Winter is coming. Enter your cold-weather woes: Dryness, redness, irritation and flare-ups in all the wrong places. Yup, same! Proper skincare is a year-round commitment, but as the temperatures drop, it’s not just more moisturiser that’s needed. From switching up your cleanser to treatments and elixirs to nourish and protect all season, this is our editor’s guide to tackling winter skin based on your skin concern. Because ‘winter face’ is a real condition, girls.

If you have dryness 

“My skin is flaky and gets even more parched after I wash my makeup off” 

Lamelle Serra Cleansing Gel 

Repeat after us: You can take off your makeup without leaving your skin stripped of moisture. Leave it to Lamelle to make a soap, fragrance and paraben-free cleanser that does just that. Not only does this milky gel have a skin-soothing creamy texture and a featherweight froth, it also grips onto the day’s grime and excess oils to sweep them right off. We found that this no-fuss vegetable glycerin formula soothed our particularly parched, easily inflamed complexion. 

R230 from www.dermastore.co.za 

Placecol Moisture Hold Therapy Intense Moisture Retention Daily Treatment 

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what this brand-new concentrated hydrating serum does when it seems to address a handful of skin concerns – like skin texture, a compromised skin barrier, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Full of hydrators and skin-restoring ingredients, it’s perfectly formulated for when transepidermal water loss increases. Our thirsty face literally drinks it up – we went through our first bottle in a month. This one is quite the overachiever. 

R330 from Foschini and www.takealot.com 

Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm AD Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil 

Yes, a moisturising body butter can help thwart seasonal dryness, but don’t sleep on the transformative power of body washes. Eau Thermale Avène know what they’re doing when it comes to nutrient-rich, nourishing formulas. This latest ultra-gentle launch has won over plenty of fans – it takes the best bits from basic body washes (the ability to deep clean) and the best bits from shower oils (the ability to hydrate). It’s the unsung hero we never knew we needed. 

R285 from Clicks, Dis-Chem and www.dermastore.co.za 

If you have dull skin 

“My complexion just looks tired and dull” 

Nip+Fab Vitamin C Serum Fix 

Winter is the perfect time to incorporate vitamin C – a hardworking antioxidant that gives skin a brightening lift – into your regimen. One of the more affordable products in this edit but one with a plethora of five-star reviews, the Nip+Fab vitamin C serum for face blends carrot oil with açaí berry extract to deliver dramatic brightness by the time the bottle runs empty. We love layering it before makeup in the morning for a glow that shines through the foundation you wear on top. 

R295 from Dis-Chem 

Sothys Hydra-Smoothing Mask 

If you’re looking to benefit from a little glow, this refining mask is also highly effective at transforming dull skin. Sothy’s supremely dreamy Hydra-Smoothing Mask flaunts hyaluronic acid and boletus mushroom extract to reveal a bright, smooth photo-ready face. That makes it an ideal treatment before a date, wedding or when you just want to smash the skin game. It says to leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, but we’d recommend longer for maximum absorption. 

R640 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select spas and salons 

Diego dalla Palma Professional Body Bioenergy Draining Anti-Cellulite Thalasso Scrub 

Is there anything better than unwinding with an indulgent winter bath routine? We think not. If summer has left you feeling slightly rough around the edges, this rejuvenating body scrub is all you need to get back to your polished self. Quite frankly, it does exactly what it says on the tub. Pink Himalayan salt is combined with black cumin and passion flower oils for a scrub that melts into the skin, revealing super-soft, radiant skin underneath. The result? A truly heavenly body. 

R1,045 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select spas and salons 

If you have sensitivity and irritation 

“My skin is so dry that it feels tight, red and all-round uncomfortable” 

Exuviance Soothing Recovery Serum 

Sensitive skin can be caused by genetics and occur consistently. However, your skin can also become sensitive as a result of product application or certain environmental factors, including UV exposure and fluctuations in external temperature. Rich in peptides, this brand-new milky serum will balance pores and fortify upset skin. With consistent use, it soothes, moisturises as well as cools and relieves redness to leave the most sensitive of skins feeling soft and calm. 

