The ultimate guide to dry skin relief.
- thepretoriapostsa
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
When temperatures dip, your skin often feels the impact first, becoming tight, dry, and sometimes even itchy or cracked. Cold weather, indoor heating, and lower humidity levels all contribute to moisture loss, making winter the season when your skin needs extra attention and support. We have the ultimate guide to dry skin relief.
Here’s a practical guide to keeping your skin comfortable, hydrated, and protected:
1. Hydrate first, humectants are your friend
It’s not enough to simply moisturise, you need to attract hydration back into the skin. Products containing humectants like glycerine are ideal for this, as they draw moisture from the air into the outer layer of the skin.
“Glycerine is especially useful in colder months,” says Xolani Sibanze, from Clere Glycerine, Gly-Co-Oil and Petroleum Jelly. “It helps keep skin soft and hydrated, and it pairs well with other moisturisers that lock in that moisture.”
For best results, apply glycerine-based products like Clere Glycerine to damp skin straight after bathing or showering.
2. Seal in moisture, use an occlusive layer
Once you’ve hydrated the skin, the next step is to stop that moisture from escaping. This is where occlusives, products that form a barrier on the skin, come in. They’re particularly effective in winter, helping to prevent trans epidermal water loss.
Petroleum jelly is a tried-and-tested occlusive, and applying a thin layer over your moisturiser can go a long way in keeping skin soft and protected. Clere’s Petroleum Jelly range is available in fragrance-free and fragrance variants, suitable for use in cold, dry conditions.
“Occlusives are essential in winter skincare. They don’t add moisture, they help retain it,” explains Sibanze.
3. Target high-stress areas with dual-action products
Areas such as elbows, knees, ankles, and hands tend to suffer most during winter. Using a product that combines hydrating and barrier-protecting ingredients helps restore these dry zones more effectively.
Clere Gly-Co-Oil, which blends glycerine with tissue oil, is designed specifically for very dry or ashy skin. The Gly-Co-Oil with Marula variant adds nourishing marula oil, known for its soothing and antioxidant properties.
4. Simplify your routine, and be consistent
Skincare doesn’t require a shelf full of products, but consistency is key. A few well-formulated products, applied daily, can make all the difference.
A balanced routine might include:
A gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin.
A hydrating layer (glycerine or a water-based lotion).
A moisturiser or oil-based blend to nourish the skin.
An occlusive layer like petroleum jelly to lock it all in.
Make it a habit, particularly after showering, before bed, and before heading outdoors.
5. Hands and feet need love too
Don’t forget the areas that are most exposed to the elements or endure the most friction. Hands can become rough or chapped from frequent washing, while feet often get dry from socks and closed shoes.
Apply a hydrating oil or lotion, followed by petroleum jelly, before bed. For extra effectiveness, wear cotton gloves or socks to help the product absorb overnight.
Dry skin in cooler weather is common, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. By understanding your skin’s needs, and adjusting your routine to include products that hydrate, nourish, and protect, you can keep dryness at bay.
“The key is working with your skin, not against it,” says Sibanze. “Hydration, nourishment, and protection, when you get those three steps right, you’ll notice a real difference in how your skin looks and feels.”
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