Top Picks for Hydrating Winter Skin

We are well and truly into the midst of Winter now, especially for those who live in the southern states of the country.

This means we're exposed to heating when indoors, and to harsh winds and dry air when we go outdoors. All this is taking a toll on skin with the constant and abrupt changes in hot/cold temperatures.

But fear not, with the right products, we can cocoon ourselves top-to-toe from the effects of this harsh winter. In no particular order, here are my top picks this year:

1. Clarins Hydraquench Cream - 50ml RRP $A65
If you have very dry skin or suffer from dry patches, a hydrating moisturiser is a must during cold winter months. I love this moisturiser as it's light and requires very little effort to have it absorbed into skin. The almost gel-like creamy texture, light floral scent and non-greasiness provides instant hydration that lasts throughout the day. Great for wind or sun over-exposure, I recently used this after having my Palomar facial laser treatment and it helped to keep the peeling effects to a minimum which meant my skin recovered much quicker from the procedure.

Available at Clarins counters and AdoreBeauty online.

2. Uriage Cleansing and Nourishing Cream - 500ml RRP A$39.95
A must for those with sensitised dry skin, this non-foaming cream is more a lotion in consistency and is so gentle and non-irritating, it didn't even sting when I used it over broken skin. It does a wonderful job of cleansing and removeing oil, dirt and grimy residue without stripping moisture, leaving skin soft and smooth afterwards without any tight feeling. Made of 1/3 nourishing milk, I reserve this cleanser for my face due to its price (which then makes it amazing value) but if you need a bit of pampering, by all means go for the occasional body wash indulgence.

Uriage products are currently available at selected Terry White Chemists and Adorebeauty Online

3. Nivea Irresistibly smooth body soufflé - 300ml RRP A$9.92
If your skin on your body is looking parched then put the moisture back in with this beautiful soufflé cream from Nivea. Fragranced with the signature Nivea scent, this product is quickly absorbed into skin, leaving it velvety smooth without any greasy residues. The intensive and nourishing formula containing shea butter gives all day hydration and conditions skin, making this a favourite of mine for arms, elbows, legs and feet.

Nivea is available at major supermarkets, Priceline, pharmacies, Target, Kmart and Big-W stores.

4. Endota Nourishing Oil - 30ml RRP A$75
This dry oil has captivated my senses with its exotic scent of frankincense, warm myrrh and mossy patchoulil. The golden blend of plant oil and vitamins nourishes skin, restore its elasticity and instantly softens and rehydrates, making it perfect for dry to very dry skin types. This is honestly the only dry oil I make an exception to for use on my face (I only do this in winter months as I have oily/combination skin).

Endota products are available at Endota Spas and online. For stocklist, check here.

5. Kosmea Skin Clinic Rescue Body Cream - 125ml RRP A$29.95
Intense and luxe in feel, Kosmea's body cream is my top pick for decadent body moisturisation. Made with natural and organic ingredients with healing properties like rosehip and grape seed oil as well as shea butter, it helps to sooth dry chapped skin, relieve minor itches (perfect for my hives) and is a god-send for cracked heels. The fact that it doesn’t irritate broken skin is a bonus and can also be used on minor burn areas.

Kosmea is available at Priceline, selected pharmacies, health food stores and David Jones.

6. Bio Oil - 60ml RRP A$14.95
Bio Oil is an affordable dry oil to bring back skin vitality and helps to improve skin’s moisture barrier. It also helps that there is no greasy residue after the oil is absorbed into skin. With a blend of vitamins and natural plant oils, it has uses in softening of fresh scars and the prevention stretchmarks during pregnancy as well as for its treatment (which I have to sadly say, didn’t work for me) but my limbs just love it for maintaining suppleness.

Bio Oil is avaliable at Priceline, major supermarkets, Kmart, Big W and Target.

I hope this list provides some pickings for you to try if you are feeling the dryness of the winter season. I'd also love to hear how else you're keeping hydrated this winter. Until next time, stay warm!

x A

Products featured were provided for editorial consideration.

Tips on Busting Blackheads

Most of us to would have some form of blackheads on our face in varying degree of affliction (and those who don't - I am mighty jealous and want your skin!).

Unfortunately for me, I have plenty of these pesky black dots on my nose and a few on my chin and no matter what I do, I just can't get to rid of them permanently.

So whether it be through squeezing them with my fingers or using pore strips to remove them, I love extracting them out - gross I know, but nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing them out of my skin.

While I do the regular squeezing of my nose to get rid of all the gunk, there is a greater risk of injuring skin when squeezing out blackheads so always I only do it after skin is softened (after a shower or a facial mask is a great time to do the dirty work).

With pore strips, if the skin is not prepped properly, the strip doesn't effectively picked up the clog pores and remove enough blackheads. I've recently discovered a method of using pore strip that is as good as manual squeezing without the risk of injuring skin.

The Safer Way of Removing Blackheads

1. Wash face thoroughly with water and your preferred cleanser. I use a glycolic cleanser like Invisible Zinc cleanser with 12% glycolic acid 200ml - RRP $35 (which can also be used as a treatment mask when left on skin for 5 minutes).

