Our African winters may not always call for snow boots and thermal underwear, but the brisk temperatures and low humidity can take their toll on even the most rugged skin. You might find that your face, which seemed perfectly content with a quick splash of water in summer, feels the worse for wear.
Good news, though. This is the perfect season to undergo more professional treatments for your masculine maintenance. Less sun exposure and more time spent indoors mean that certain procedures, such as microneedling and laser therapy, are now much easier to manage and recover from.
Skin Like Silk
Photographer: August de Richelieu
Dr Ruan De Jager, a specialist dermatologist at Dermaporium, explains that winter weakens our skin’s barrier, making tightness, flaking, and irritation more noticeable.
“Winter is tough on the skin because almost everything around us becomes drier,” he says. “The air is colder, indoor heating dries the environment even more, and most people take hotter showers. All of that strips water from the outer layer of the skin.”
Thankfully, the answer doesn’t require a bulging bathroom cabinet. For most men, winter upkeep comes down to a few well-chosen habits, such as cleansing gently, replacing lost moisture, and protecting the skin from the sun.
“The goal is not to add 10 new products,” says Dr Ruan. “It is to stop stripping the skin and start replacing moisture properly.”
Begin by easing up on anything aggressive. Traditional bar soaps, strong scrubs, and very hot water can remove the skin’s natural oils. A gentle cleanser should leave the face clean, not feeling as though it has been angrily sandblasted.
Moisturiser is essential. Look for ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, all of which help the skin retain water and support its protective barrier.
Tamsyn Van Wyk, a somatologist at Nuskinnovation, also recommends lactobionic acid, a gentle polyhydroxy acid with water-binding and antioxidant benefits.
“When temperatures drop, the skin loses moisture more easily due to cold air, lower humidity, and indoor heating,” she says. “Winter is the time to focus on hydration by using a richer moisturiser, avoiding overly harsh cleansers, and supporting the skin barrier with hydrating products.”
Men with oily skin should still moisturise. Your skin can be shiny and dehydrated at the same time, so opt for a lightweight lotion or gel-cream that restores hydration without venturing into greasy territory.
Anyone using retinoids, acne treatments or exfoliating acids may also need to use them less often if the skin becomes dry or sensitive. Sometimes your most sophisticated move can be knowing when to leave your face alone.
Slather That SPF On
Photographer: Anna Tarazevich
But sunscreen is for summer?
UV rays don’t take holidays.
“If I had to recommend just one habit, it would be wearing SPF every single day,” says Van Wyk. “Many people think sunscreen is only necessary in summer, but UV rays are present year-round and remain one of the biggest causes of premature ageing, pigmentation and skin cancer.”
Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to the face, ears, neck, and hands every day. If you spend long periods outdoors, remember to reapply throughout the day.
Winter Skin Tips and Tricks
- Dry skin? Choose a richer moisturiser containing ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone or niacinamide.
- Oily or acne-prone skin? Look for a lightweight, non-comedogenic lotion or gel-cream. Oily skin can still be dehydrated.
- Sensitive? Avoid fragranced products, harsh scrubs, alcohol-heavy aftershaves, and strong exfoliating acids used too often.
- Rough hands, elbows, knees, and feet? Products containing urea or petrolatum can provide more intensive protection.
- When to see a professional? Redness, itching, burning, cracking, bleeding, or persistent flaking that does not improve after one or two weeks of gentle skincare.
Healthy Hair, Beard, and Scalp Care
Photographer: Mindaugas Lazdauskas
During the colder months, your scalp can become dry or irritated, and regular shaving may trigger redness, sensitivity, and ingrown hairs.
For a more comfortable shave, soften the beard area with warm water first and use a proper shaving cream or gel to reduce friction. Follow up with a moisturiser rather than an aftershave that burns. That bracing sting may feel reassuringly traditional, but it’s more likely a warning sign of irritation than proof that the product is working.
Men with beards should also pay attention to the skin beneath the hair. A beard may look impressive, but it does not grant you diplomatic immunity from dryness. Working a lightweight moisturiser into the skin beneath the beard can help reduce flaking and discomfort.