R1,106.62 from www.dermastore.co.za, Sorbet salons and select stockists 

Skinderm Hydrating Repair Mask 

For those with seriously sensitive skin, many face masks are simply out of the question. But this mask is formulated with konjac root powder, shea butter and other strengthening ingredients, so your skin barrier feels supported. We love the Skinderm Hydrating Repair Mask because it calms and repairs the complexion. Obsessed is an understatement! You can use it to lock in moisture while you snooze or as a 15-minute wash-off mask, depending on your preferences. 

R395 from Foschini and www.takealot.com 

Lamelle Nourish Revitalise Eye Cream 

If you’ve got a reactive complexion, you’re wise to be a little wary of adding a new eye cream to your daily skincare roster. But when it comes to sensitive skin, Lamelle knows what’s up – and the fast-absorbing Nourish Revitalise Eye Cream is no exception. Loaded with vitamin C and peptides, this rich eye cream gently moisturises without leaving the skin greasy or overloaded. What’s more, the formula is free of anything aggressive, making it perfect for sensitives eyes. 

R695 from www.dermastore.co.za 

If you have hyperpigmentation 

“A bit like a bad ex, my dark spots and patches keep returning” 

Creightons Pink Grapefruit Daily Face Scrub 

Face scrubs are making a safe comeback. Especially during winter – when our skin is exposed to a harsher climate – gentle exfoliation is key to bringing out the best in our skin. This fruity exfoliant might be the most affordable option on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. While it does sound like a delicious smoothie, it’s a cocktail for the skin thanks to its combination of pink grapefruit and finely-ground walnut shell. A great all-rounder that can be used every day. 

R69.95 from Dis-Chem 

SVR Clairial Day Anti-Brown Spot Unifying Corrector SPF 30 

Summer may be long gone, but some of it remains – in the form of speckles given the unfortunate name of ‘dark spots’. When targeting dark spots, it’s all about the active ingredients that do the corrective work. This daily use treatment utilises Duo White, a depigmenting complex that lowers melanin production, and marine micro-organism to minimise the appearance and reoccurrence of hyperpigmentation. Say goodbye to dark spots new and old! 

R690 from www.absoluteskin.co.za, www.shopfomo.com and www.riekiemedaesthetic.co.za 

Lamelle Helase Urban Defence 30 

It’s no secret that wearing sunscreen is essential, but not all sunscreens are created equal. When you live in a city, the effects of pollution are as much a threat as sun damage. Luckily, Lamelle has the solution in the form of the new Helase Urban Defence 30, which is perfect for a city dweller with skin that needs a refresh. No white cast? Check. Absorbs quickly? Check? Packed with skin-loving ingredients and feels as soft as velvet? Check, check and check. 

R550 from www.dermastore.co.za 

If you have ageing skin 

“My wrinkles and crow’s feet look more pronounced right now” 

NeoStrata Resurface Glycolic Mousse Cleanser 

‘Tis the season for dermaplaning, microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Fortunately, the brand-new NeoStrata Resurface Glycolic Mousse Cleanser is also efficient in removing unwanted buildup. You might think glycolic acid is out of the question if you have dry, reactive skin, but this pick proves that isn’t always the case. A multi-acid blend of glycolic, lactobionic and alpha-hydroxy acids team up to earn top marks when you also want an anti-ageing boost.  

R637 from Skin Renewal, www.dermastore.co.za, www.skinmiles.com and www.skinsmart.co.za 

Exuviance Retinol Eye Creme 

Retinol isn’t just for your face. One of the latest additions to the brand’s range committed to the anti-aging game, this eye cream features a dose of firming retinol, peptides, vitamin E and NeoGlucosamine – Exuviance’s non-acid amino sugar technology to promote the development of new, tighter skin cells. What it doesn’t have is irritating additives, distracting scents or a lot of unnecessary hype. The best part is that you’ll start to see noticeable results in a few weeks. 

R1,088.13 from www.dermastore.co.za, Sorbet salons and select stockists 

Gatineau Age Benefit Youth Revitalizing Oil-Serum 

Skin that tends to lose moisture quickly will love this oil-serum. What makes it special? For starters, the bi-phase formula absorbs into the skin within seconds and leaves it luminous. Also, the top phase – which relies on Persian silk tree, chestnut seed and barbary fig extracts plus meadowfoam, rosehip and camelia oils – delivers loads of essential vitamins and antioxidants known to have great anti-ageing effects. Use it last in your routine for resilient skin that glows. 

R1,650 from from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Woolworths, Truworths and Dis-Chem stores