‘I’m a Beauty Editor – here are the products that will really soothe your skin this January’ 

Baby, it’s cold outside. And with a drop in temperature comes new territory when it comes to your skin. So how do you keep your complexion in check when the chill sets in?

USE SPF

Did you know that we should wear SPF every single day – even when indoors, and even when it rains? Yes, just because it’s cold doesn’t mean the UVA and UVB rays from the sun can’t harm your skin. Protect it daily, preventing fine lines, pigmentation and more serious issues like skin cancer, with a separate SPF product with at least SPF30. The skincare tech these days is so incredibly clever that many are completely undetectable once applied. TRY: CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50+, £21. It strengthens the skin barrier while shielding against UV and sinks into skin in seconds, feeling weightless on the face.

BARRIER PROTECTION

Cold weather and indoor heating can dry out the skin, causing irritation and redness. The best way to combat this is by boosting the skin barrier to help naturally prevent damage. Look for strengthening skincare ingredients to fortify, including ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. TRY: Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides, £49. It’s powered by 10% niacinamide, with a potent peptide complex and zinc to refine pores, fortify skin and increase glow.

UP THE MOISTURE

The featherlight moisturiser you loved over summer might not cut the mustard when it comes to hydrating winter skin. Quench its thirst with a thicker formula instead, to help skin retain moisture and avoid irritation. TRY: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream, £23. Your one stop shop for skin emergencies and day to day uber hydration, it contains soothing colloidal oatmeal and dexpanthenol.

ADD A SERUM

You can also increase moisture levels in your skin by adding a serum into your daily routine, looking for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. TRY: Muji Fermented Booster Serum, £19.95. With the uber cool brand now branching out into skincare, this is as sleek and chic as you’d expect. There’s rice ferment in there to bolster winter skin.

REMEMBER YOUR LIPS

A combination of wind, cold, central heating and excess licking can n cause chapping. When applying SPF don’t forget your lips, try where you can not to lick them, and apply a thick and nourishing balm to protect them. TRY: Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Lip Mask, £24. It contains a lip loving concoction of honey, ceramides, collagen and hyaluronic acid in a luxuriously thick formula that is a delight to apply.

APPLY HAND CREAM

We also tend to forget our hands – and in winter this can lead to chapping and redness. Go easy on the UV lamps, applying SPF before and moisturiser afterwards. Keep hand cream with you for regular top-ups, choosing one with ceramides to protect the skin barrier on the hands as you would for your face. TRY: L’Occitane Shea Karité Hand Balm, £29. Reassuringly thick, yet able to sink easily into skin this shea-rich hand treatment is ideal to keep in your pocket or on your desk to nourish hands as needed.

SOOTHE YOUR SCALP

Rounding up our trio of oft forgotten and neglected body parts is the scalp. The common culprits of cold weather and heating, alongside a buildup of styling products, leads to a spike of dry, grumpy scalps over the winter months. The answer? Exfoliation and hydration. TRY: Aroma Zone Strengthening & Densifying Hair Serum, £12. Peptides, plus pea and clover extracts, work to prolong the hair growth phase for longer, stronger locks.

USE A BALM CLEANSER

“In colder months the drop in temperatures, lower humidity and indoor heating can cause skin dryness and irritation. Switching to a cleansing balm in winter is beneficial as they are richer and more moisturising than traditional cleansers, effectively removing daily dirt, impurities and makeup without stripping your skin’s natural oils. This helps keep your skin barrier protected and fortified,” says Dr Alexis Granite, CeraVe’s Consultant Dermatologist. TRY: CeraVe Make-up Removing Cleansing Balm, £14.49. Packed with ceramides, this protects the skin barrier and soothes skin while gently removing make-up and the days dirt and grime.

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Pippa Middleton’s slimming 9p breakfast ‘fights off’ eight types of cancer

Research suggests the fibre-rich food might help with eright loss goals and lower your risk of cancer

A breakfast superfood regularly enjoyed by Pippa Middleton, according to reports, costs just 9p per serving and could slash your cancer risk. The British socialite, sister to the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, told iNews she eats “a lot of porridge” each morning.