Maxime Yates, a somatologist at The Lotus Flower, is a strong advocate of microneedling for men concerned about patchy beards, scalp hair loss, and shaving-related skin concerns.
“It can help stimulate hair growth in the beard where there is patchiness, as well as support treatment for hair loss on the scalp,” she says. “It can also help with acne scarring, excessive oiliness, and ingrown hairs caused by shaving.”
However, because hair loss has many possible causes, a professional consultation should always come before beginning treatment.
Beard and Scalp Checklist
- Before shaving? Soften the beard with warm water and use shaving cream or gel.
- After shaving? Apply a soothing moisturiser.
- Beard dryness? Moisturise the skin beneath the hair.
- Patchiness or hair loss? Start with a professional assessment before treatment.
Why Winter Is Ideal for Microneedling
Photographer: Omar Medina
Microneedling creates tiny, controlled punctures in the skin using sterile needles. These micro-injuries encourage the skin’s natural repair response, including collagen and elastin production. For men seeking subtle, natural-looking improvements, it may help with fine lines, acne scarring, uneven texture, enlarged pores, excess oil, and ingrown hairs. It can also be used on certain body scars.
Cooler weather can make the temporary redness and warmth that follow treatment easier to tolerate.
“Winter is a good time for microneedling because the skin can look duller and drier, and there is generally less sun exposure,” Maxime explains. “People also tend to spend more time indoors, so there is less risk of having the treatment and then going to lie in the sun, which can also cause pigmentation.”
Before treatment, a numbing cream is usually applied. Some clients feel very little, while others describe the sensation as similar to sandpaper moving across the skin.
Afterwards, your face may look red and feel warm, rather like a mild sunburn. Over the next two or three days, your skin may feel dry or tight, and some light flaking may occur before your complexion feels refreshed again.
Note that microneedling is not suitable for everyone. Men with active acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, a tendency towards keloid scarring, or compromised immune systems should discuss their suitability with a qualified practitioner.
Microneedling At A Glance
- May help with? Fine lines, acne scarring, texture, enlarged pores, excess oil, ingrown hairs, and selected hair-growth concerns.
- Downtime needed? A few days.
- Aftercare? Keep products gentle and follow professional advice carefully.
Why Winter Is Laser Season
Photographer: Anna Shvets
Winter is also a popular season for laser treatments because treated skin is more sensitive to UV exposure while healing. Spending less time in strong sunlight can make aftercare easier and help reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Laser therapies are used to treat sun damage, pigmentation, redness, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, fine lines, acne scarring, and overall skin texture.
There has also been a shift in the way men view aesthetic treatments.
“More men recognise that skincare and aesthetic treatments are part of overall health and self-care rather than vanity,” says Tamsyn. “Many are looking for subtle, natural improvements that help them maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin rather than dramatically changing their appearance.”
Treatments such as Fotona StarWalker and Fotona4Glow may suit gentlemen looking for visible improvement with minimal downtime. The redness often settles by the following day, although the skin can feel slightly rough for a few days.
Retinoids, exfoliating acids, and other potentially irritating products may need to be paused before treatment. Afterwards, a barrier-repair moisturiser and careful sun protection are essential.
A consultation should always come first, as the right treatment depends on the concern, skin type, and medical history.
Before Booking a Laser Treatment
- What is being treated? Pigmentation, redness, enlarged pores, fine lines, acne scarring and uneven texture may require different technologies or settings.
- Is it right for your skin? Treatment choice should take your skin type, medical history, and risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation into account.
- What should you stop using? Retinoids and other active ingredients may need to be paused for several days beforehand and avoided until the skin has recovered.
- What will downtime look like? Most redness may settle by the following day, while mild roughness can last for a few days, often with little or no peeling.
Hibernate into a Handsomer Summer
Winter offers the perfect opportunity to repair and reset, giving you every chance to emerge in the warmer months looking dapper enough to have your friends ask, “What’s your secret?”
(We promise not to tell.)
