While we might experience glorious, balmy summers in SA, our winters are often far from mild! Unlike other countries, most people in Mzansi don’t have indoor heating and have to rely on gas and electric heaters. This means that, when the temperatures drop, we *really* feel it!
The cold months often come hand-in-hand with skin concerns. One of the biggest is dryness due to a lack of moisture in the air. By adding a few ingredients to your skincare routine, however, you can keep winter skin woes at bay. Here are four to include in yours for a healthy glow all season long.
1. Shea butter
This ingredient is derived straight from nature and has deeply nourishing benefits for every inch of your body, from your hair to your feet. It is an emollient, which means that it forms a protective barrier around your skin. This prevents transepidermal water loss and keeps your skin soft and hydrated.
2. Hyaluronic acid
A must-have ingredient for dry and dehydrated skin, hyaluronic acid is known as the moisture molecule. This is because it can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water, attracting it from the air and onto your skin for long-lasting hydration. It’s gentle enough to be used on all skin types.
3. Ceramides
For our skin to be healthy, our skin’s protective barrier needs to be functioning well. This is why it needs to be kept moisturised. Skincare with ceramides – or the fatty acids our bodies produce naturally – can help to strengthen and fortify your skin so that the weather doesn’t dry out your complexion.
4. Vitamin C
Just as we rely on vitamin C to protect our immune system, using it on your skin can also keep it protected from environmental stressors. It helps to fade dark spots while simultaneously preventing UV damage (which happens even in winter!) so that your skin is clear with a healthy glow.
