Triona McCarthy: Get a head start on the party season with these hydrating skincare gems

Skin can become dry, dull and irritated from changes in humidity and increased exposure to indoor heating. Heading out into cold, windy evenings to party with alcohol and rich food can also wreak havoc with it. Now is the time to get our bodies prepared for party season, hydrating and nourishing everything from the tip of our noses to the tops of our toes.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Trinny Woodall’s wonderful style and am so jealous of her wardrobe. Her make-up and skincare brand is also joy-inducing. She has a new skincare set for plump, hydrated skin called Plump it Up Routine (€99, trinnylondon.com). It contains starter sizes of Be Your Best balm cleanser, Tiptoe In exfoliant, Plump Up serum and Energise Me moisturiser, all packaged in Trinny’s mini Chepstow bag.

I’m all about self-care, and think that body balm is an essential addition to a winter skincare routine. Try Nuxe Rêve de Miel Body Oil Balm (€28, millies.ie), a melting body balm with honey and precious botanical oils that provides intense nourishment. It transforms into a delicate oil when massaged into the body to repair and soothe dry, irritated skin.

Next up is Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturiser (€82, dermalogica.ie). This ultra-nourishing moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid combined with echinacea, centella asiatica and aloe vera, which help to lock in hydration. ​

Developed to treat, conceal and protect skin, Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF50 (€33.95, rosalique.ie) is a triple-action skincare saviour. Aside from aiding the regeneration and repair of skin cells and reducing inflammation, Rosalique’s active ingredients include a-bisabolol, shea butter, panthenol, zeolite and urea to help hydrate, soothe and soften skin.

And last, but not least, Jennifer Rock is a superstar on the Irish skincare scene and she has distilled her years of expertise into her Skingredients range. I’m a fan of her Skingredients Skin Good Fats (€55, skingredients.com), a rich moisturiser and night cream, which locks in hydration while reducing inflammation and irritation. It’s packed with good fats and has a buttery balm texture, making it ideal for sensitive or irritated skin, and for those using acids or retinols.

With these products working hard to keep your skin hydrated, you’ll definitely be putting your best face forward over the next month of partying.

Three of the best... Pretty Palettes

1 Laura Mercier Starlight Dreams Eyeshadow Palette, €59, arnotts.ie This gorgeous palette is part of the Celestial Celebration Holiday Collection, which takes inspiration from the night sky. It has nine new, limited-edition shades, with a range of plums, taupes, and golden shades.

2 Prada Dimensions Refillable Eyeshadow, €80 (refill €65), brownthomas.com As well as being easy-to-wear, Prada’s six fashion-curated eyeshadow palettes come in satin, soft matte, hyper matte, and meta foil finishes. The refill system means you can be glam and eco-friendly.

3 Pat McGrath Labs Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction Palette, €134.47, cultbeauty.com Created by celebrated editorial and runway make-up artist, Pat McGrath, this decadent make-up palette has 10 shades. They include molten crimson ruby and sparkling platinum mauve plum and come in five finishes.