We spoke to three local influencers about the ways they can change things up in their skincare routine to deal with winter
Winter brings harsher conditions and a whole new set of challenges for your skin. As the temperature shifts, so should your skincare routine – especially for melanin-rich skin, which requires extra hydration and barrier support in the cold months. We asked a few bare-faced local beauties for tips.
Dry is out, balanced is in
Zithobe Macheli, affectionately known as ‘The Skin Girl, developed a passion for skincare after struggling with acne at a young age.
“I remember spending so much time trying to figure out how to heal my skin- trying different products, consulting dermatologists and doing extensive research by reading medical journals on skin and skincare,” she says.
Since then, Zithobe has grown into a trusted voice within the beauty and skincare space, not only as a content creator but as an industry contributor.
She won the Woman&Home Best Beauty Influencer Award in 2022 and returned as a judge for the 2025 awards, reflecting her continued influence and credibility within the industry. She is also currently part of the CON (Creme of Nature) Squad and has collaborated with top-tier brands such as Garnier, Eucerin, L’Oréal, Nivea and Dermalogica.
When it comes to her skincare philosophy, she emphasises balance and restoration. “It’s essential to me that a product restores what my skin naturally contains – lipids like ceramides or squalene, and ingredients such as collagen and hyaluronic acid.”
See below for her top skincare tips.
The New Consumers
Shannon Dougall, founder of local brand SKINfunctional, notes that younger consumers, Gen Z and Millennials, have grown up with unprecedented access to information.
Beauty product ingredient lists are scrutinised on TikTok, routines are debated in online communities, and dermatologists are easily accessible on social media. This generation is informed, discerning and less influenced by traditional advertising and more by influencers who show proven results.
SA’s beauty market grew 7% year-on-year to reach R65 billion in 2024, significantly outpacing GDP growth of just 0.6% over the same period.
Nick Hunt, general manager at RTSC (Retail Therapy Strategic Consulting) says, “What the data confirms is what we are seeing on the ground every day. This category is growing because consumers are demanding more from it, not because of clever marketing but because the products deliver visible results.”
Asiphe Nompozolo (@missmpozie), another popular beauty and lifestyle content creator, shares: “The best skincare advice that has always worked for me is simple: never skip sunscreen. Even in winter, applying sunscreen consistently and following correct usage instructions is essential for protecting and maintaining healthy skin.”
As someone who struggles with dry skin, she says that in the colder months, hydration is the foundation of her routine.
Rather than layering multiple products, Asiphe suggests a simple three-step routine. Cleanse with a hydrating face wash, apply a hydrating serum and follow with sunscreen and a hydrating, sealing moisturiser. “This approach maintains moisture levels without overwhelming the skin, which is especially important during the colder, drier months.”
In her daily skincare routine, Asiphe focuses on using hydrating products from the very first step. “I apply my products while my skin is still slightly damp from cleansing. This helps lock in the moisture more effectively.
And in winter, I switch to richer, more nourishing formulas that support my skin barrier and prevent dryness”
See opposite for some of her favourite winter products.
The Anti-Ageing Angle
The narrative is evolving. Today’s consumer is no longer focused on reversing time, but on optimising skin health, resilience and regeneration. Environmental stressors compound the issue. In South Africa, high UV exposure – even in winter – remains one of the leading contributors to premature ageing. Add pollution, stress and lifestyle factors, and the skin’s natural capacity to regenerate is compromised earlier than expected.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and it deserves the same care you give to your overall health. From your mid-20s, collagen production declines by about 1% per year. By the time women reach their 40s and 50s, cumulative collagen loss contributes to thinning skin, reduced elasticity, fine lines and slower wound repair.
“Consumers are becoming more informed about the biology of ageing,” says Shannon. “They understand that hydration alone will not restore firmness or elasticity. They are looking for ingredients that stimulate cellular renewal and support structural integrity, which is where growth factors and regenerative molecules enter the conversation.”
@ingletondermatology
Omila Goboka
Joburg-based fashion and beauty influencer @omilagqoboka believes that healthy skin plays a key role in feeling good every day.
She shares her winter routine:
- Hydration and vitamin C are essential contributors to radiant skin. Vitamin C is non-negotiable for achieving brighter, healthier-looking skin. My winter staples include Lelive All Glow’d Up Brighten + Clarify Serum (R319), with vitamin C and turmeric, and a hydrating mist.
- With winter requiring extra care, I incorporate a rich moisturiser while continuing daily sunscreen use. This is essential, even during winter.
- As a mother, I also rely on Epi-max Cream for my children, a product I myself use as a body lotion throughout the year.
@honour.health
Zithobe Macheli
With a passion for skincare ingredient education, she shares her insights on @zithobemacheli to help others achieve healthy, glowing skin. Her top three tips are:
- Prioritise hydration
Often overlooked, hydration is one of the simplest ways to maintain a healthy skin barrier and achieve ‘glass’ skin.
- Keep it simple
Embrace a minimalist routine, focusing only on what your skin truly needs; everything else will follow.
- Exfoliate gently
Over-exfoliation has become common, especially on social media, but it can damage the skin barrier. Since the skin naturally exfoliates through desquamation, exfoliating just once or twice a week is more than enough.
Asiphe Nompozolo
The winter essentials that keep her skin balanced, nourished and glowing:
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Supercharged Serum to lock in hydration. R289.90
- Nip+Fab Illuminate Vitamin C Concentrate Extreme to protect and brighten. R579
- Nivea Sun UV Face Shine Control SPF50 to protect from SA’s harsh sun. R219
- Nivea Intensive Moisturising Body Cream to care for the rest of your skin too. R99.99
Words: Iviwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi
Photos: Getty/Gallo images, Shutterstock, supplied. Prices correct at time of print and may change.
Text Courtesy of Club magazine