Discussing her morning routine, she confessed to enjoying “almost everything,” but particularly “lots of porridge or boiled eggs with soldiers.” She added that she “can’t start the day properly” without breakfast.

Porridge boasts countless health benefits, from supporting heart and digestive health to managing weight and stabilising blood sugar. What’s more, it won’t break the bank – Aldi’s 1kg bag of oats retails at just 85p, working out at around 9p for a 100g portion.

Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fibre that can lower LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol whilst raising HDL ‘good’ cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is linked to severe conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

Wholegrains such as porridge also help lower fasting blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. The fibre acts as a prebiotic too, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting digestive wellness.

Oats contain abundant antioxidants, including polyphenols and avenanthramides. Antioxidants are vital in safeguarding our cells from harm and may reduce the risk of developing numerous conditions, such as heart disease, certain cancers, and age-related illnesses.

Incorporating more high-fibre whole grains while reducing refined grains in your diet can help maintain a healthy weight, which may be one reason why Pippa stays trim. The body also expends more energy breaking down fibre, potentially boosting your metabolic rate.

The substantial fibre content in porridge also keeps you satisfied for extended periods, which could support weight loss and result in decreased overall calorie consumption. Consuming soluble fibre creates a gel in the intestines, which can block some calories from being absorbed. Being overweight is a big risk for at least 12 types of cancer.

According to Cancer Research UK, maintaining a healthy balanced diet rich in wholegrains and fibre “can help reduce your risk of bowel cancer”. Wholegrains include items like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, oats and wholegrain bread. Fibre also nourishes good bacteria in your gut, which strengthens your immune system and can help protect against harmful substances that might cause cancer.

Fibre is essential in encouraging regular bowel movements, enlarging stool size, and diluting its contents. This mechanism enables harmful substances to remain in the intestines for shorter periods. When fibre combines with gut bacteria, it generates a compound called butyrate. Butyrate is advantageous for preserving the health of intestinal cells, which can diminish the risk of tumour formation.

In addition to bowel cancer, experts suggest that fibre could also help protect against several other types of cancer. A study published in the National Library of Medicine, titled “Use of Dietary Fibres in Reducing the Risk of Several Cancer Types,” concluded the following regarding the level of evidence for various cancers:

  • Convincing evidence: Gastric cancer.
  • Probable evidence: Rectal, colon, breast, endometrial, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, as well as colorectal adenomas.
  • Suggestive evidence: Ovarian and renal cell cancers.
  • Inconclusive evidence: Oesophagal cancer.

While there is no definitive cure for cancer, maintaining a balanced and healthy and fibre-rich diet can aid in reducing your risk. Regular exercise, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding processed foods and maintaining a healthy weight can also contribute to lowering your risk.

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Victoria Taylor, a dietitian from the British Heart Foundation, advises: “Porridge is a healthy, nutritious way to start the day. However, there is much debate about which oats are the best to use and which cooking method is healthiest.

Marcus Gilbert dead: Riders actor dies two years after finding love with co-star

Riders star Marcus Gilbert has died at the age of 67 following a three-year battle with throat cancer.

The actor, who played the original version of dashing Rupert Campbell-Black in the 1993 TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Riders, died at the weekend. He is survived by his two children, son Maxi and daughter Aaliya.

Marcus had been in a relationship with fellow actor Lysette Anthony, with whom he’d worked several decades earlier. A fan site for the heart-throb star shared the sad news on Facebook with a statement which read: “Today we have heard the very sad news that Marcus lost his battle against cancer on Sunday 11th January 2026.

“We, along with his many fans worldwide, will mourn his loss, and remember the joy he gave us on screen, and in person. RIP Marcus.”

The actor’s daughter Aaliya, a junior doctor, revealed in 2020 that her father had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the same time as his doctor wife of 28 years, Homaa, was battling pancreatic cancer. Homaa died the same year.






Marcus Gilbert starred as Rupert Campbell-Black in the hit series
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ANGLIA FILMS)

Fans left tributes on the site, with one saying: “Gone home, in the arms of the angels and Homaa. Oh my goodness. RIP Marcus. Such sad news.”






