Your Complete Guide to a Gorgeous Winter

They don’t call it Old Man Winter for nothing: cold temperatures and air aren’t exactly what you need to look dewy, luminous or young. That’s all going to change, because we asked top experts how to protect your skin, hair and body from the cold so you can feel beautiful all season long.

- Kayleigh Donahue Hodes

Switch to an oil cleanser

A foaming face wash is great to cut through all that summer sweat, but it’s going to overstrip your skin in winter, when you should be holding on to every bit of moisture you can. So change to a gentle, lotion-like cleanser or, better yet, one that’s oil-based. ‘It’ll remove makeup and impurities, but won’t rinse away your skin’s natural oils,’ says dermatologist Dr Julie Karen. Try KIEHL’S Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil (R650 for 175ml).

Use a face lotion with ceramides

‘Your skin’s outer few layers, known as the barrier, are the foundation of everything,’ explains dermatologist Dr Vivian Bucay. ‘Constant exposure to dry air can compromise the barrier, leading to microscopic cracks in it. When this happens, you experience inflammation – such as rosacea, eczema or psoriasis – and it can also contribute to accelerated ageing.’ The cure: a daily moisturiser that’s full of ceramides, which act like little personal trainers to keep the barrier strong and healthy. Try ESTÉE LAUDER DayWear Advanced MultiProtection Anti-Oxidant Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 15 (R620), which is rich in ceramides. What won’t work as well is a lotion that relies solely on humectants such as hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated. ‘These ingredients pull moisture from the air to your skin, but since there’s inherently less humidity during the colder months, they’re not going to be as effective,’ says dermatologist Dr Marcy Street.

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