Have you noticed your hair feeling drier, rougher, or more prone to breakage as the weather gets colder? Winter has a way of removing moisture from your strands, leaving even the healthiest hair looking dull. The good news is that the right products can help restore hydration, improve texture, and keep your hair looking its best. From nourishing leave-in conditioners to lightweight oils, here are the hair care products worth adding to your routine this season.

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Photo: Allure store

This hair product contains Jamaican black castor oil, shea butter, and peppermint oil. This product makes it difficult for your hair to snap during brushing. If you have coily hair, this is an effective solution during winter. It is available from selected beauty retailers for around R280, depending on size and location. 

Moroccanoil Treatment

Photo: Allure Store

Moroccanoil Treatment contains nutrients that help nourish the hair. The oil protects hair from dryness caused by cold weather. It reduces split ends and makes your hair look better. A bottle lasts for several months. A bottle costs around R900 per bottle. 

Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Cream

Photo: Allure Store

Cantu’s Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream  contains shea butter with natural oils. This cream provides deep moisture for your hair. It stops hair breakage and prevents frizz. Cantu is a better alternative to silicone and drying alcohols. Available at Amazon stores for R134. 

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OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner

Photo: Amazon

A moisturising hair product like this is recommended because some shampoos can remove natural oils from the scalp. The OGX Argan Oil of Morocco replaces lost moisture.

It leaves your hair easier to style. It helps reduce frizz and protect the hair from becoming dry after washing. Using both the shampoo and conditioner together gives the best results. You can get them for around R230 at most beauty stores.

Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Recipes Don’t Shrink Curling Gel

Photo: Allure Store

This flaxseed gel locks hair moisture due to its richness in omega 3 fatty acids. It does not leave hair feeling flaky. This product keeps hair hydrated throughout the day. It does not have sulphate or parabens which could damage your hair. It costs about R200 in many stores. 

Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Photo: Allure Store

With Mielle’s Rosemary Mint Oil, your hair is properly taken care of during winter. Massaging a few drops into the scalp reduced itching common during winter. It can be applied to the ends of the hair to reduce dryness and improve softness. It cost around R300. 

To prevent hair dryness, choose the right hair care products. Don’t consider the price alone, check for the product that suits your hair. Proper use guarantees a healthy hair all season.

Vitamin C is one of the most researched ingredients in skincare. It helps fade post-acne marks, brightens dull skin, supports collagen production and protects against damage caused by pollution and UV exposure. With regular use, it can improve skin tone and texture while giving the complexion a brighter appearance.

Not every vitamin C serum performs the same way. The ingredient is naturally unstable, and some formulas lose their effectiveness before the bottle is finished. Dermatologists recommend choosing products with stable forms of vitamin C, protective packaging and antioxidants such as vitamin E or ferulic acid to help maintain potency.

Here are four vitamin C serums that are consistently recommended by dermatologists and beauty editors.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

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SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is consistently recommended by dermatologists and beauty editors. It contains 15% pure L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E and ferulic acid, a combination supported by extensive research.

The formula helps improve uneven skin tone, fine lines and loss of firmness while providing antioxidant protection throughout the day. Although it is a premium-priced product, it is widely regarded as one of the leading vitamin C serums available. It is suitable for most skin types, especially those looking to address early signs of ageing and persistent pigmentation.

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum

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La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum is formulated for sensitive or reactive skin. It combines 10% pure vitamin C with ingredients that help improve skin texture without causing unnecessary irritation.

The lightweight serum absorbs quickly and works well under moisturiser and sunscreen. Regular use can smooth rough patches, brighten dull skin and gradually reduce the appearance of dark spots. It is also a suitable choice for anyone introducing vitamin C into their skincare routine.

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

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Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster contains 15% vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid in a lightweight formula. It also includes ingredients that help keep the skin hydrated.

The serum layers well with other skincare products and is often used to address post-acne marks, uneven skin tone and dullness. It absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky finish, making it suitable for combination and oily skin.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

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CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is a budget-friendly option. It contains 10% pure vitamin C together with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help support the skin barrier while providing hydration.

The fragrance-free formula is suitable for many skin types, including dry and sensitive skin. Alongside its brightening benefits, it helps maintain moisture levels, making it suitable for daily use, particularly for people who experience dryness when using active skincare ingredients.

Apply a vitamin C serum in the morning after cleansing and before moisturiser, then finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Vitamin C works well with SPF by helping protect the skin against environmental damage while supporting a brighter, more even-looking complexion. Daily use is more important than choosing the highest vitamin C concentration, and visible improvements usually come with consistent application over time.

Most people give their underarms attention for less than a minute each day. A quick swipe of deodorant, and that’s the end of the routine. But dermatologists increasingly recommend treating your underarms as part of your skincare routine. Interest in underarm skincare has grown, with more consumers looking beyond deodorants to address irritation, uneven skin tone and razor bumps.

The skin under your arms is thinner than many other parts of your body. Constant friction from clothing, repeated shaving or waxing, sweat and ingredients found in personal care products can leave the area feeling dry, itchy or darker than nearby skin. Simply masking body odour does little to deal with these everyday concerns.

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A better approach starts in the shower. Washing your underarms with a gentle cleanser removes sweat, bacteria and product build-up that ordinary rinsing may leave behind. This matters because fresh sweat has very little smell. The familiar body odour develops when bacteria on the skin break down sweat. Clean skin gives deodorant or antiperspirant a better chance of doing its job.

Exfoliation is another step many people overlook. Dead skin cells, trapped deodorant residue and clogged pores can leave the skin rough and uneven. A mild chemical exfoliant used once or twice a week can help smooth the area without the harsh scrubbing that often causes more irritation. Overdoing it, however, may irritate the skin and make sensitivity worse.

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Shaving habits also deserve attention. Using a blunt razor or shaving dry skin creates tiny cuts that may lead to irritation and ingrown hairs. A clean, sharp razor, combined with a shaving cream or gel, reduces friction and helps reduce irritation while shaving. If your underarms feel irritated afterwards, allowing the skin to recover before applying heavily fragranced products can help minimise discomfort.

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Hydration is just as important here as it is on your face or legs. While underarms do not usually need daily moisturising, applying a fragrance-free moisturiser after shaving or whenever the area feels dry can help protect the skin and reduce tightness. For people with sensitive skin, choosing products without added fragrance may lower the risk of irritation.

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Choosing between a deodorant and an antiperspirant also depends on your needs. Deodorants target odour by reducing or masking the bacteria responsible for unpleasant smells, while antiperspirants reduce sweating by temporarily blocking sweat glands. People who experience excessive sweating may benefit from antiperspirants, while others may only need odour protection. Dermatologists also note that antiperspirants tend to work best when applied at night because sweat production is lower while you sleep.

Dark underarms are another common concern, but they rarely have a single cause. Repeated friction, shaving, irritation, hormonal changes and certain skin conditions can all play a role. Results usually take time. Products promising instant lightening should be approached with caution. Consistent skincare, reducing irritation and seeking medical advice when pigmentation changes suddenly are safer long-term strategies.

Photo: Pinterest

Looking after your underarms is not about chasing perfection. Healthy skin can have texture, visible hair follicles and natural colour variations. The goal is comfort and healthier skin. Deodorant remains an important part of personal care, but it should not be the only step. A few extra minutes each week can help improve how your underarms look, feel and respond to daily wear.

Facial skincare routines have received far more attention than underarm care. People are now applying similar skincare habits to their underarms. Looking after your underarms is a practical part of maintaining healthy skin.