Marcus Gilbert and Anthony Calf starred in the first adaptation of the raunchy drama


Marcus Gilbert and Anthony Calf starred in the first BBC adaptation of the raunchy drama
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ITV/Shutterstock)






Marcus Gilbert and L-R Annabel Giles ,Arabella Tjye and Blinda Mayne in 'Riders' - 1993


Marcus alongside Annabel Giles ,Arabella Tjye and Blinda Mayne who also starred in the hit 1993 series
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ITV/Shutterstock)

His role as Ancelyn in the Doctor Who episode Battlefield, led the programme’s showrunner Russell T Davies to pay tribute himself, writing: “Oh, that’s sad news.”

His actor pal Toby Hadoke, wrote: “Dashing, charming, and a strong actor with a bit of a twinkle. Very sorry to learn of the death, too young, of Marcus Gilbert with whom I had a lovely time in Liverpool about a decade ago.”

Saying he’d been great in Doctor Who’s Battlefield and also Evil Dead 3: Army of Darkness, Toby added: “He also told me how much he earned from being part of the second Gold Blend saga of commercials : eye watering! Lovely chap: wore his attributes lightly.”

Marcus had roles in Murder, She Wrote and Rambo III, alongside Sylvester Stallone, while he also auditioned for the part of James Bond in the late 1980s, losing out to Timothy Dalton. He ran his own production company, Touch the Sky Productions, and famously appeared as the rich, handsome boyfriend in the Nescafe Gold Blend adverts.

After he lost his wife, and the mother of his son Maximilian and daughter Aaliya, Marcus said: “I wasn’t prepared to be involved with anyone after my wife. Homaa, which means bird of paradise in Urdu.”

Despite this, in 2023 he did find new happiness with Lysette, with whom he’d starred in A Ghost In Monte Carlo in 1990. He is said to have found love with Lysette 33 years after they first kissed on-screen in the movie. A friend of the actress revealed after they reconnected: “It’s a serious romance and has been going on for some time. They make an adorable couple. Lysette is head over heels with him.”

On social media Lysette posted pictures of the two of them together, using shots of them kissing in the 1990 film, which is based a Barbara Cartland novel, alongside pictures of them at the time. She captioned the Instagram post: ‘My Forever Love.’

Marcus and Lysette got together after a friend told him that she was suffering from Parkinson’s. “I couldn’t imagine such a free-spirited person as her having Parkinson’s,” he explained. ‘I’ve never remembered much about our affair on that film but what I do remember is every single word I said to her on set in that church when my character was marrying hers. It’s a Barbara Cartland film so it’s a bit naff, but I was saying, “My darling” and staring into those huge blue eyes.

“When I heard she had Parkinson’s, I wrote to her agent. I remembered her vibrancy, her joy of life. I wanted to help in any way I could.”

Speaking of their first meeting after many decades, Lysette said: “He walks in and he’s wearing a corduroy suit — crumpled, gorgeous. We sit and talk. Six hours later we’re still talking.

“He loved his wife so very much so there was guilt. But he’s had a 28-year marriage with two remarkable children, which is the biggest mark of success.”

She revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer in March and had been determined to get better. “All I did the first day he was in hospital was cry, but Marcus is ridiculously brave. He wants to get well and we want to live,” she said.

One of his last social media posts was with Lysette. Marcus called her a “beautiful lady” and shared a picture of the couple sitting inside a church with his dog.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeand Threads.

Amanda Holden shares regrets over Les Dennis marriage with Alan Carr

Amanda and Les tied the knot back in 1995 after a whirlwind relationship

Amanda Holden has opened up her regrets following her divorce from her first husband Les Dennis. The TV star shared an emotional chat with her best friend Alan Carr, in which she admitted she’d “made mistakes” in the past but it shaped her to become the person she is today.

Amanda and Les tied the knot in 1995 before separating in 2002. The couple divorced the following year. The breakdown of their marriage came two years after her affair with co-star Neil Morrissey surfaced.

Speaking on the latest episode of their BBC One travel series, Amanda & Alan’s Greek Job, Amanda shared: “I mean, obviously we’ve both been through a divorce, we’ve both made mistakes and as much as I regret hurting people maybe, or causing chaos, it shapes you to who you are in this moment. And I think life is too short to have regrets.”

