whilst hydrating and easing any discomfort.

This serum is designed to be used daily on towel-dried or dry hair, and should be applied directly to the scalp and hair line before being gently massaged in. Treating yourself to a daily scalp massage not only feels great, but it also helps to boost blood circulation and release any stress and tension along the way, too. Try it whilst listening to your favourite relaxing playlist, or even whilst watching your favourite TV show for a little self-care moment of pure tranquillity.

2. Elemis Superfood AHA Glows Cleansing Butter Facial Cleanser

Giving your skin a thorough cleanse is an important part of your daily skincare routine. Proper cleansing means that your skin is purified from the impurities that can build up to cause breakouts and means that your skin is properly prepared to better absorb your skincare products and important active ingredients, too.

Melt away makeup and daily impurities whilst leaving your skin looking healthy, fresh, and glowing with this buttery, brightening cleanser.

The buttery formula is blended with fermented pumpkin enzymes and acerola cherry which are naturally rich in AHA’s that help to brighten your skin. The addition of chia seed oil and mango butter are rich in omega fatty acids, helping to quench and nourish your skin.

This glow-getting formula can be used as a hydrating makeup remover or as a deeply cleansing mask to leave you with a radiant complexion.

3. Decléor Neroli Bigarade Gradual Glow Tanning Lotion

It’s no secret that most of us feel healthier on the inside when our skin is glowing and lightly sun-kissed on the outside. So give your skin a faux glow (the only type of glow our FTF team endorses – remember; fake it, don’t bake it!) with Decléor’s Neroli Bigarade Gradual Glow Tanning Lotion.

Suitable for both your face and body, this hydrating lotion will envelop your skin in that gorgeous sun-kissed glow no matter the weather. Made from 97% natural origin-ingredients, this gradual tanning lotion is formulated with nourishing neroli essential oil, and free-radical protection-boosting magnolia essential oil. The addition of narcissus bulb prolongs your tan, whilst vanilla extract helps to prevent any irritation from external aggressors.  

Using DHA (dihydroxyacetone) to produce a naturally golden tan, the light-textured lotion is non-sticky and fades evenly to leave you feeling uplifted and radiant no matter how dull the weather may be.

4. Olverum Body Polish

If your skin is feeling a little dull and lacklustre, gently buff and polish it to perfection with Olverum’s Body Polish. The unique souffle-texture polish helps to tighten and brighten your skin, whilst delivering a hit of hydration with a beautifully balanced fusion of essential oils.

With fermented papaya enzyme, dead skin cells are gently removed to reveal more radiant, healthier looking skin, whilst hydroclay penetrates your skin to cleanse, lift, and eliminate any deep-set impurities.

With an airy light texture, the formula gives a cushioning effect to your skin which helps to aid in providing an intensive but non-abrasive massage to slough away dead skin cells.

Firming bergamot oil, geranium oil, and lavandin oil infuse to boost elasticity, leaving your skin looking and feeling rejuvenated. Meanwhile, grapefruit oil and fennel oil brighten your skin, leaving it feeling glowing, and supple.

With the invigorating scents of ylang ylang and patchouli oil, uplift your body and mind in one.

5. Christophe Robin Colour Shield Cleansing Mask

One way to uplift your mood is by ensuring your hair colour looks salon fresh from the comfort of your own home.

This colour shielding mask is specially created for bleached, coloured, and highlighted hair and helps to prolong the radiance and vibrancy of your colour.

Blended with camu-camu berries to nurture your hair, diminish pigmentation, and shield against environmental damage, this deep treatment mask can be used once a week to nourish your locks and keep your colour looking luminous.

Further enriched with fruit acids, macadamia extract, and a blend of green tea extract, the mask helps to soften your hair and enhance the shine.

6. Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50

Your skin needs sun protection all year around to keep it protected against harmful UVA and UVB rays – even in the winter. So, shield your skin and combat the appearance of skin ageing with Dermalogica’s Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50.

This medium-weight, emollient daily moisturiser helps to hydrate your skin whilst providing a high level of protection, leaving your skin defended from the sun’s rays.

With the addition of antioxidant white tea that’s rich in polyphenols (the ingredient that’s also found in red wine and praised for its antioxidant properties!), and a unique polypeptide, the formula helps to improve the appearance of photoaged skin.

7. Foreo Bear

There’s nothing nicer than relaxing into those cold, cosy evenings with a soothing massage to ease away the day.

Cute and functional, the Foreo Bear gives your skin an energising facial workout to bring spa-like results to you from the comfort of your home.

Using T-Sonic™ pulsations, your skin is toned, contoured, and lifted, leaving you with a firmer, more radiant complexion.

The device works through a dedicated app and allows you to use five intensities of microcurrent technology to achieve long-lasting results.

With an anti-shock system, the non-invasive tool cleverly measures your skin’s resistance to electricity to adjust the microcurrent within your chosen intensity to give you a safe and comfortable treatment.

Working to target the signs of ageing whilst massaging your face, your skin will be left looking radiant and feeling renewed. What’s more, the T-Sonic™ pulsations enhance the absorption of your skincare products leading to a more effective treatment at home.

8. Avène Antirougeurs Calm Mask for Skin Prone to Redness

Sometimes our skin can feel a little more sensitive in the winter months and be more prone to redness. And when our skin doesn't feel great, we don't feel great, either. If this sounds like your skin right now, we know you'll love this cooling and hydrating mask from Avène.

The mask is formulated with anti-irritating Avène Thermal Spring Water along with TRP-Regulin, a patented active to help soothe, puffy, uncomfortable, flushed skin.

Avène is well known for creating beautifully gentle skincare - even for the most vulnerable of skin. Their proven formulas deliver effective results whilst respecting your skin. 

9. OSKIA & Temperley Skin Smoothing LOVE Candle

What better way to chase away the January blues than with a beautifully relaxing candle followed by a massage? This LOVE Massage candle allows you to enjoy both all in one limited-edition candle with the print designed by Temperley London.

Enjoy the ambient glow from the lit wick before pouring the melted blend of oils and waxes, including beeswax, soybean, and coconut oil onto your skin for a soothing, luxurious massage experience.

OSKIA's award-winning candle formula has been specially blended with a new signature scent, with top notes dominated by florals including amyris, rose, and patchouli, and base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, and guaiacwood. The scent is musky, sensuous, and full of voluptuous depth to help to lull your body and mind into a state of pure relaxation.

10% of all proceeds are given in support of Women for Women International. UK Charity Registration Number: 1115109

10. Delilah Chloe After Hours Reed Diffuser

Our home is our sanctuary - particularly in the colder winter months when many of us choose to stay in the cosy confines of our houses than venture out into the crisp, frosty days. 

Setting the mood for a relaxing, calming space can really help you to feel that deep inner contentment, and our FTF team love using our favourite scents to create our cosy havens. 

With top notes of lemon, lime, mint, and cognac, heart notes of jasmine, iriswood, clove vetiver, and base notes of oak, incense, tobacco, and musk, this smoky oak and sweet musky tobacco scent sets a sensual, warm, nostalgic mood. 

The perfect fragrance for when dusk begins, relax into the dark nights, and enjoy a perfectly calming moment. 

Looking to upgrade your skincare routine for the New Year? Discover HydroPeptide - peptide-enriched anti ageing skincare developed by geneticists to deliver next generation results. Learn more in our post: A Guide to Hydropeptide: Peptide Skincare For Next Generation Results.

Featured image by freepik.