THE DERMATOLOGIST’S GUIDE TO winter SKIN
Don’t skimp on sunscreen during colder months - the winter sun is still dangerous.
1 USE A GENTLE CLEANSER
The point of a cleanser is to gently clean your skin, not strip it to the bone with abrasive chemicals. ‘Avoid harsh washes and toners that contain alcohol,’ says Dr Suretha Kannenberg, a Cape Town-based dermatologist who is affiliated with Stellenbosch University. ‘There’s actually no need to use toner at all. Harsh products strip your skin of the lipid layer that helps to maintain moisture.’
When picking out a cleanser, look for formulas that contain moisture-retaining ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides. If you have dry skin, you’ll want to take it easy on alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids as they can cause more harm than good.