READ MORE: Amanda Holden’s best looks from The Greek Job series—and where to buy her exact clothes

Reflecting on his own regrets, Alan – who is currently single – admitted: “I mean it’s not decisions for me but knowing your worth and the amount of times I’ve been walked over and people have demeaned me.”

Amanda responded: “You are soft, you’re so lovely as he continued: “There’s time that I’d wished I’d said no, I wish I’d been a bit bolder and a bit stronger.”

She added: “After a divorce, what you do think is that you are never gonna find love again. Do you sort of trust yourself to fall in love and make a good decision about somebody for the rest of your life?”

Admitting he has trust issues, Alan replied: “Yeah, it’d be nice wouldn’t it? I don’t really trust anyone really, that’s the trouble. I think that is my main thing.”

Amanda is now happily married to Chris Hughes, with whom she shares two daughters – Lexi, born in 2006, and Hollie, born in 2012.

Meanwhile, Alan was in a 14-year relationship with Paul Drayton. After ten years together, the duo married in 2018, with Adele officiating the ceremony at her home in LA. But their relationship sadly suffered in lockdown and they divorced in 2022.

Amanda and Alan’s honest conversation comes after Amanda admitted she knew he did well on Celebrity Traitors, because she didn’t hear from him for two weeks.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge sussed her close friend’s success when Alan, 49, did not call her during the production of the show. The comedian usually rings Amanda every day so the actress quickly became suspicious during the spring, when filming took place at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

Alan went on to win The Celebrity Traitors but, though he wasn’t allowed to tell anyone, Amanda, 54, had a hunch he at least “did well” on the programme. Speaking yesterday, she said: “I knew he must have done well because I didn’t speak to him for two weeks, normally we speak every day.

“He’s been around for so long, but everyone’s suddenly like, ‘Oh, I love Alan Carr’, and I think, ‘How is he a new thing to you? He’s always been this brilliant’.”

Mother-of-three Amanda added: “My daughter Holly, who’s always loved him, said to me, ‘Everyone’s asking me about Alan’, and I say to them, ‘You’ve met Alan, he was in the back garden at our party, and you weren’t bothered about him then’.

“Alan’s literally brought them a cup of tea in bed or been on holiday with them. But now they’re really into him, it’s brought a whole new generation because of all the TikToks and the memes, which is lovely.”

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Alan recently said Amanda, who was in popular drama Wild at Heart, would be “great” on The Celebrity Traitors . Amanda hinted she would want to be a traitor if she was going to do the programme, which airs on the BBC .

Susanna Reid looks ‘beautiful’ in high street midi dress with waist-flattering fit

Susanna Reid wowed on Good Morning Britain this week in her green satin midi dress, which has a waist-flattering fitted shape, and it’s still available in all sizes

On Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid wowed in another stand out midi dress that we’re already dreaming of adding to our wardrobes. As with many of Susanna’s dresses, the green satin midi dress is the perfect balance of both work-appropriate and elegant, which means it’s something you can wear for multiple occasions.

Her exact dress is the Isabelle Textured Satin Dress which you can pick up from Hobbs, with Susanna saying: “Love this @hobbslondon sage number.” The dress comes in both petite and regular lengths, and good news for fans who want to copy the look, because it’s still in stock in all sizes from six to 22.

READ MORE: Save £100 on Claudia Winkleman’s exact black and white loafers from The Traitors

READ MORE: Susanna Reid’s flattering GMB shirt dress that ‘fits perfectly’ is now 55% off

Susanna’s fans were also quick to praise the dress on Instagram, with one saying: “Love that colour on you!” Whilst another wrote: “Wow you look absolutely stunning in that dress,” and a third added: “Looking beautiful.”

The Isabelle Textured Satin Dress is a timeless classic, with short puff sleeves and a flowing midi length skirt that create an elegant shape. It also gathers under the bust in an empire silhouette for a flattering fit that flares out over your stomach and hips without clinging.

Its sage green colour is also a great shade that suits a range of skin tones, and the hammered satin material gives it a more elevated look. Although Susanna wore the Isabelle Textured Satin Dress for work, pairing it with some contrasting white heels and a red lip, you could absolutely wear it for more formal events like weddings or race days with a simple accessory switch up.

