Winter’s brisk winds and chilly weather undoubtedly take their toll on sensitive skin, leading to uncomfortably dryness and chafing. Looking to tackle this on, many of the world’s leading cosmetic brands have created essential essences that inject much-needed moisture right back to where it’s most needed.

A prime example is French luxury label Dior’s new L’Oléo Essence Lumière, which embraces traditional Chinese medicinal wisdom by harnessing three potent all-natural ingredients – rose essence, white rose oil and natural PHAs (naturally-occurring polyester beads). Collectively, they not only boost hydric and lipid flows in the skin, they also help remove any impurities or dry skin cells.

Equally inspired by ancient Asian wisdom is CHA LING’s Moisturising Treatment Essence, which is said to be imbued with hero ingredient B-DT Complex – a powerful antioxidant developed from pu’er tea leaves, which apparently forms an anti-pollution barrier, helping provide round-the-clock moisturisation for your sensitive outer layers. Substituting pu’er for green tea essence, meanwhile, is South Korean Amorepacific’s Vintage Single Extract Essence. Intensively charged with powerful catechin antioxidants, it’s said to protect the skin against free radicals and ably restore your youthful glow in just four weeks.

Next, Spanish beauty company Natura Bissé’s Diamond Cocoon Hydrating Essence focuses wholly on pollution protection. This sees the prebiotic skincare product making use of antioxidant and vegetal complexes to create a skin barrier that wards off heavy metals and solar radiation, thus ensuring a truly natural radiance is maintained.

Finally, French luxury fashion label YSL’s Hydra Bounce Essence-in-Lotion claims to boost the skin’s ability to adjust and respond to seasonal changes in order to remain optimally healthy skin. Incorporating orange blossom extract and vitamins E and B3, it forms a shield against external aggressors, allowing you weather the winter chill with your very best face forward.