‘Tis the season of wintry transitions. It may feel a little cliché to talk about adjusting your skincare routine along with your wardrobe as we go from summer to winter, but there’s a reason why so many people do. What better way to survive the cold, after all – or at least distract from it – than by reaching for a truly sensational, seasonal splurge from Dermastore? These are the winter beauty essentials our editor can’t live without, that will help brighten, soothe, hydrate and protect your skin in the months ahead.
pHformula MD EXFO Cleanse
If we were to list three products you need for glowing skin, this gentle exfoliating cleanser would be at the top of the list. Made from a healthy dose of superstar exfoliator lactobionic acid plus papaya enzyme for a shot of extra brightness, this cushy everyday cleanser cleanses and polishes the skin, leaving it feeling soft, silky and completely refreshed. It’s so delicate that even overzealous scrubbers won’t overdo it. For that luminous finish you’re going for, leave it on as a mask for 10 minutes and rinse off. I swear by this product for its ability to brighten without irritating my sensitive skin.
R445 for 100ml from www.dermastore.co.za
Huxley Anti-Gravity Cream
K-beauty skincare brand, Huxley incorporates prickly pear seed oil from the Sahara Desert into every cream, toner and essence in its line – and it’s all available from Dermastore. I seal my winter skincare routine with this thick, luxurious cream that helps minimise flaking and irritation, creating a healthy glow with or without makeup. Formulated for dry and tired skin, it creates a protective barrier to lock in hydration and fend off environmental harm such as stress, pollution and heat. Get ready for hydrated, healthy, radiant skin that feels much softer than a cactus!
R590 from www.dermastore.co.za
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
Hyaluronic acid has become something of a beauty buzzword and not without good reason. It’s the one ingredient you need to add to your skincare routine ASAP, because a moisturiser isn’t always good enough for seriously thirsty skin. If you’re in the mood to splash some cash, let it be on this superior, oil-free hydrating serum. Ignore the word ‘gel’ – this is a thin, clear liquid that doesn’t go hand in hand with thick, greasy or gloppy. Packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, which holds massive amounts of water in the skin, I smooth it on morning and night for plumped-up, flake-free skin.
R1,390 from www.dermastore.co.za
Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Radiance Mask
Eau Thermale Avène is one of my failsafe brands for sensitised skin. I love its cult-favourite Thermal Spring Water, which I have strewn around my apartment for whenever I’m in need of some instant relief. Another fabulous winter pick-me-up is this mask, which is delivered in a tube that’s been filled with a luxe blend of safflower oil and natural red fruit extract for a true moisture bath for the skin. This 15-minute mask feels cool against your skin and is ultra-soothing – it calms, brightens, softens and generously moisturises. It’s been dubbed by new go-to remedy for visibly dewier skin.
R265 from www.dermastore.co.za
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Cleansing Oil AP+
Your entire body needs extra TLC throughout winter. So, just as you routinely cleanse your face, you should also cleanse your body with a product that rebuilds a healthy skin barrier. This cleansing oil checks all the boxes: It smells sublime (clean and fresh), soothes the sensation of tightness (thanks, shea butter and niacinamide) and protects skin against the over-drying effects of hard water. The formula is also hypoallergenic and soap-free, yet it still leaves skin feeling clean. For use in the bath, I pour the equivalent of five pumps into my bath water while filling the tub.
R280 for 400ml from www.dermastore.co.za
Huxley Moroccan Gardener Body Oil
After you towel off, make sure to hydrate. Reach for your favourite body lotion on the regular, but for a special treat every once in a while, apply this body oil that has a bit more density. This gold-star formula made with prickly pear seed and sunflower seed oils, green tea extract and vitamin E won’t leave you feeling greasy or completely ruin your clothes forever – because smooth, subtly fragranced skin shouldn’t come at the cost of your closet! It’s virtually every body-oil newbie’s dream and has some of the chicest minimal packaging in the game. I also use it on my hands, feet and cuticles.
R590 from www.dermastore.co.za
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* This post was kindly sponsored by Dermastore.
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