Keeping Skin Hydrated this Winter!

There’s little I hate more than dry, flaky skin in the winter months. You know when your skin just craves that hydrated, glowing look and feel, and all you’re stuck with is dull skin that matches the weather? That’s what I’ve been struggling with. In Joburg, where I live, the air can feel very dry, which of course doesn’t help the situation. Unfortunately I think the air in general these days doesn’t do much for our skin, with pollution and all that. It becomes pretty important to put in extra care when doing skincare routines, and that’s exactly what I’ve been up to!

I completely stopped using any products on my face for a couple of months. I wanted to see if it was the ingredients in what I was using that was actually drying out my skin, rather than my natural environment. However, nothing really changed and here I am, hoping and praying that my new skincare routine will take away my winter blues! I now only use a Bioderma cleanser in the mornings and then in the evening I only wash my face with water. I’m going to see how this combination works for me… In conjunction with this, I have recently started using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range. The remedy is in the name and so naturally I was immediately pulled towards it!

Hydroboost City Shield Hydrating Lotion with SPF

Come rain or shine, I apply sunscreen every single day. I’ve always been taught that it’s so important, so it’s really been an automatic part of my routine since I was about 9. Finding good products that already have SPF is such a win. (Though I still apply normal sunscreen before anyway!) I decided to give this Hydroboost lotion a try because it won me over with the hyaluronic acid contained in its formula. I’ve read up about this ingredient for a while and it’s been on my skincare list for a long time! If you’re not sure, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body and it helps with plumping up the skin 😉 Sadly though, over time it decreases and hence why it’s being used in all the fancy lotions and potions. The actual cream product is a beautiful blue/aqua – I’m obsessed with it! And it smells so good. It’s said to also help protect the skin from the not-so-great pollution that can easily cause irritation. I feel really positive about this lotion, so let’s wait and see.

Hydroboost Gel-Cream

So far, I. Love. This. Product. Let me just say that all the creams in this range feel so refreshing and nourishing. Even after only a few uses, I just look forward to applying them because they give such a revitalizing feel immediately. This gel-cream contains “hyaluronic gel matrix”, something I had never heard of. But basically it’s supposed to seal in hydration and then throughout the day, feed it to your skin as needed. Sounds pretty good to me! My skin has been feeling really fragile, particularly on my forehead and around my cheeks. This has been an awesome product to apply as it makes me feel like there’s a barrier of hydration protecting these areas! Though I still have a way to go in testing this out, but so far so good.

Ageless Intensives Anti-Wrinkle Night Moisturiser

Quite a mouthful but worth it if it works! So I know I’m only 22 and really don’t need to invest in wrinkle cream, but this is also good for smoother and softer skin. So there you go. This cream has a combination of retinol and hyaluronic acid, making it double the amount of hydration I guess. The retinol is a big reason as to why I purchased it. I’ve heard great things about this ingredient and how it’s so good for the skin. I needed to see what the hype was about! Again, I’ve read up quite a bit on retinol, and the results are a mixture of evened out skin tones, smaller pores and reduced skin texture. It should be used in the evening because it’s advised to stay out of sunlight once it’s applied. The only downfall is that in the first couple weeks of use, dryness can occur. Because of this, I have been applying the Hydroboost Gel-Cream at night before putting this lotion on. I read that the dryness can be reduced if there is a moisturised surface for the retinol to be applied on. But other than that, you’re good!

Skincare is so important. You don’t need to use a heap load of products to maintain healthy skin – water, fruit, veggies and exercise are also hugely important. Having a beautiful skin also means a beautiful foundation for make-up application! But regardless of all these factors, the most important thing is to feel good and happy in your own. No one’s got perfect skin and we all go through good periods and through bad. You’ve just got to do what you feel comfortable with. Whether that means all the creams, lotions and gels you can find, or only relying on healthy diet and exercise, it’s your skin and you should own it.

So that is my winter skincare routine for now! As I said, I’ve only recently started using these products. I’m really holding thumbs that they plump my skin and give it that glow I would really love! Only time will tell… Have you used any of these products?