2. Apply a glycolic based mask (you can use the IZ product above for this step on the problem areas only). This is the key as gylocic acid breaks down the top layer 'glue' on skin that holds the dead skin cells on skin. I like the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Smoothing + perfecting mask 100 ml - RRP $63 and Endota's glycolic polishing mask 100ml - RRP $70

3. Wet nose area and apply Biore Cleansing pore strip 6 pk* - RRP A$5.69 as per normal.

4. Wait until the pore strip hardens to a plaster feel on your nose and then peel off skin. Hey presto - you should see a tonne more blackheads release and peeled off with the strip than normally would.


I use this gycolic acid treatment/pore cleansing strip combination method once a week to de-speckle my nose.

So there you have it -  maximise your blackhead busting powers with the use of glycolic-acid based products by un-clogging skin and prepping it for blackhead removal.

What are your tips to combatting blackheads?

* product was provided for consideration.

Be Sun-smart: Top to Toe Protection

You’ve most likely heard it many times before, but it honestly can’t be said enough that the sun is your skin’s #1 public enemy and the surest way to cause pre-mature aging and increase the risk of getting skin cancer.

So I was shocked to find out that today from the experts that the message is still not getting across to the people out there and not everyone is using sunscreen on a daily basis. Many are only using sunscreen when they head out to the beach but not when they are out and about. Incidental sun causes more damage as people don't remember to apply sunscreen and that most of our sun damage is caused in the first 18 years of our lives but  that damage won’t come to surface until many years later.

UVA rays, even on a cloudy day will cause damage to skin cells, causing those fine lines and deep wrinkles. And if you want to tan, do so safely with sunscreen - it may take longer but it is safer!

Don’t wait till you have to repair the damage, prevention is key. Here are some great sun-protecting products for you to use everyday when you are out, rain clould or shine - that will go a long way in helping you stay protected from those nasty rays

Facial sunscreens

1. Endota  SPF 15 Day Moisturiser SPF 15 – 50ml
Launched as a take-home after care product with the new Endota Glycolic in-spa treatments, this physical blocking moisturiser sunscreen doesn’t deteriorate like chemical ones do over time so I’m overlooking the fact that it’s only SPF15. It’s quite thick but the paste-like formula rubs well into skin to give a surprising matte finish without any hint of shine and would suit normal to oily skin types . With moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera juice, jojoba oil, green tea extract, vitamin C to hydrate and protect the skin, you get 2 benefits in 1.

I’ve now made this my daily facial sunscreen as I love how it also primes my face and help makeup sit better on the surface of skin. Best of all there is no white cast usually associated with physical sunscreens to be seen.

RRP A$65 at Endota spas and Endota online.

2. Moisturising Daily Defense SPF 30+ - 100ml
On days when I’m giving my skin a break from the intensive layering of serums and treatment products, I only this product and I’m set to go. This light lotion absorbs into skin with ease and little rubbing, non greasy it also leaves a semi matte finish that also works well as a primer for makeupl.

I’ve found that this broad-spectrum moisturiser sunscreen too rich to use with my vitamin C oil serum and it caused a few breakouts around my nasal labial folds when I do the layering of multiple treatments products.

On its own, it’s beautiful and hydrating enough and if only I don’t have so many other skin issues like pigmentation, large pores and uneven skintone, I’d gladly give up the layering to use only this product and this would make one great product dryer skin types. Thankfully it’s also packed full of great ingredients - hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) to promote elasticity and soothe skin so that I don’t feel guilty when I go without treatment products with its use.

RRP A$49 at selected salons or online from the Facial Company (where it's $9.80 cheaper too)


Body Sunscreens

I’m a lazy person by nature and spray and aerosol type sunscreens will forever be a part of my life.

3. Le Tan Coconut spray SPF 30+ - 250ml
The heavenly coconut scent is the reason why I love this product. Normally I’m not a coconut fan as it can be overwhelming and synthetic but this one is just right and very natural. A milky lotion in a spray, I spritz straight into my hand it rub onto my legs and arms but spray directly onto the body for hard to reach places like back of legs and necks for 4 hours of protection. Not too sticky and leaves skin with a soft sheen, it makes me feel like I’m taking an island holiday every time I put this to use.

RRP A$16.99 at supermarkets, Kmart, Big W, Priceline and selected pharmacies

Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 30+ - 140g
This aerosol sunscreen spritz gives a fine mist all over skin without having to rubbed in – pefect for bikini skin with the upcoming summer. The spray has a light fresh scent and leaves skin feeling dry to touch once the alcohol (enthanol) evaporates, but if you prefer your products to not contain alcohol, you are better off with non-aerosol types. Neutrogena Ultimate sport is made to be sweat and transfer resistant and last up to 4 hours and contains helioplex to stablise and slow down the deterioration of the sunscreen formula.

RRP A$17.99 RRP A$16.99 at supermarkets, Kmart, Big W, Priceline and selected pharmacies

Remember, sunscreen is only 1 of the mantra of slip slop slap. I highly recommend a wide brimmed hat and light long sleever shirt when you’re outdoors for long hours for keeping your skin looking its best for the longest possible time and prevent skin cancer.

I wished someone spent the time to tell me all this when I was a teen as I  never used sunscreen on a daily basis until my mid 20s. I just hope I can undo the damage I've caused all those years before.

What is your biggest skincare regret?


Product featured have been provided for consideration.