Usually, around this time of year, new skincare launches get lighter and fluffier – titles like Cloud Dew denote a seasonal change, with the expectation that we’re starting to shake off our thicker, cosseting winter layers and consider something more T-shirt like. The skincare equivalent of changing to a lighter tog of duvet, in a way.

But this year, we’re seeing the opposite. Creams are now claiming to be ultra-rich to grab our attention. While there are still a few “cloud-light gel formulas” – and who doesn’t want something “cloud-like” on their skin, whatever that can possibly mean – there’s more of a trend for dense, skin-nourishing, velvety balms. It’s not surprising – wrapping your face in a comfort blanket of skincare that feels both restorative and protective sounds appealing. After the years we’ve just had, and the current state of things, comfort is key. There are good reasons we’re sticking with the WFH big socks, cosy jumpers and soft bras – while normality is good, and we welcome a bit of glamour, few of us relish a return to underwiring. I tried wearing a shirt the other day, and had to change back into a soft sweatshirt, purely out of the habit of feeling more comfortable.

Photographs above and top via Tory Burch SS22.

Anyway, what are these thicker, balmier formulas about? Really, it’s a retake of the term “rescue cream”. Ironically, over-use of other products, such as exfoliators, particularly during lockdown has partly led to a need for more soothing balms or creams like these. As Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd, discusses in her recent video for our Talking Beauty channel (see HERE), disrupting the skin barrier is a big search-term at the moment, and these creams can help. They are also about longer-lasting moisturising: just as we got into long-wear foundations, with brands claiming ever-longer-lasting coverage, now it’s about hours of hydration; Lauder’s new ones claim a whopping 72 hours. When we asked our reader panel their favourite skincare products, moisturiser was their top essential buy, with many choosing La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Balm (€13) as a staple.

Here are five to know about, from under €30 (to €300+):

THE CULT CREAM

Famed for their science-driven super-moisturisers, including The Rich Cream, now Augustinus Bader brings us an even richer cream, The Ultimate Soothing Cream. I chatted to Professor Bader and his business partner Charles Rosier the other week to find out more. As the creator of the most exciting moisturisers since Crème de la Mer made seaweed seductive, Bader is the real deal.

Since the original launch, the range has grown fast and furiously, and now includes everything from face oil to an entire (and brilliant) hair range. Initially they were endorsed by celebrities such as Melanie Griffith; as Rosier says, “Celebrities are able to access a lot of beauty products, so if you’re not different, you won’t make an impact – and when they choose to use something and to enthuse about it, that has an impact.” Rave reviews piqued curiosity and led to word of mouth recommendations.

The new pillowy-rich Soothing Cream brandishes both Bader’s scientific research behind it, and a pile of effective natural ingredients such as evening primrose oil, niacinamide and black cumin oil. It’s designed to be intensely calming and comforting, and “support the skin’s recovery from extreme dryness, inflammation and irritation”. “There are lots of rich lipids in here, while being super-gentle,” says Bader. “The skin can fix itself but loses this capacity over time. And to fix itself it needs certain tools, just like an electrician needing tools to fix a broken light. The Soothing Cream taps into the innate intellience of our own stem cells to aid the repair process and is particularly good if you’ve overused acidic treatments on the skin,” says Bader. “It’s an ideal solution for super-stressed skin. Acidic treatments can have a purpose, but if over-used, they can cause damage to the skin and it becomes very thin, and can lead to very sensitive skin.”

It’s so rich it has to be in a pot, not a bottle, yet is absolutely non-sticky or greasy; it’s refillable, which is great, though I do feel they could have stretched to a spatula to scoop it out with. As all Bader creams, you’ll see results pretty quickly and become alarmingly attached – a true comfort blanket. €240 at Planet Beauty, Brown Thomas Dundrum.

Here are some other contenders for the cosiest and most luxurious skin comforters around:

THE REFILLABLE REVITALISER

New this year from Lauder is the Revitalising Supreme+ Youth Power Collection, featuring elegantly fragranced cremes (not creams) plus an eye balm (€64). There’s an impressively hearty list of “free from”s including mineral oil and drying alcohol. Revitalising is another buzzword this year in beauty as we look for a lift in more ways than one. Refillable glass jars too. From €90 at counters nationwide.

THE GOLDEN LUXURY

Chanel’s Sublimage Le Baume, launched last summer is a golden wonder, and the last word in luxury. Vanilla-infused and silky smooth, it’s like wrapping your face in fragrant buttery gorgeousness (and there’s a body version, too). At €350 a pot, you don’t want to get too hooked, but as an occasional treat it’s fabulous. In a recyclable glass jar, but sadly not refillable.

THE IRISH ONE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Finca Skin Organics Moisturising Balm (€36) is soothing and hydrating, and designed to be used alongside the Irish-owned brand’s calming serums, specially developed for sensitive skin, including those prone to rosacea. I like founder Finola Fegan’s natural and plant-based approach: she created Finca having been put off by the “unnecessary fillers and chemicals in skincare, which can irritate and heighten the sensitivity of our skin.” The balm is thicker than moisturisers you’re used to, with lots of seed oils, incluing organic rosehip, and shea butter in there, so takes a bit longer to absorb in. Finca also do a decent tinted SPF30 sunscreen (€30), a physical sunscreen that’s gentle for sensitive skin. www.fincaskinorganics.com 

THE RESCUE REMEDY

Glossier’s After Baume is a new moisturising barrier recovery cream (vegan, fragrance-free) and claims 24-hour moisturisation (with essential fatty acids and microalgae extract). Balancing and comforting, it’s really one we wanted back in November to brace us for the coldest months – it feels very après-ski. However, throughout the year, sometimes you just want a skin “rescue”, and this is a fine option. As we learned with the original Crème de la Mer, warm between fingers or palms before applying. I like the green and pink (recyclable) packaging. And as usual will not be able to resist adding a Balm.com to our order … €28. www.glossier.com