Tis the season for festive skincare

From bright red cranberries to the wintery scent of pine trees, the distinctive sights and smells of Christmas are everywhere.

And these festive favourites can be used in skincare, with brilliant beauty benefits.

Here’s our pick of the best.

Festive frankincense

While frankincense conjures up thoughts of Christmas, its rejuvenating superpowers mean it should be used every single day of the year.

It has a calming effect and can help hydrate and destress skin, while its fragrance eases tension.

Frankincense also possesses fabulous skin- tightening qualities and because it’s a natural astringent, it will regulate sebum production, making it good for oily skin.

Make your own frankincense cream by adding a few drops of Miaroma Pure Frankincense

Essential Oil, £ 13.99 ( hollandandbarrett. com), to your favourite moisturiser.

Green People One Balm, £ 20 ( greenpeople. co. uk), is in infused with frankincense oil and can soothe and calm sensitive skin, soften cuticles and moisturise dry lips.

Dead Sea Body Scrub with Frankincense Oil,

£ 7.79 ( boots. com), is the perfect purifying body scrub to use from top to toe.

Magic myrrh

Myrrh has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is known for its healing qualities.

It suits most skin types, including sensitive skin, and is often used to treat skin conditions such as acne and eczema. A myrrh- infused mask will do wonders for your skin, brightening and hydrating as well as shrinking pores.

Mix a drop of myrrh oil with some Vaseline and rub it under your nose – it works a bit like a vapour rub. Or pop some in an oil burner to relieve a chesty cough.

Niod Myrrh Clay Mask, £ 28 ( lookfantastic. com), is a rich formula that leaves skin firm, lifted and supple.

Espa 24- hour Replenishing Moisturiser, £ 45 ( espaskincare. com), has a rich velvety texture that dehydrated skin will love.

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Glow with gold

A beauty elixir with anti- bacterial and anti- inflammatory qualities, research suggests the ions present in gold can help stimulate cells in your body, boosting circulation to give skin a radiant glow.

The precious metal can also help slow down collagen loss, reduce excess oil production and hydrate dry skin.

Prai 24K Gold Retinol Concentrate, £ 38 ( marksandspencer. com), is a concentrated treatment that uses skin- smoothing retinol and the glow- giving powers of real gold to transform skin as you sleep.  Pixi Gold Luminous Oil, £ 24 ( cultbeauty. co. uk), blends colloidal gold with botanical oils and antioxidants to instantly restore dull complexions. Mix a couple of drops into your moisturiser or foundation to brighten up your skin. Nudestix Magnetic Nude Glimmer in 24k Goddess, £ 24 ( cultbeauty. co. uk), is a

multi- use luminous highlighter stick that makes a great subtle golden eyeshadow without being too glittery.

These brightly coloured berries are packed with skin- boosting benefits and contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any fruit.

Cranberries help treat dryness, boost radiance and improve skin elasticity. Cranberry oil has the perfect ratio of omega- 3, omega- 6 and omega- 9 fatty acids so it is quickly absorbed into the skin, locking in hydration and protecting skin from pollutants.

Decongest skin and shrink pores using cranberry juice. Dab the juice onto a cotton wool ball and smooth over the chin, around the nose and other areas with enlarged pores. Leave for 10 minutes, rinse with cool water and moisturise.

Green People Age Defy+ Pure Luxe Body Oil, £ 25 ( greenpeople. co. uk), combines a decadent blend of cranberry, pomegranate and neroli oils, and leaves skin glowing.

Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energising Radiance Masque, £ 30.60 ( escentual. com), is rich in cranberry extract and contains cranberry seeds to gently exfoliate.