Your Ultimate Bodycare Routine for Autumn-Winter
- BY MAMELLO MOKOENA
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
As the crisp chill of April rolls in and winter starts to peek around the corner, our skin often sends out a silent SOS—tightness, flakiness, ashiness and all-round dullness. And if you're someone who naturally has dry skin, the seasonal shift can make things feel even worse. It’s also incredibly easy to neglect bodycare during these colder months. After all, no one’s really seeing your skin under all those layers and when it’s freezing outside, the last thing you want to do is spend extra time applying lotion when you could be curled up in bed. But here’s the thing: your skin still needs love, even when it’s covered up. Cold air, hot showers and harsh winds can strip away moisture fast, leaving your skin feeling uncomfortable and looking lifeless.
The good news? With a little extra TLC and the right products, you can keep your skin soft, smooth, and hydrated all season long. Ready to upgrade your bodycare game? Let’s get into the perfect autumn/winter bodycvare routine:
1. Start with a Gentle Cleanse
Say goodbye to stripping soaps and hello to body washes that cleanse without robbing your skin of moisture. The trick is to look for creamy, hydrating cleansers with soothing ingredients like glycerin, oat extract or even shea butter.
What To Buy
Fragrance-free and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, this body wash is ideal for very dry skin and conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Suitable from birth, it’s a soap-free formula that cleanses while soothing, making it perfect for those who need a delicate yet effective wash.
This one’s a cult favourite for a reason. Enriched with a triple oat complex, it calms and hydrates while supporting your skin’s natural barrier and microbiome. With 91% of users agreeing that it cleanses without drying out the skin, it’s a winter shower staple, especially if you suffer from itchiness or sensitivity.
Known and loved for its creamy formula, this body wash uses plant-based moisturisers and 24-hour Renewing MicroMoisture to leave your skin soft and smooth. It’s soap-free, sulphate-free and dermatologically tested, so your skin gets clean without being stripped of moisture.
Top Tip: Keep those showers lukewarm. Hot water might feel amazing on a cold day but it can dry your skin out even more. That tiny sacrifice is enough for akin to thank you in the long run.
Advertisement
2. Exfoliate Weekly
Dry, flaky skin doesn’t stand a chance when you exfoliate once or twice a week. Use a gentle body scrub or soft cloth to buff away dead skin and make way for your moisturiser to do its job properly.
What To Buy
This 100% natural origin exfoliant is made with crushed Japonica rice seeds and organic blueberry juice. It effectively smooths the skin surface without irritation, leaving you fresh, soft and ready for hydration. It’s gentle enough to use up to four times a week.
Packed with purifying rosa clay extract, natural strawberry seeds and exfoliating pumice, this scrub draws out impurities while sloughing off dead skin. It’s gentle yet effective, making it a great addition to your weekly bodycare ritual. Just don’t overdo it. Too much exfoliation can make skin even more dry and sensitive.
3. Moisturise Like You Mean It
This is the step that makes all the difference. Apply your body moisturiser straight after your shower, while your skin is still slightly damp so that it can better absorb into the skin. This helps seal in hydration and protect your moisture barrier.
Look for hero ingredients that deeply nourish and protect the skin. Shea butter and cocoa butter are rich emollients known for their intense moisturizing properties, helping to combat dryness and restore suppleness. Glycerin acts as a powerful humectant, drawing moisture into the skin and keeping it hydrated throughout the day. Urea not only hydrates but also gently exfoliates, making it ideal for rough or flaky areas. Finally, ceramides play a crucial role in strengthening the skin’s natural barrier, locking in moisture and defending against environmental stressors.
What To Buy
This is a powerhouse for very dry, itchy skin. With a combo of urea, ceramides and Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs), it not only hydrates deeply but also strengthens the skin’s barrier and keeps it smooth and supple for up to 48 hours.
Loaded with cocoa butter and vitamin E, this rich lotion works wonders for dry skin and even helps with scars and stretch marks. It’s a trusted go-to for its long-lasting moisture and protective benefits, all while being paraben and phthalate-free.
Made with 95% natural origin ingredients and community-sourced shea butter and almond milk, this comforting body butter delivers 96-hour moisture. It’s perfect for sensitive skin and gives you a natural glow that looks as good as it feels.
Advertisement
4. Boost with Body Oil
For those days when your skin needs extra nourishment, body oil is your secret weapon. Layer it under or over your body cream to lock in moisture and leave your skin radiant.
What To Buy
This multitasking oil helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven tone. It’s a lightweight yet effective option for adding an extra layer of hydration and glow to dry, dull skin.
With Q10 and organic argan oil, this body oil hydrates deeply while also improving skin elasticity. Use it daily to firm and smooth the skin while keeping it soft and radiant for up to 48 hours.
5. Never Skip SPF (Even in Winter)
Just because it’s cloudy or cool doesn’t mean you’re safe from sun damage. UV rays are still active in winter, and dry, sensitive skin needs even more protection.
What To Buy
This ultra-light sunscreen offers high UVA/UVB protection and supports the skin’s DNA repair process. Its oil control technology and dry-touch finish make it ideal for layering without leaving a greasy residue.
(Eucerin Sun Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF 50 - Winter bodycare routine)
Reliable protection and hydration in one. This moisturising sunscreen is water-resistant and helps prevent sun allergies while keeping your skin soft and cared for all day.
Advertisement
Extra Tips for Glowing Skin All Winter
Hydrate from the inside out. Drink lots of water.
Use a humidifier to fight dry indoor air.
Wear soft, breathable fabrics like cotton to avoid irritating dry patches.
Don’t skip your body routine. Consistency is the real glow-up.
Dry skin in autumn and winter may be common, but it doesn’t have to be your norm. With the right products and a little intention, your skin can stay hydrated, smooth and radiant, even when the weather outside says otherwise. This season, wrap yourself (and your skin) in nourishing care, and enjoy every cosy, moisturised moment.
