I’ve long struggled with dry, sensitive skin, even experiencing dehydration and a compromised skin barrier.
Dryness across both my face and body can flare up, especially during the colder months, when temperatures change or when I try harsh products.
That’s why it’s important to always have a stockpile of trusty skincare saviours on hand.
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For me, it’s QV Skincare, the Aussie-made brand that formulates, manufactures and packages all its products at Ego Pharmaceuticals at its Melbourne-based facility.
With a focus on barrier-friendly ingredients and formulas free from nasties and fragrances, the best-selling range has become a non-negotiable in my routine.
And I’m not the only one who laps up these formulas. QV Skincare has thousands of fans across the globe, from the UK to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The brand is even home to specialised formulas that can help to relieve the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis.
While there are many to choose from, these are the cult-favourite formulas I rely on when my skin needs a little TLC.
Best body cleanser: QV Gentle Wash, $16.99
When my skin is feeling particularly dry or sensitive, I reach for QV Gentle Wash in the shower.
It’s a soap-free body cleanser that gently washes away impurities without stripping moisture from my skin.
The results? Soft and supple limbs without any tight feeling after I towel dry.
QV Gentle Wash, $16.99 Credit: EgoBest face cleanser: QV Face Gentle Cleanser, $11.99
Ask anyone and they’ll say the same thing: a good skincare routine starts with a gentle cleanse.
For me, QV’s Face Gentle Cleanser ticks all the boxes.
Thanks to its creamy formula, it’s perfect for dry and sensitive skin types, cleansing away makeup and impurities at the end of the day.
QV Face Gentle Cleanser, $11.99 Credit: EgoBest multi-use product: QV Dermcare Sting-Free Ointment, $14.99
Cracked elbows? Sore heels? QV’s Dermcare Sting-Free Ointment is a master at soothing them all.
The formula is free from water, and can hydrate dry, cracked, or eczema-prone skin without stinging.
For less than $15, it’s the kind of tube a household has multiple of, hidden in every shelf, drawer or handbag for whenever you need it.
QV Dermcare Sting-Free Ointment, $14.99 Credit: EgoBest body moisturiser: Ego QV Ceramides Cream, $25.49
Whenever my body needs an extra hit of hydration, QV’s popular Ceramides Cream is my go-to.
I apply this nourishing formula the second I step out of the shower, and my slightly damp skin laps it up immediately.
Jam-packed with ceramides and niacinamide, it lends a helping hand to replenish moisture and support the skin’s natural barrier.
Ego QV Ceramides Cream, $25.49 Credit: EgoBest face moisturiser: Ego QV Face Nurturing Night Cream, $25.99
My bathroom cabinet has a few of my favourite night creams, but if I notice dry patches appearing, I go back to QV Face Nurturing Night Cream.
It’s packed with a vitamin B3 complex with nourishes and leaves my complexion feeling smooth.
Possibly the best way to end a long day.
Ego QV Face Nurturing Night Cream, $25.99 Credit: Ego