Winter is on its way in South Africa and with it comes colder temperatures and lower humidity levels (especially in the air-conditioned heated indoors). It can leave our skin feeling dry, dull, and dehydrated. But don't worry – with the right skincare routine, you can keep your skin looking and feeling its best all autumn and winter long. Here are 5 tips for hydrated skin this season, with product recommendations from our selection of specially curated Korean skincare products.
1. Carry a hydrating mist or a moisturising multi-balm in your handbag!
When you're out and about during the day, a quick spritz of a hydrating mist can help refresh and hydrate your skin on-the-go. We recommend the compact yet powerful Huxley Sense of Balance Essential Mist, which contains prickly pear cactus extract to soothe and hydrate the skin, along with peach blossom and plum flower extract to provide extra hydration and help strengthen the skins moisture barrier.
One of the latest Korean skincare trends is the use of a moisturising multi-balm (think a lip balm, but for your whole face!). These multi-tasking products are fantastic for re-applying moisture to dry areas throughout the day and protecting your skin from cold wind or heater heat - think around your eyes, nose and lips. Lightly Darling recommends the Thank You Farmer's Rice Pure Aqua Multi Balm. Carry it with you anywhere and use it whenever your skin needs a little extra TLC.
2. Opt for a heavier moisturiser
As the weather gets colder and drier, it's important to switch to a slightly heavier moisturising cream that will provide long-lasting hydration throughout the day. Thank You Farmer's Rice Pure Gel and Cream is a great option for all skin types as one can customise the gel to cream ratio to fit your specific skin needs as the seasons change.
For the Huxley fans who enjoy the Glow Awakening Cream we recommend swapping for the slightly richer Huxley Anti-Gravity cream during the colder months. Another great option for those with dry skin is the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream.
3. Consider a Sleep Mask
While you sleep, your skin works hard to repair and regenerate itself – and a sleep mask can help boost that process. We love the COSRX Propolis Honey Overnight Mask, which contains propolis extract to soothe and hydrate the skin, along with niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone.
4. Add a sheet mask into your skincare routine
Sheet masks are a great way to give your skin an extra boost of hydration and nourishment. We recommend the Dr. Jart DerMask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution, which contains hyaluronic acid and seaweed extract to deeply hydrate and plump the skin. Other great options include the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Facial Barrier Mask and the Dr. Ceuracle Hyal ReYouth Lifting Mask.
5. Swap to a gentler facial cleanser
During the winter months, it's important to use a gentle facial cleanser that won't strip your skin of its natural oils. You may find that especially if you have dry skin that your skin needs something more gentle during winter months. Swap out your summer foaming cleanser for a gel or milk cleanser.
Try Huxley's Cleansing Gel Be Clean Be Moist, which contains cactus extract to hydrate and soothe the skin or the DewyTree Hi Amino All Cleansing Milk an ultra sensitive milk cleanser formulated with skin firming amino acids (oat, apple, milk and coconut extract) that deeply hydrate the skin while clarifying and cleaning.
5. Don't forget your lips!
Lips can also become dry and chapped during the winter months. Keep them hydrated with a nourishing lip balm like Dr. Jart's Ceramidin Lipair that's packed with ceramides to retain moisture and keep your lips hydrated all day long.
Thank you Vega@LightlyDarling for giving me courage to face the cold and dry seasons with your advice and optimal skin care