The heat! High temperatures can suck the moisture out of your skin, but these tricks will soften the scaliest spots.

GOING FOR A BRISK RUN, taking a spin on the promenade — there are plenty of things to love about the weather, but what it does to your skin isn’t one of them. Plus, constantly moving from the outdoors to indoors can dry out your skin. Using a humidifier while you sleep and drinking at least eight glasses of water a day can help keep skin hydrated, says Whitney Bowe, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City. But for certain dry spots you may need to consider a little TLC with these strategies.

DRY SPOT: FACE

SOFTEN UP:

Can’t get your natural glow back? Layering products can help. “Use a serum, then a moisturiser on top of it, morning and night”, advises Hernandez. And just like your wardrobe, you should swap out your skin care regimen for the season. Opt for heavier hydrating creams that are multitaskers, such as for boosting collagen, delivering anti-agers, and increasing elasticity.

TRY:

StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer (R1 000, strivectin.com). 

DRY SPOT: HANDS

SOFTEN UP:

We use our hands all day, every day, and that takes a toll. “They’re the most hardworking and overexposed part of our bodies”, says Naomi Gregory, hotel spa Director of Operations at QT Sydney, Australia. Your hands are also the most frequently washed part of your body, which regularly exposes them to potentially harsh chemicals in soap and cleansers. “All these things strip away our natural oils and dehydrate skin”, she adds. Always carry hand cream — look for ingredients like shea butter, petrolatum, lanolin, or lactic acid — and apply every time after you wash your hands to create a barrier.

TRY: Sorbet Balancing Hand & Nail Cream 75ml (R26, Sorbet). 

DRY SPOT: FEET

SOFTEN UP:

Cracked heels are a common side effect. “A rough exfoliator, such as a pumice stone or exfoliating scrub, will help get rid of dead skin”, advises Bowe. “Make sure to apply a heavy, moisturising cream after getting out of the shower.” Lock in hydration by slathering. Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, which boosts new cell production, explains Hernandez.

TRY: Start with L’Occitane Aromachologie Revitalising Body Scrub to exfoliate, then apply the L’Occitane Foot Cream to help hydrate with needed nutrients. (R850, L’Occitane).

DRY SPOT: KNEES & ELBOWS

SOFTEN UP:

“The thick skin on these areas has minimal oil glands, which naturally makes them more prone to dryness, along with the bending and constant friction they endure”, Bowe says. “These areas are in constant contact with the fabric of your clothing, and the rubbing itself can thicken skin.” You have about a five-minute window after showering or bathing to trap in moisture and prevent calluses, she warns, so make sure to moisturize rough areas immediately.

ALMOND MILK & HONEY BODY BUTTE is an enriched balm that penetrates deeply to protect the moisture barrier and boost absorption. (R170, The Body Shop). 

DRY SPOT: LIPS

SOFTEN UP:

“As well as always being exposed, the skin on our lips is incredibly thin and sensitive”, Gregory says. “Sunlight, wind, low humidity, and make-up all wreak havoc with the natural oils in our lips, so it’s really important to keep them moisturised and protected.” That means always keeping a balm handy — and stop licking your lips, which can make them more dry and irritated. A lip scrub once a week prevents a parched pucker. Bowe suggests making your own by mixing equal parts sugar and water.

TRY: MAC Lip Scrubtious this new sugar-based exfoliator gently buffs away dry and flaky skin, with a formula enhanced by hydrating conditioners leaving lips soft and oh-so-smoochable. (R200, MAC)

THERE’S THE SCRUB

“Exfoliating helps slough away dead skin, revealing younger cells that reflect light more evenly, resulting in a glow”, says Bowe. It also helps products penetrate the skin better. Try to exfoliate at least three times a week, followed by a serum or cream. “Start with something that has small granules such as sugar or seeds and work up to stronger or chemical exfoliants, like glycolic, alpha hydroxy acid, or retinol”, Hernandez says.

Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid, which boosts new cell production, explains Hernandez. Opt for a smaller granule for the face and larger granules for the body, such as Mango Exfoliating Sugar Body Scrub (R190, The Body Shop).

Glycolic acid exfoliates and softens fine lines and wrinkles, says Hernandez. She suggests using one once a week, such as L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser. (R100, lorealparisusa.com). 

This scrub is precious for its high mineral content and its coarse crystals, the perfect texture to reveal fresher-looking skin and stimulate circulation when massaged into skin. Mediterranean Sea Salt Scrub (R330, The Body Shop). 

BY CELIA SHATZMAN