Beauty QnA

My skin gets very dry in winter, especially my face. What would be the best treatment to nourish my skin? - Melanie Joseph Dry skin in the winter months is a very common problem. It is vital that you invest in a rich day cream or moisturiser (preferably with at least SPF 15) that is suitable for your skin type. Remember to exfoliate three times a week (this is very important) and treat your skin to a mask once a week to give your skin a quick moisture boost. You can also purchase a hydrating serum, which you should apply to your skin before your moisturiser. You'll get silky smooth skin in no time! We often take our skin for granted, so remember to pamper your precious skin in the harsh winter months.

Everyone says that tissue oils are good for stretch marks. What about older stretch marks? - Simone Lombaard.

Our production manager, Kim is a huge fan of the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Body range. She recommends that you use the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks to lighten and reduce the appearance of older stretch marks. She has noticed a vast improvement since using this particular product. The other product she recommends from the range (for preventative measures) is the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Vitamin E Scar Serum. Unfortunately, old stretch marks are difficult to get rid of because the tissue is already damaged. However, the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Body range definitely improves the appearance. Palmer's is available at Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Clicks stores, Pick n Pays and major baby stores nationwide.

Are Aloe Vera products safe for daily use on the skin? - Eva Laker

Hi Eva. Aloe Vera extract from the Aloe Vera plant has been used in plenty of products that we use today; namely sunscreens, moisturisers and soothing creams/gels to calm burns, insect bites and even irritated skin. My answer to you is yes, it is safe to use Aloe Vera products on your body, as it contains plenty of natural vitamins and minerals and has many healing properties. However, please ensure that you are familiar with the best Aloe Vera products out there and are not tricked by fake imitation products or poor quality Aloe Vera for that matter. Visit your trusted health stores and Wellness Warehouse (if you live in Cape Town) and chat to the experts there to ensure you are using the correct products. I've also stumbled across a fantastic website for you called www.thealoeverasite.com. It's very informative and will be able to answer any further questions you may have.

This winter, I've noticed my scalp start has started to itch and flake and create dandruff. What can I do to solve it and prevent it from happening again? - MaFe Gallegos P.

There are plenty of factors that could trigger off dandruff such as:

• Stress
• Not enough shampooing
• Reaction to new hair care products
• Diet

However, it seems to me that due to the recent weather change, your skin has gotten dryer because of the cold winter air. Overheated rooms also play a strong role in drying out the skin. Chat to your hairdresser and ask them to recommend a good shampoo to get rid of the flakes. If the problem is quite severe, consult a doctor or dermatologist in order to get a specialised shampoo over the counter.

Do you have a question for our beauty team? Ask us in the comments section below or on Facebook.