Dr Webster’s tips for winter

• Use a high-factor, broadspectrum sunscreen when you’re outdoors or driving long distances. The sun might be weaker but it still produces damaging UVB as well as UVA rays, which can penetrate glass. Use a sunscreen with a slightly richer base if your skin feels dry in the colder months.

• Use a humidifier and/or air purifyer at home if you have central heating or open fires.

• If your body is dry and flaking, wash with a mild, cream-based body cleanser. Gently pat your skin dry after a shower or bath but leave it slightly damp and apply a rich moisturiser immediately after.

• When doing household chores, wear latex-free gloves, preferably ones with cotton lining, as you can get irritant contact dermatitis from using hot, soapy water too frequently. If your hands are dry and cracked, apply a rich, specially formulated cream such as SBR Repair Cream, R120.

• If your lips tend to become dry and cracked, avoid products with too many ingredients (especially botanicals) as you can become allergic to them. I recommend La RochePosay Ciciplast Lips, R80.

• If you live in the Highveld, your skin is more exposed to pollution from veld fires, coal-burning power stations and exhaust fumes. These all produce more ground-level ozone, which is damaging to skin – it’s known as ‘atmospheric ageing’ or ‘pollution induced skin ageing’. Protect your skin by using a topical antioxidant like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, R2225 for 30ml.

• To prevent dry, cracked heels, leave your feet slightly damp after showering or bathing. Apply a rich foot/heel balm that contains 10% urea. Slip on a pair of cotton socks with a closed shoe to retain moisture. ISDIN Ureadin Podos Gel, R165, is great.