Glazed-doughnut skin, glass skin, dolphin skin. The limit really doesn’t exist, but nothing beats a glow that looks like it came from within. Now, of course skincare is key for dewy, fresh-looking skin – though in winter, even the most dedicated routine can leave your complexion needing an extra hit of radiance. Between the icy weather, moisture-sapping central heating and the persistent lack of sunshine, it’s no surprise that skin can start to look a little lacklustre. But have no fear – these editor-approved products are your shortcut to that lit-from-within luminosity.
Start fresh with exfoliation
To get that dewy makeup finish in winter, it all starts with proper exfoliation and hydration before any makeup goes on. Prepping the skin is key – whether you’re after a glassy glow or a soft, natural sheen. Exfoliating first removes dead skin cells and helps serums and moisturisers absorb better, allowing your products to really work their magic. Formulated with both glycolic and lactic acid, the REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask offers one of the most effective facial-like results. And in our humble opinion, it’s arguably the best chemical exfoliator around. This gel-like AHA mask is seriously potent, so expect a mild tingle – plus dolphin-soft skin with noticeably minimised pores. Did we mention that it’s also vegan and cruelty-free?
R880 from REN, Woolworths, Clicks, Cosmetology and SkinMiles
Faux the glow
Facial tanners are part of our everyday makeup routine. We reapply them every few days to keep the glow alive, but as we approach the chillier season, they provide the perfect base for a radiant makeup look. Want the easiest, quickest and most convenient option? Enter: the Azure Tan Plumping Face Tan Serum. Simple to dispense from the pipette, this multi-tasking serum packed with hyaluronic acid gives you full control over your tan. The more drops, the darker the tan – you’ll only need to use between four and five a day. Be sure to apply the formula evenly across your face, neck and décolleté. The glow this cocktail gives feels like skincare, making the bronzing hue it leaves behind seem like a bonus. It’s hard not to be an Azure Tan fan girl, TBH.
R679 from Azure Tan
Create a crease-free canvas
Are fine lines and creases around your eyes getting in the way of a flawless finish? In the dry winter months, when your makeup needs to work overtime to keep skin looking fresh and hydrated, a smooth under-eye base is essential. While eye creams and eye serums aspire to tackle these issues, serums tend to be more potent and better suited for deep treatment. A firming formula that improves smoothness and eases puffiness in minutes? Sign us up. Despite a near-weightless feel, the Gatineau Defi Lift Firming Eye Contour Serum is filled with a bounty of active ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin to awaken the eye area and firm fine lines. As the skin around the eyes is delicate, gently tap the serum in with your ring finger.
R1,525 from Orleans Cosmetics and Woolworths
Quench that skin
As the colder months roll in, our skin – once glistening and radiant – can suddenly turn on us, leaving dehydration and a lack of luminosity in its wake. The good news is that there are plenty of moisturisers made for this very reason. Dry and oily skin types need hydration – especially in winter. The trick is to find what suits your skin and routine. You can always trust the science and expertise that go into any one of Lamelle’s soothing yet efficacious formulas. The Lamelle Serra Soothing Cream is no exception. It’s brimming with all the ingredients you need to boost the skin’s barrier and feed it from within – from ceramides to panthenol – and offers a hydrating veil of protection for your precious dermis. Safe for irritation-prone skin, it’s also fragrance-free.
R905 from Dermastore and Cosmetology
Perfect the base
Those with very dry skin might appreciate a facial oil to lock in moisture atop their usual cream, or even mixed into foundation. Makeup artists have found it helpful to mix a few drops of oil into their foundations just before application to noticeably improve the quality of the makeup – and the skin beneath. By adding the Sisley Paris Black Rose Precious Face Oil to your foundation, you’ll be using less product than normal and will find it a whole lot easier to blend it in for a natural look. Sisley Paris is synonymous with luxury skincare, and its lightweight oil feels as indulgent as it looks. Like all of the brand’s products, it’s stacked with heavy-hitting active ingredients. The eponymous black rose is the real star of the show. We can’t get enough of it.
R4,550 from Sisley Paris, Woolworths and Edgars
Dab, blend and blur
If dewy skin is your thing, let your beauty sponge be your BFF. Unlike brushes, they don’t soak up much product, so your glow-boosting foundation and creamy concealer last way longer – think months, not weeks. When used damp, a sponge helps melt everything into your skin for that fresh, lit-from-within look. Even setting powder won’t dim your shine – just press it in gently with a sponge to lock things down without losing that dewy finish. With so many shapes and textures out there, there’s a sponge for every glow-getter’s routine. The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is a great first foray when you’re used to using brushes. The angled edge allows easy access to smaller areas, like the undereye, when applying concealer.
R190 from Clicks and Dis-Chem
Catch the light just right
A go-to trick for achieving that dewy skin glow is using an iridescent product along the cheekbones. It can be subtly blended with your fingertips or swept on with a brush for a high-blend finish. Liquid highlighters are a must. We love applying them to the high points of the face: The bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow and sometimes even on eyelids and lips to add a gorgeous sheen to these areas. The new Wet n Wild Mega Glo Glow In Love Radiance Liquid feels silky smooth on the skin and stays on for hours. Squeeze on one dot for slight shine or apply three to four for jaw-dropping glimmer. We find that blending this in with our fingers gives the most second-skin finish. Big plus: You can also use it underneath foundation in lieu of primer.
R229.95 from Clicks
Bring on bigger, brighter eyes
Most current beauty trends – including ‘cloud skin’, heatless curls and all the fruit-inspired makeup looks that have gained popularity this year – begin on TikTok. The recent craze for waterline eyeliner pencil is no exception. Fans of Revlon’s ColorStay eyeliners in classic shades like black and brown should certainly grab its new brightening shade. You can’t go wrong with the Revlon ColorStay Multi-Liner – High Point to accentuate the inner corners and brow bones too. It brightens the eyes and by default makes them look more awake. The creamy formula glides on smoothly, making it suitable for daily use. The ColorStay Multi-Liners are a must-have for a travel makeup bag, as they’re designed with the eyes, lips and face in mind.
R219.95 from Edgars, Bash, Takealot and Superbalist
Go for subtle brows and lashes
On eyes, keep it simple. For brows, all you have to do is fluff ’em up or lightly fill them in. Next, curl lashes and go in with a mascara that lengthens and adds volume, but not distractingly so. There’s volumising mascara, and then there’s the RVB LAB Give Me More Mascara. Even though it creates a ton of volume, the result isn’t clumpy. The formula contains fibres that help elongate your fringe, plus nourishing ingredients like seed oils and vitamin E to encourage thickness (no growth serum necessary). It also features a slim, curved wand, which lifts the lashes while grabbing each one. Removing excess mascara from the wand prior to application will achieve a fresher look. We love how it holds up through a day of wear – no raccoon eyes in sight.
R595 from Orleans Cosmetics
Cushion your pout with a hydration hit
Juicy, glossy lips are one of the biggest makeup looks of 2025. Versatile and easy to use, lip oil – gloss’s much cooler, low-fuss sister – is really having its moment. Looking for a lip oil that will smooth even the driest of lips? Say no more. The new NUXE Rêve de Miel Honey Lip Care combines the brand’s signature lavender honey from Provence with organic camelina oil to keep your pout ultra-supple. Many lip oils add temporary moisture, but this one provides some of the most lasting hydration out of all the options we’ve tested. While the formula is yellow-gold in the tube, it’s actually clear upon application and has a sweet honey scent that makes it smell just as good as it feels. Smooth it on over your lip colour, or layer it with a balm for a glasslike finish.
R445 from Orleans Cosmetics and Bash
