Honeymoon hydration - Top moisturisers for tired skin

Your skin will be as tired as you are after your big day; but nothing that a good night’s sleep and a great moisturiser won’t sort. If you’re not planning on much sleep, treat yourself to good hydration. Lighter textures than you might normally use (light creams, gel-creams, gels and lotions) are a good choice for hot and humid climates. Here are a few of our favourites:

Zelens by Dr Marco Lens: Z Matrix Energy & Moisture Infusion (£85 for 50ml)

First up is a supremely hydrating cream-gel created by Dr Marko Lens – a Harley Street plastic surgeon and expert in skin cancer and skin ageing. 

He’s channelled his know-how into this potent ‘pick-me-up’. Well known hydration heroes such as Hyaluronic acid work alongside a unique botanical blend to refresh and energise dull, dry and tired skin. www.zelens.com

Decleor Hydra Floral Multi-Protection Activator Light Cream (£39.50 for 50ml)

It’s not just the amount of water, but how effectively it’s distributed, that counts when it comes to good skin hydration.  This moisture activating cream stems from an understanding of how plants distribute water around their structures. 

It’s powered by plant extracts, including Decleor’s hero Neroli oil, which stimulate aquaporins - channels that transport moisture from cell to cell. The more aquaporins that there are, the better the skin is hydrated - even in the deeper layers. www.decleor.co.uk

Estée Lauder Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Crème (£35 for 50ml)

Thirst quenching stuff from Estée Lauder: the promise of a wave of hydration that lasts 24 hours. It gives skin a mineral boost, helping it to repair its own moisture barrier and promotes skin’s own production of urea – a moisturiser produced naturally by skin which enables it to bind in water.

A particularly good option for skin showing signs of premature ageing, the signature marine coral fragrance is essence of honeymoon. www.esteelauder.co.uk

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Hydrating Lighter Lotion (£38 for 50ml)

This light, aromatic lotion from Oxford born facialist, Emma Hardie, is super-soothing:  great for calming wedding-weary skin. 

Essential oils and fatty acids, Vitamin E and plant and herbal extracts give skin a helping hand when it’s run down.  

Suitable for all skin types, it works well beneath make up or tinted moisturiser and the lavender fragrance will help you relax into your holiday. www.emmahardie.com

Voya Bright Eyes Anti-ageing eye crème (£50 for 30ml)

Voya’s Bright Eyes is so much more than an eye cream.  I have a friend with reactive skin that flares up at the sniff of moisturiser, even those specially formulated for super sensitive types.  And yet, his skin loves Voya Bright Eyes. 

It’s made with seaweed from the Atlantic coast of Co. Sligo, Ireland and is anti-oxidant rich.   If your skin has a touch of the wedding blues, give this little beauty a try. www.voya.ie

Crème de la Mer body lotion (£125 for 200ml)

And one for those limbs.  This really is the best of all the body lotions I have tried for a very long time. 

OK, so it comes at a price, but if you can afford to treat yourself for your honeymoon you won’t regret it.  A serum for the body, the lotion is rich in the sea-sourced nutrients that have made Crème de la Mer’s face creams so iconic. Miracle Broth they call it; and so it feels when you use it.  www.cremedelamer.co.uk