Post Run Pampering - Winter Treats for the Skin

As the temperature dropped in the last few days, I have been out braving the snow for my runs (out of necessity rather than choice - I couldn't get the car out to make it as far as the gym!!), and my skin had started to complain. Always a little reactive to the weather, and to the drying effects of my workout-induced sweats, my skin now felt permanently tight and dry, and I was getting increasing prone to the kind of pronounced redness that couldn't be hidden by any amount of make-up - not a look that I was particularly aiming for, and so I decided to give my skin a little TLC after this weeks Sunday long run. Having opted for an afternoon run (or rather, having gotten up so late that a morning run was out of the question...), by the time I got home, re-fueled and completed all my post-run stretches, I felt justified in being able to spend the rest of the evening having a luxuriously long soak in the bath. And so, lighting a few candles and dimming the lights in order to recreate a 'spa-like' setting, I got out all my favourite pampering treats, and prepared to indulge every part of my run-weary body.

First of these was my Sanctuary Spa Relax Nourishing Bath Soak. This is a rich, creamy bubble bath which is packed full of delicious-smelling essential oils, which fill the bathroom and help to completely relax and unwind me after a hard run. The bath soak also contains milk, honey and sweet almond oil, which soothes my skin and leaves it feeling nourished and moisturised without being too oily when I get out - bliss :-)

Whilst I'm letting my body soak up all the moisturising goodness from the bath, I get going on the facial. After cleansing with my usual cleanser - L'Occitane Immortelle Cleansing Milk (love this - brilliant at getting rid of all traces of make-up without being too greasy or drying out my skin. Slightly fragranced though, for anyone who can be sensitive to this), I give my face a scrub with Nivea Daily Essentials Skin Refining Scrub. This is a gentle scrub which exfoliates thoroughly, leaving a smooth, even surface for my Sanctuary Spa Brightening Facial Moisture Boosting Mask.

I use this mask regularly, particularly during the winter months, and find it invaluable in rehydrating my skin. It smells light and fresh, and the creamy texture glides onto the skin and is easily absorbed - I usually put on a thick layer, relax for 5 minutes, then top up where it has been absorbed before relaxing for another 5 minutes (you apply for 10  minutes or overnight, although I have never tried leaving it on overnight as have visions of very messy sticky pillows the next morning!). The mask contains shea butter and honey to nourish the skin, rosehip seed oil to help skin restore any damage, and lavender oil - which adds to the relaxing experience as well as calming the skin.

While the face mask is taking effect, I take the chance to smooth some John Frieda Frizz-Ease Miraculous Recovery Intensive Masque onto my hair, which has also suffered from the weather recently - like I said, I like to indulge all of me! Letting the hair mask smooth my locks into something more frizz-free, shiny and manageable, I give my body (especially arms and legs!) a good scrub with the Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub, then shower all the products off ready to apply lashings of moisturiser - Garnier Skin Naturals Summer Body Moisturing Lotion for the body (I like the slight summer glow it gives, plus its the best/ longest lasting moisturiser I have found so far!), and L'Occitane Ultra Rich Face Cream for .. well, the face! 

This is another Shea Butter product, which is perfect for protecting my skin during winter months without making it too greasy - light and quickly absorbed, but hard working moisturising effect, well worth the money compared with some of the cheaper alternatives I have tried so far! I also love the packaging - a satisfyingly heavy glass bottle with pump-action top.

So, after all that pampering, I feel blissed out and ready to face the elements again... and bare my face in public afterwards without a rather over-zealous 'glow' from the great outdoors!