# Skinbar

> Skincare guides for South African conditions (high UV, Highveld dry winters, humid coast) with cited sources, plus skincare and makeup products with photos and prices from YesStyle, Stylevana, StyleKorean and Jolse. Written by the Skinbar editorial team. Prices show source and check date; most product links are Awin affiliate links.

## Guides
- [Face sunscreen for South African sun: what to buy and how to use it](https://skinbar.co.za/guides/sunscreen-south-africa/): Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning, and go SPF 50 if you're fair, outdoors a lot, or on retinol. Most people apply less than they need, so the amount you use matters more than the brand.
- [An oily-skin routine that controls shine without stripping](https://skinbar.co.za/guides/oily-skin-routine/): Wash with a gentle gel cleanser morning and night, use a niacinamide serum, a light gel moisturiser, and an oil-free SPF 50 in the morning. Skipping moisturiser or over-washing tends to make shine worse, not better.
- [Dry skin routine for Highveld winters and air-conditioned offices](https://skinbar.co.za/guides/dry-skin-routine/): Switch to a non-foaming cleanser, apply a hydrating serum to damp skin, and seal it in with a ceramide cream within a few minutes of washing. Keep SPF in the morning, because winter sun on the Highveld is still strong.
- [Acne-prone skin: an over-the-counter routine that's worth six weeks](https://skinbar.co.za/guides/acne-prone-skin-routine/): For mild breakouts, use a gentle cleanser, one acne active such as salicylic acid, a non-comedogenic moisturiser and SPF, and give it six to eight weeks. Painful cysts, scarring, or acne that doesn't improve in three months need a doctor.
- [Niacinamide: what the research shows and how to use it](https://skinbar.co.za/guides/niacinamide-guide/): Niacinamide (vitamin B3) can reduce surface oil, improve the look of pores and texture, and fade dark marks over 4 to 12 weeks. Studies used 2% to 5%; higher strengths aren't needed and can irritate some skin.
- [Retinol for beginners: how to start without wrecking your skin](https://skinbar.co.za/guides/retinol-beginners/): Start with a low-strength retinol two nights a week, on dry skin, with moisturiser on top, and build up over about eight weeks. Wear SPF every morning, and don't use retinol if you're pregnant or trying to be.
- [A skincare routine under R500: what to buy first](https://skinbar.co.za/guides/budget-routine-under-r500/): Buy a gentle cleanser and a daily SPF 50 first, since they do most of the work. Add one serum, usually niacinamide, in month two if there's budget left.

## Top 10 lists
- [Top 10 highest rated toners](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/toners/)
- [Top 10 highest rated cleansers](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/cleansers/)
- [Top 10 highest rated serums and toners](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/serums/)
- [Top 10 highest rated sunscreen](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/spf/)
- [Top 10 highest rated moisturisers](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/moisturisers/)
- [Highest rated lip tints and lipsticks](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/lip/)
- [Highest rated eye makeup](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/eye-makeup/)
- [Highest rated primer, powder and concealer](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/primer-powder/)
- [Top 10 for acne-prone skin](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/acne-prone-skin/)
- [Top 10 for dark spots and dull skin](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/dark-spots-and-glow/)
- [Top 10 for dry and dehydrated skin](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/dry-skin/)
- [Top 10 for sensitive and red skin](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/sensitive-skin/)
- [Top 10 for oily skin and pores](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/oily-skin-and-pores/)
- [Top 10 for fine lines and firmness](https://skinbar.co.za/top-10/anti-ageing/)

## Shop
- [Toners](https://skinbar.co.za/toners/)
- [Cleansers](https://skinbar.co.za/cleansers/)
- [Serums and toners](https://skinbar.co.za/serums/)
- [Sunscreen](https://skinbar.co.za/spf/)
- [Moisturisers](https://skinbar.co.za/moisturisers/)
- [Foundation and cushions](https://skinbar.co.za/foundation-cushion/)
- [Lip tints and lipsticks](https://skinbar.co.za/lip/)
- [Eye makeup](https://skinbar.co.za/eye-makeup/)
- [Blush and highlighter](https://skinbar.co.za/blush-highlighter/)
- [Primer, powder and concealer](https://skinbar.co.za/primer-powder/)
- [All products](https://skinbar.co.za/shop/)

## About
- [Methodology](https://skinbar.co.za/methodology/)
- [Affiliate disclosure](https://skinbar.co.za/affiliate-disclosure/)

## Policies
- About: https://skinbar.co.za/about/
- Contact: https://skinbar.co.za/contact/
- Terms: https://skinbar.co.za/terms/
- Disclosure: https://skinbar.co.za/affiliate-disclosure/
- Full text: https://skinbar.co.za/llms-full.txt

## How the site makes money
- Affiliate links through Awin (publisher 2055499) to YesStyle, StyleKorean, Jolse and Stylevana. If you buy after clicking one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
- Google AdSense ads (publisher ca-pub-9872037945899591).