5 ways our beauty editor wants you to tweak your winter skincare routine

1. SWITCH TO CLEANSING MILKS OR OILS

When preparing your skin for the winter season ahead, start at the base and opt for cleansing oils, milks and balms that will add hydration and lipids to the skin as they cleanse away dirt and makeup.

Cleansers that are super foamy and lightweight are great for summer but in winter – they can be quite stripping, leaving skin dry and tight.

If cleansing oil is too oily for you but you still want that hydrated feeling – you can use a bi-phase makeup remover with oil to remove dirt and makeup and then follow up with your normal cleanser.

BEAUTY BUYS TO TRY:

Steal: Ordinary Cleanser, R165.

Splurge: Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Milk, R865.

2. ADD A SOOTHING TONER OR MIST

Believe it or not everyone’s skin gets sensitive during winter regardless if you have a sensitive skin or not. While it is adapting to the unpredictable weather, skin will show adjustment signs in the form of redness, dull complexion, uneven texture or even break outs.

Use a facial mist or alcohol-free toner with ingredients such as vitamin B6, chamomile, aloe vera, cucumber extracts or coconut water to hydrate skin, even out skin tone, soothe any irritation and prime the skin’s surface.

BEAUTY BUYS TO TRY:

Steal: Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray, 150ml, R160.

Splurge: QMS Freshening Tonic, 200ml, R625.

3. EMBRACE MASKS, BOOSTERS AND SERUMS

This part of your skincare may not feel too important in summer, but come winter and your skin is crying out for a little extra TLC.

Treating your skin more intensely with masks, antioxidant skin boosters and serums that target your most common skin concerns during winter such as dehydration, dullness, fine lines or unevenness will greatly improve your overall skin health at home without having to book an emergency appointment with your dermatologist.

Apply your serums and boosters twice daily before moisturising and use a mask once a week.

BEAUTY BUYS TO TRY:

SERUMS:

Steal: SIX Vitamin Booster Oil, R535.

Splurge: Dermaceutic Tri Vita C30 Vitamin C Serum, R1,600.

MASKS:

Steal: Theravine Hydrating Gel Mask R371.

Splurge: Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment, R850.

4. GET FAMILIAR WITH FACIAL OILS

If you don’t already use facial oils, it’s time to get familiar with them as soon as possible.  During winter, skin tends to become very dry and tight. Applying a dry facial oil, either alone or mixed in with your moisturiser helps to create a lipid barrier on the skin, sealing in moisture and increasing the moisture levels within the skin, plus that luminous glow that facial oils leave doesn’t hurt either.

BEAUTY BUYS TO TRY:

Steal: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour All Over Miracle Oil, R399.

Splurge: Elemis Superfood Facial Oil, R1,050.

5. INTRODUCE RETINOL TO YOUR NIGHT TIME ROUTINE

Retinol is one of the best ingredients to add to your routine to encourage cell renewal, improve skin texture and increase collagen production within the skin.

Though an extremely effective ingredient, it can sensitise the skin causing irritation and even flaking so it’s important to use it during the night if it has a high clinical strength or when the weather is much cooler to minimise sun exposure and always use sunscreen to protect. 

BEAUTY BUYS TO TRY:

Steal:  Placecol Illumine Retinol Serum, R640.

Splurge: NeoStrata Skin Active Retinol + NAG Complex, R1,464.