My ultimate guide to the unsexy pharmacy products guaranteed to combat the dreaded ‘winter uglies’: POLISHED with Elise Wilson
Welcome to Polished with Elise Wilson, where Daily Mail’s qualified makeup artist and hair stylist answers your questions, shares advice, and trials the up-and-coming beauty and skincare trends so you don’t have to.
Every winter, my skincare routine seems to go into overdrive.
The drop in temperature brings with it the usual suspects of tight skin, dry hands and patches of irritation that somehow appear overnight.
And while it’s tempting to throw another expensive serum at the problem, I’ve learnt that’s rarely the answer.
In fact, some of the best winter skincare advice I’ve ever received came while I was on a recent work trip to South Korea.
I met dermal therapist Razia Moe, who not only possessed some of the most luminous, glass-like skin I’d ever seen in person, but also turned out to be a wealth of skincare knowledge. Naturally, I asked her exactly what products she swears by.
Thankfully, Razia doesn’t believe in gatekeeping. Better still, our shared love of skincare was matched only by our obsession with affordable pharmacy buys.
Instead of recommending luxury creams with eye-watering price tags, she rattled off a list of hardworking products she’d happily recommend to anyone whose skin struggles through winter.
The drop in temperature often brings tight skin, dry hands and irritation seemingly overnight. To find the best winter skincare solutions, beauty expert Elise Wilson (pictured) turned to Sydney dermal therapist Razia Moe for her tried-and-tested pharmacy favourites
The best part is most of these can be picked up at your local pharmacy.
Forget lip scrubs
One of Razia’s first recommendations completely changed the way I treat my dry lips.
She explained that our lips lack oil glands, meaning they lose hydration much faster than the rest of the face, especially during winter.
While many people instinctively reach for gritty lip scrubs to banish the flakiness, Razia said those harsh exfoliants often do more harm than good.
Instead, she recommended The Ordinary PHA Exfoliating Lip Serum ($14.60), which uses polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) to gently dissolve dead skin rather than physically scrubbing it away.
‘PHAs have a larger molecular weight, making them very gentle, even for sensitive skin.’
Combined with hydrating ingredients including glycerin and ectoin, she recommends applying it at night before sealing everything in with a lip balm.
While many people instinctively reach for gritty lip scrubs to banish the flakiness, Razia said those harsh exfoliants often do more harm than good. Instead, she recommends The Ordinary PHA Exfoliating Lip Serum ($14.60), which uses polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) to gently dissolve dead skin rather than physically scrubbing it away
The nail saver
Dry cuticles might not sound exciting, but they’re often one of winter’s biggest giveaways.
Left untreated, they can crack, peel and become surprisingly painful, but Razia’s fix is the Sally Hansen Cuticle Oil Pen ($22.95).
The twist-up applicator makes it easy to keep in your handbag, while vitamin E, apricot oil and aloe continuously soften the surrounding skin throughout the day.
It’s one of those tiny habits that makes your hands instantly look healthier, and it also fits in your handbag.
Left untreated, dry cuticles can crack, peel and become surprisingly painful, but Razia’s fix is the Sally Hansen Cuticle Oil Pen ($22.95)
A hand cream must-have
Speaking of hands – some beauty products disappear after a season, while others survive for decades because they simply work.
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($9.99) definitely falls into the second category.
‘Many hand creams either don’t work well enough or they’re simply too greasy for regular use.’
She recommends this cult favourite because it’s packed with glycerin – one of skincare’s best humectants – meaning even a tiny amount softens dry skin without leaving greasy fingerprints all over your phone and keyboard.
Razia recommends this cult Nuetrogena favourite because it’s packed with glycerin – one of skincare’s best humectants – meaning even a tiny amount softens dry skin without leaving greasy fingerprints
You’re cleansing your skin wrong
According to Razia, one of winter’s biggest skincare mistakes actually happens before you apply any moisturiser.
‘If you’re using the same cleanser all year-round, you’re probably not realising it’s actually causing your dry skin,’ she said.
‘If your face feels tight or uncomfortable after washing it, that’s your barrier signalling distress.’
Her recommendation is to swap foaming cleansers for something creamier, like Bubble Soft Launch Cream Cleanser ($20).
Formulated with ceramides, allantoin and avocado oil, it removes makeup and sunscreen without stripping away the skin’s natural moisture.
‘If your face feels tight or uncomfortable after washing it, that’s your barrier signalling distress.’ Her recommendation is to swap foaming cleansers for something creamier, like Bubble Soft Launch Cream Cleanser ($20)
The shower swap that will change your skin
If your entire body becomes itchy every winter, Razia suggests it’s most likely your body wash could be making matters worse.
‘Hot showers strip the skin’s natural lipid barrier more aggressively than lukewarm water, and many body washes only make this worse,’ she explained.
Instead, she recommends switching to Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil ($16).
Despite its name, it doesn’t leave an oily residue. It foams like a traditional body wash while depositing moisturising ingredients onto the skin as you cleanse, meaning your skin starts feeling hydrated before you’ve even reached for body lotion.
If your entire body becomes itchy every winter, Razia suggests it’s most likely your body wash could be making matters worse. Instead, she recommends switching to Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil ($16). It foams like a traditional body wash while depositing moisturising ingredients onto the skin as you cleanse
Your skin’s winter security blanket
Certain parts of the face seem to bear the brunt of winter more than others, and for me, it’s always around my nose as well as eczema on my legs.
That’s where Razia reaches for Yours Only Balm ($32).
She described the fragrance-free formula as creating ‘a protective occlusive film over these vulnerable areas’, helping prevent further moisture loss while allowing damaged skin to recover overnight.
Applied at night, it can be used on all areas of the body, especially the heels of your feet to really lock in moisture.
This fragrance-free formula from Yours Only Balm ($32) gives a protective occlusive film over dry areas like eczema and cracked heels helping prevent further moisture loss while allowing damaged skin to recover overnight
The two products I’ve become completely obsessed with
Since returning home, I’ve added two more affordable products to my own winter routine that have genuinely impressed me.
The first is the Wrinkle Schminkles Under Eye Patches ($44).
I’ll admit I was sceptical, but after wearing these reusable silicone pads overnight, I noticed my under-eye area looked noticeably smoother and far less puffy by morning.
Made from 100 per cent medical-grade silicone, they’re designed to lock hydration into the skin while helping reduce fine lines caused by ageing and side sleeping.
Made from 100 per cent medical-grade silicone, Wrinkle Schminkles Under Eye Patches ($44) are designed to lock hydration into the skin while helping reduce fine lines caused by ageing and side sleeping
The biggest surprise of them all is Bepanthen’s Nappy Rash Ointment ($8.49). Applied as a last step in your nightly routine, over the top of your normal products, you will wake up with a glassy-glow that is unrivalled
The second is far less glamorous, but perhaps the biggest surprise of them all – Bepanthen’s Nappy Rash Ointment ($8.49).
I’ve written before about this cheap pharmacy staple that’s quietly become something of a beauty insider secret, thanks to its ability to deeply nourish dry, compromised skin overnight.
Whenever my skin barrier feels like it’s crying out for help, I finish my nighttime routine by smoothing a thin layer over my entire face to lock in all the products underneath.
By morning, my skin feels so amazing and the glassy, plump glow is currently unbeatable by any other trick.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect those of any brands or companies mentioned. This content is not sponsored or endorsed.