You could even wear it with your favourite trainers or loafers and a cosy wool coat for a more laid back look, making the Isabelle Textured Satin Dress one that’s going to work hard in your wardrobe. The dress is a splurge, however, at £179, which is worth paying if you know you’ll get plenty of wear out of this staple dress.

However if it’s a little over your budget, we found some other great options like this Rosie Ruched Puff Sleeve Dress in Sage from Omnes, which is currently on sale down from £99 to £49.50. If green isn’t your colour, it also comes in seven other shades including pink, red and navy.

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We also spotted a lovely alternative at Coast, with the Lace Trim Maxi Dress now £41 down from £129, which has a slightly slinkier style with sleeveless straps and lace trim detailing. Nobody’s Child has also slashed its Green Frill Sleeve Lola Midi Dress from £53 to £89, with the code EXTRA15 getting you an additional 15% off.

Harry Styles fans in frenzy as cryptic clues around UK tease massive 2026 comeback

Harry Styles fans are in a frenzy over cryptic “We belong together” billboards and a new website. With clues pointing to fresh music and a 2026 tour, a massive comeback seems imminent

Devotees of pop sensation Harry Styles have been whipped into a frenzy after discovering what appears to be a major hint that he could be staging a significant return.

The chart-topper stepped back from touring and releasing tracks after wrapping up his worldwide Love On Tour shows in 2023. However, dedicated followers are now convinced he’s poised to drop fresh material – and potentially embark on another tour – in the near future.

On social media platforms, supporters from around the globe have documented sightings of “We belong together” billboards in locations such as Rome, Sao Paulo and most recently Manchester. On January 12, the identical poster emerged on Barclay House along Whitworth Street West, close to music venues Gorilla and The Ritz, with a fan sharing the discovery on TikTok alongside the caption: “It’s not a drill. Harry Styles posters in Manchester.”

READ MORE: Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz’s relationship heats up with major Christmas decisionREAD MORE: Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz spark engagement rumours as they’re spotted in Rome

Sharp-eyed enthusiasts scrutinising footage online identified an additional detail on the Manchester billboard. The top right corner displays ‘Here We Go Again’, though supporters have also highlighted that each poster features unique text.

Fans additionally discovered that a website “webelongtogether.co” had been launched, showcasing a prominent video banner depicting concert-goers at a live performance. At the base of the page sits a copyright notice for Sony Music Entertainment, which serves as Styles’ record label, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Fans clicking the banner are directed to text a phone number (586-533-5477) linked to a contact labelled “HSHQ”, with instructions to send the message: “We belong together.”

The official Harry Styles website, “hstyles.co.uk”, features a sign-up link which, once you’ve entered your details, transforms to display the words “Have a Nice Day”.

This phrase connects to a video the star shared in December, featuring him performing the instrumental of his track ‘Forever, Forever’ at his final Love on Tour gig in Italy. The footage concludes with the words ‘we belong together’ appearing on screen.

Unsurprisingly, the poster’s appearance in Manchester has sent supporters into overdrive, with many speculating whether – alongside fresh music – a tour announcement could be imminent. One fan posted on TikTok: “If I don’t get Manchester I will not be okay”.

Another pleaded: “I have £160 til payday on the 30th. Harry please don’t announce a tour before then I beg you! !”.

Others have noted the timing coincides with the forthcoming BRIT Awards. The ceremony will take place in Manchester for the first time in the music prize’s history on 28 February at Co-op Live.

Fresh material from Harry Styles has been eagerly anticipated. His most recent release was in 2022 with ‘Harry’s House’, which scooped numerous prestigious accolades including the GRAMMY for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, alongside the BRIT Award for British Album of the Year and MTV VMA for Album of the Year.

Love on Tour marked the second concert tour by Styles, promoting his second and third studio albums – Fine Line and Harry’s House. The tour spanned over 22 months, concluding in July 2023 in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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The concerts were initially postponed due to the pandemic but eventually kicked off in September 2021 in Las Vegas. Harry delivered over 43 performances across the United States, earning accolades from fans and critics alike.

His shows featured a medley of his global hit singles including ‘Sign of the Times’, ‘Lights Up’, ‘Adore You’, ‘Watermelon Sugar’ and ‘Kiwi’.