I have to say that this winter definitely feels colder and drier than the previous few.  This could be down to any number of things, but one is that we took a trip this past weekend, and headed to the Drakensberg.  We also took a drive up Sani Pass and into Lesotho, where it was ICY cold.  Either way, the winter season brings with it dry skin and hair.  I’ve put together my winter essentials, that help me get through the super dry season and come into spring feeling a little less parched.

BODYCARE

Milk Solutions Milk & Honey Softening Foot lotion*

I’ve tried quite a few foot products in my time, only to be disappointed.  Usually they don’t work any better than a regular body lotion, and they cost twice as much.

This offering from Milk Solutions really does the trick though!  I have pedicures every 6 weeks or so, and find that in between I really battle to keep my skin feeling soft.  I’ve used this every night when I climb into bed, and my feet honestly feel softer than usual.  Granted, they’ll never feel just like the do after a professional pedi, that baby-soft feeling can’t last forever.  However, it’s an at home maintenance treatment that truly works to stop your feet returning to the dreadful, dry state that you walked into your local salon with.

Definitely something I’ll need to repurchase once my small tube has finished.

Mixa Soothing Body Lotion

I cannot even begin to describe how much I’ve raved about this product.  I’ve mentioned it so many times on social media and on my blog, but my most recent post was HERE in my June Favourites.

This product feels insanely light on the skin, yet at the same time nourishing and pretty luxe.  It isn’t greasy or sticky at all, and yet it leaves my skin feeling hydrated all day long.  It also is incredibly soothing, and after applying this, I can almost feel my skin breathe a sigh of relief.

I’ve used my own money to purchase the small and large bottles of this, and I’ll continue to repurchase it.

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion*

Since I finished up my last bottle of Mixa, I’ve been trialling this tube of Aveeno lotion.  Aveeno is quite new in SA, and is fabulous for sensitive skins, as it contains colloidal oatmeal and promises to deliver hydration for up to 24 hours – something I can truly say it does.

I’ve learned through trial and error with this product that less is more.  Applying an excessive amount doesn’t increase the length of hydration, it just doesn’t absorb and leaves your skin feeling greasy and sticky all day.  It actually broke me out a little on my back (somewhere I do NOT breakout).

By applying just enough lotion to spread across my body, I get the benefits, but not the problems.  My skin is really and honestly nourished all day long, and I haven’t had any irritation from that winter dry flakiness at all.  In actual fact, this was the only body lotion that Hubs and I took away with us to the Berg, and we used it after each shower.  Not once did our skin feel tight or itchy or dry.  This stuff is a must have if you’re travelling somewhere very dry.

If you have very dry skin, this is the one for you.  I like this, but would actually prefer to keep this for my legs, and the Mixa for the rest of my body.  That would be absolute perfection!

Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream

Another one I’ve mentioned before.  This is a super nourishing multi-use cream that I’ve used on rashes, insect bites and dry skin.

If you’re battling to find a hand cream that really does the trick, give this a bash.  I’ve used this on my hands and feet at night when they’ve felt super parched, and it’s done the trick nicely.  If you use it on your hands, it doesn’t leave them feeling greasy and buttery – it sinks in nicely and yet it doesn’t leave them feeling thirsty again after an hour.

I love this for travelling, as you can use it as a multi-use balm on cuticles, hands, feet, dry patches all over, rashes, insect bites, eczema, psoriasis and minor burns.  Good little trick to have on the road!

SKINCARE

Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm

This is the thickest, most nourishing lip balm I’ve every used – in fact, to me, it’s more of a lip mask.  I keep this next to my bed and apply it every night after brushing my teeth, and very seldom do I suffer with chapped lips.

I bought this jar in September last year, and am only about a third of the way through it, even though I use it nightly.  A little really goes a long way and it’s so thick and heavy that I still wake up with product on my lips in the morning.  This is definitely a godsend in winter – I took it with me to the Drakensberg, and I applied it both nights before bed.

My only con to this product is the heavy glass packaging.  Sure, it feels luxe and I feel super fancy using it at night, but I would have loved to cart it everywhere with me in the Berg and apply it as needed.  It’s just too darned heavy to do so.  I guarantee that if I had, my lips would have completely survived the cold and dry weather.  Even as it is, they didn’t get AS chapped as they usually do in the winter.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender*

I picked up the Rose facial spray from Mario Badescu a while ago, as it had been on my wishlist for ages.  They sent me a travel size of the Cucumber one too, and I finished both up and absolutely adored them.  Both sprays are super hydrating, and I used them as toners, makeup finishing sprays and hydrating boosts during the day.

The brand very kindly sent me their latest offering – the Lavender facial spray, and I’ve loved it just as much as the other two.  It also contains a bonus in that it’s packed with vitamin C and soothing lavender.  I’m obsessed with vitamin C in my products lately, and I also suffer with anxiety, so anything calming like lavender is a must have.  I own pillow sprays and pulse point roll-on tubes that contain lavender as it helps me to sleep and keeps me relaxed when anxiety strikes.

This spray is such a nice relaxing way to start my day, a beautiful finish to my nighttime skincare, and a hydrating spritz like no other.

Nikel Evening Primrose Oil

Wow.  I’ve mentioned this facial oil in social media posts and blog posts time and time again since I bought it last year.  This gem has now sadly come to an end, but I have a couple of sample sachets that I will put to good use in the meantime.

If you’re interested in trying out a facial oil, but aren’t keen on something thick and rich, then this is a great place to start.  It’s lightweight, absorbs super fast and it fantastic at hydrating your skin and maintaining it’s moisture levels.  Plus it smells like sweet oranges.

There are also very few ingredients in this oil, and all are fabulous for the skin.  I have loved using this at least 5 or so times a week for almost a year, and the bottle lasted for absolute ages.  It’s an amazing oil to use with a tool like my jade roller too.

Definitely going to repurchase when I’ve finished up the other couple of open oils I have, as I really need to make a concerted effort to go through what I own first before it expires.

Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator*

This is the best hydrating gel-cream moisturiser I’ve tried.  It’s super lightweight and sinks in quickly, yet it leaves a glow to the skin and keeps it feeling super hydrated for ages.

Makeup also applies beautifully over this, and I’ve been using this everytime I apply a full face of foundation, as I get the most beautiful radiance from the combination.

I think I’ve gone through 3 tubs of Moisure Surge in the last year.  Two of the previous generation of this cult favourite, and now I’m using this new generation one which is definitely an improvement on an already wonderful formula.

Boost! Skin Serum Calm*

I have skin that is pretty damned sensitive and reactive.  It tends to be a bit pink, and the barrier of the skin around my nose and chin gets irritated and sore and tight super easily.

Not only is this calming serum a wonderful soothing step when I’ve used too many acids or used my retinol too many nights in a row, it’s also a fabulous option to use every few days in winter.  It stops the moisture loss in my skin, and this then prevents any irritation and therefore any issues with my skin’s barrier.

This must be the first winter I’ve not had any hydration issues, and have not ended up with tight skin around my nose and chin.  I’ve been vigilant in using lots of hydrating products, and incorporating this serum into my nighttime regime a couple of times a week just as a maintenance.

So, there  you have it!  All the products I’ve been loving this winter, in the dry weather and chilly air.

What have you been using that’s made an improvement to your skin this winter?  What are your must-have products?

*PR sample