Share

Your ultimate winter beauty guide for all skin types, every shade, and all budget sizes

accreditation
All the products you need for your best skin
All the products you need for your best skin

Summer may make some people's skin susceptible to heat rash, body acne and the after effects of sunburn, but it would also appear that winter has its own fair share of skin woes. 

Dehydrated skin, dryness and tightness, cracked lips, what I refer to as 'flu nostrils' , and a lighter complexion that requires you to change your foundation are all areas of concern that we start paying more attention to during the winter season. 

READ MORE: The dangers of using expired face cream and other beauty products  

One of the main reasons for such concerns is that normal skin does not lock in as much moisture in winter as it would in the summer months, and this is therefore why experts at Evolve Spa recommend alternating your skincare routine so it can adjust to the changes in temperature. 

What this entails is adjusting your skin regimen ever so slightly - you might have already done so by now, but if not, take the following advice into consideration: 

- Exfoliate 1-2 times a week

- Apply a hydration mask 1-2 times a week

- Add a hydrating serum to your daily skincare regime 

- When booking in a regular facial, ask your skincare professional to analyse your skin and adjust your facial accordingly

- Most importantly, always use a moisturiser with SPF  

READ MORE: How the founder of a local natural beauty brand created the solution to South African women's hair and skin needs

In light of this, we've compiled a list of our top recommendations of skin products for every skin type, and makeup for every shade of melanin. 

"All I'm in is just skin"

Sensual Rihanna lyrics aside, at the end of the day all you literally are in when you take your makeup off is your skin - make sure you take good care of it at all times. 

And good skin starts with a good diet. Why not make that diet vegan?

The Woolworths W.Beauty range is one that prides itself on being vegan-friendly. 

And if you have sensitive skin, you’ll have far less to worry about when using vegan-friendly products because they are made up of ingredients that are less likely to cause acne rashes and dry out skin. And of course, the major benefit is better-looking skin thanks to the all-natural ingredients - they hydrate the skin, reduce the appearance of ageing and help with uneven skin tones. 

Try:

Skin

W.Beauty hydrating sheet mask, R55 at Woolworths

Product description: This sheet mask with hyaluronic acid helps with intense moisturisation for smooth, soft skin. It contains Vitamin A, E and C.

winter skin

W.Beauty cleanse exfoliating cleanser, R120 at Woolworths 

Product description: Deeply cleanses and removes impurities while maintaining pH balance and moisture.

W.Beauty

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream, R829 for 50ml or R299 for 15ml at select Dermalogica concept stores and Sorbet salons

Product description: This moisturiser has been upgraded with the latest technology to feature state-of-the-art Active HydraMesh Technology, which works on a molecular level to help reduce TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and infuse skin with 48 hours of continuous hydration.

skin care

Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon, R1399 for 50ml 

Product description: This is a vegan revitalising treatment gel-cream that transforms skin overnight by optimising nighttime skin recovery.

dry skin

READ MORE: The best 5 cruelty-free beauty brands you should probably shop right now  

Letibalm repair liquid 10ml, R59.99 at Dis-Chem

Product description: For that post-flu nose I was talking about. This balm has been created specifically for the nose, lips and the skin in-between, which tends to dry out and peel when you've had a cold. 

dry skin


Solal oil to milk cleanser, R209 for 100ml at Dis-Chem 

Product description: This cleanser contains hydrating properties that not only moisturise, but help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

winter cleansers

"Magic's in the makeup"

And now that your skin is sorted, the magic is indeed in the makeup. 

Foundation 

Esse

I recently had the pleasure of trying out one of the 10 shades from Esse's new probiotic organic foundation range. The first time I wore it I had an evening event to attend. Because this foundation's coverage is medium, it was ideal for the soft glam look I usually go for when I have special occasions. I also appreciate how dewy and creamy the finish is - it really compliments already glowing skin. 

Although I had a full face of makeup on, I didn't feel like my face was carrying the weight of it and I'd like to think that's because this Esse foundation is light and therefore doesn't suffocate the pores. 

Oh, and the the certified SPF30 sun protection factor is no doubt a welcome benefit. If you need anymore convincing, this vegan product is also concerned with sensitive skin, hence it is fragrance free and uses mild preservatives and rapidly biodegradable emulsifiers.

The recommended retail price for this foundation is R595 online or at Esse concept stores, or find your nearest store here

Avon

Another new foundation I tried this winter is Avon's new True Ultramatte foundation for all skin types. I often complain that I have the oiliest skin in South Africa, so I do often lean towards mattifying foundations when I can. 

I've worn this foundation to work and I'll give it props for the smooth filter it created on my skin without leaving any greyness. However, because of office conditions I do find myself still having to dab away the shine every now and then.

You'll also be happy to know that this is an affordable foundation, currently retailing at R99.90 from Avon

Available in 12 shades.

Justine

W24's Marilynn recently gave Justine's new Perfect Liquid Foundation with SPF15, which is available in 17 shades, a go. This is what she had to say about it: 

"I was pleasantly surprised after I used the Justine foundation in the shade 'honey' because I didn’t expect the amount of coverage it was capable of giving my skin.

"What I also like about the foundation is that it’s longwear. I found that when I was indoors and only slightly active, the foundation stayed intact for most of the day. However, in warmer conditions - the office heater, for instance - my face did become oily/shiny and needed constant retouching with my beauty blender.

"I also enjoyed the fact that the foundation was neither too heavy or too light, so my skin could breathe but still look flawless. I would definitely recommend this product to people looking for quality at an affordable price." 

You can get the Justine Purely Perfect liquid foundation for R175 from Justine Cosmetics.

Other makeup essentials

W24's Phelokazi doesn't wear makeup daily, but she does love a good lipstick so she tried W.Beauty's vegan hydro lipstick. 

These were her thoughts on this must-have lippie:

"The W.Beauty hydro lipstick has the best finish for me - one that is a little velvety, but can pass as matte. True to its name, it doesn't leave your lips dry after removing it.

"Seeing natural oils on the ingredient list and knowing its cruelty free puts my mind at ease that both my skin and my environment are safe." 

Get yours for R150 at Woolworths.

vegan beauty

A makeup essential I also swear by (besides red lipstick) is an illuminating stick - I use it to give my nose a bit of depth because I don't contour. 

An illuminating stick I've come to love is the Sir John x W.Beauty one - not only is it also vegan, but it's the brainchild of Beyonce's MUA, and we all know Bey is all about saving the environment. 

This retails for R180 at selected Woolworths stores.

makeup

Sign up to W24’s newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our hot stories and giveaways.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE