Is your skin feeling the drying effects of this final winter chill? Then look no further than my guide for a nourished, spring-ready complexion.

Dolls, we’re on the home stretch. Those warmers rays are showing themselves more prominently in the Aussie afternoon sun. However, are those windy mornings still sucking the moisture from your otherwise supple complexion?  Or the heating in your office zapping what would be luscious primed skin into a dry and flakey landscape of dullness? 

Well then read on! 

We decided to give you a list of must haves that will help you beat the drying effects of winter and all that goes with it. Ensuring your skin is pumped full of yummy nourishing goodies and looking like you’ve just stepped out of skin plumping session with your favourite facialist!

The last month of winter isn’t the time to let your skin care regime slide – or forget to nourish the skin on your body. The right cool-weather routine helps the skin heal and stay supple – which will slow down the effects of ageing and collagen decline. 

I’ve harped on about the damaging effects of winter on the skin before – and it’s heating that is the worst culprit for removing the humidity from a room. Your skin loses its moisture and starts literally shrivelling, which results in a loss of elasticity as well. The constant loss and lack of replacement of water from the skin tissues result in dry and chapped skin that is prone to developing those pesky creases and wrinkles.

Cold wind can also do us little favours – think about that early morning run, when the temperature is close-to-freezing and the wind is whipping around your face. This plays havoc on sensitive complexions, with the wind quickly drying out the complexion and making those who already have sensitivities more prone to having breakouts or what’s called ‘freeze-dried skin’. This loss of moisture quickly drops the skins ability to absorb new moisture, and the problem persists rapidly.

So what do you do when faced with the varying changes in weather and situations on your already sensitive or issue-prone skin? Slather on one of these beauties and watch your skin come back to life.

Radical Skincare  – Express Delivery Enzyme Body Peel

This is a post-sun or post-tanner winter skin treatment applied to your body like you would a peel to your face, shedding away dead dull skin cells. Voila – even skin tone and reveal a whole new layer of glow! Perfect to use if you have just gotten back from that European holiday and your skin is having a climate change freak out. Enriched with antioxidants for free radical protection, aloe vera and cucumber to soothe and hyaluronic acid to keep skin moisturised. Boom.

REN Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum

This is THE body serum of my life. We apply so many different serums, lotions and treatments – yet forget our bodies. And I’d hate to break it to you, but that skin still needs the same TLC! REN Body Serum is a moisturising serum with AHAs that gently exfoliates skin with natural lactic acids, strengthening skin barrier with probiotic extracts and plump the skin with the same love we give the skin on our faces!

PS – I have been using both of the above products for the last 3 weeks and I’m obsessed. Skin is so smooth, clear, firm and hydrated. Just what you need in defence of your office’s AC heating, or just a general burst of lushness!

Kiehl’s Creme De Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Butter

Pssst, I’ve been layering this super lightweight intense whip over the top of my AHA body serum to really nourish and protect skin. I’m kind of in the mindset that winter is a time I want to make sure I’m helping my skin recover as much as possible from the summer sun and protect it from the dryness of the cold and heating I’m coming in and out of. Kiehl’s Soy & Honey for me feels lighter on the skin and easier to massage in than there traditional crème, which I enjoy. Honey is also a natural antibiotic for the skin which I love as I have been having my body laser removing sunspots so it needs all the help it can get.

Bastide Orange Blossom Bath Oil

Soaking in this super lush oil is truly like bathing in gold. The water becomes milky and extremely soothing and softening for the skin. The natural formula contains sweet almond extract, rich in anti-oxidants and vitamin E, and Provence honey lavender, a naturally soothing skin hydrator. Your skin will thank you for nourishing every delicate cell with this bath oil – just apply a spoonful or more (depending on how dry your skin is) to a bath and let your skin recover and nourish in its deeply healing properties. 

HERBIVORE BOTANICALS Pink Clay – Exfoliating Mask

I’m obsessed with this scrub! I have been using it with the Santé By Enjoy Mitt.  French pink clay kickstarts cell renewal and improves skin’s elasticity. Rosehip, from the fruit of the wild rose plant, is naturally rich in essential fatty acids to repair damaged tissue and prevent premature ageing, while chamomile flowers are naturally anti-inflammatory for a soothing, de-puffing experience. It’s my kind of pampering cocktail.

L’OCCITANE ALMOND SHOWER OIL

This shower oil transforms, when in contact with water, into a delicate foam that gently cleanses the body. Enriched with almond oil, it respects the skin’s hydrolipidic film and leaves a subtle and mouth-watering scent of fresh almond. This body oil wash is literally the only thing I was myself with during winter. It soothes skin, has no sulphates, hydrates, softens and cleanses. Use in a shower or as a bath oil and you’re LIVING!

CREDITS

Words: Alina B / Product Review-Hair & Makeup: Max May / Photographer: Josie Clough / Model: Montana Cox