It’s that time of year when that golden tan you’ve worked on all summer starts to fade, gowns and onesies become a necessity and shaving is put on hold as we prepare for hibernation – true Cape Town style! With that being said, we tend to forget how damaging this dry winter weather is for our skin and sometimes find ourselves neglecting the most important part of our body. Especially now that winter is on our doorstep and the red wine will be flowing… we need all the hydration and moisture we can get!

Nicole’s experience:

There’s nothing like a little winter getaway adventure to get you enthusiastic and pumped up for the start of our own slightly less exciting Cape Town ‘winter’! So when the Clarins team asked us to try out a few of their products, specifically for hydrating, replenishing and promoting radiant skin we thought it only fair to put these products through its paces and bring them along on a ski trip to the Alps! From a 30-hour plane journey to -15 degree temperatures, paired with the most sensitive skin in the world – these products were under a lot of pressure.

There is no doubt that travelling in general puts a lot of strain on your skin and especially when it’s super sensitive like mine and affected by the slightest change in temperature, altitude or embarrassing moment, you need all the help you can get!

The following products were on review:

• Moisture Rich Body Lotion
• Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm 
• HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase 
• BB Skin Perfecting Cream 
• UV Plus Anti-Pollution Day Screen SPF 50

My skin really suffers when I travel, from breakouts and dryness to redness and inflammation – nothing seems to soothe or hydrate. I started using the products as soon as I got onto the plane and was waiting for my skin to flare-up and breakout (the usual story after a flight), but to my relief, I didn’t experience all the usual symptoms and there was not one spot in site. Hooray!

The UV Plus sunscreen was a hit and was small enough to keep in my ski jacket, which meant that I became the sunscreen supplier for the trip. We hardly had to reapply; just one application in the morning carried us through until the afternoon. Its oil-free, lightweight consistency is much thinner than other sun care lotions, making it the perfect sunscreen to wear under your moisturiser or make-up (you still have to look good on the slopes you know!). The HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase, which is known as the water injection for the face, was vital in that dry icy air. It’s an intensive, moisture-replenishing serum that helps restore the skin’s natural hydration capabilities and has a matte finish so you won’t look like you’ve just coated your face in olive oil.

Moisture Rich Body Lotion Helps smooth dry, rough patches and improves skin tone. Infused with Peach Milk, Shea, Candlenut Oil and Orange Blossom, this lotion not only smells heavenly, but also visibly minimises the signs of aging caused by sun, cold, heating and air-conditioning. I found the BB cream a little dry, but I just added my moisturiser to it and applied it to my red cheeks and nose (it was just a little chilly at the top of Mont Blanc). Moisture replenishing lip balm helps to repair dry chapped lips, hydrating them and above all keeping them lusciously smoochable on the slopes.

If you’d like to WIN this WINTER WELLNESS SKIN CARE HAMPER, valued at over R2000, simply share this post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and comment below on how your skin would benefit from these products during these chilly midwinter months.

WITC T&C’s

• The competition closes on 10 June 2016 at 12:00pm
• The prize will be awarded through a random selection by WITC
• The value of the prize is R2085
• This prize is not transferable for cash, negotiable or exchangeable
• The prize will be delivered to you by Clarins, unless arranged otherwise by WITC and the prize winner
• WITC is only the promoter of this competition and will not be held liable for any damages or claims concerning the prize
• Entrants need to be based in the Western Cape
• By entering you will automatically be added to the WITC database for emailers, to unsubscribe email info@wellnessinthecity.co.za

Photo credit: Wellness in the City | View the Vibe