5 Winter Skincare Myths Debunked

Gliding through winter with radiant, smooth skin requires a switch-up in your daily routine. So, take stumbling upon this blog as your sign to do the needful. A word to the wise: don’t fall prey to rampant winter myths that can derail your efforts for dreamy skin. To help you in this endeavor, we are debunking the most common winter skincare myths today. From not wearing SPF in the colder months to taking cold showers for hydration – all the misinformation you ought to discard. 

Myth 1: You don’t need sunscreen in winter  

The Myth: “ Its cold and cloudy – there is no sun. I can skip sunscreen.” 

This is the most common myth pertaining to winter skincare. You cannot steer clear of SPF just because it’s an overcast day. For the unaware, harmful UV rays can easily penetrate bands of clouds and even snow to wreak havoc on your skin.  

Actionable Item: As discussed, even if the sun is not visible – you need sunscreen. To prevent photoaging, pigmentation, and tanning, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Experts suggest that Indian skin needs SPF 30 or more for infallible sun protection. Apply two fingers’ worth of the formula and reapply every two hours for the best results. 

Myth 2: Hot showers hydrate your skin 

The Myth: "Hot showers are great for keeping my skin moisturized in winter." 

Taking a hot, relaxing shower may seem very tempting in the colder months. But you must avoid it at all costs. Contrary to the common misconception, hot water doesn’t moisturize your skin. It strips the dermis of natural oils, leading to dehydration and dryness. This leads to rough, flaky patches appearing randomly that refuse to budge. 

Actionable item: To maintain a balanced skin microbiome, use cold or lukewarm water while bathing. Additionally, we recommend using a gentle body wash that removes impurities, grime, and excess sebum from the pores while ensuring long-lasting skin hydration. 

Myth 3: Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer in Winter  

The Myth: "My skin produces enough oil in winter; I don’t need to moisturize." 

Lack of humidity, cold winds, and indoor heating can easily dehydrate oily skin too. To prevent this problem, you need a moisturizer for oily skin. A potent moisturizer creates a film on the skin, preventing TEWL or transepidermal water loss. This little step in your daily rituals preserves skin hydration while banishing flakiness, tightness, and dullness for good.  

Actionable Item: Since oily skin carries overactive sebaceous glands, it is more susceptible to clogged pores. This is why we recommend a lightweight, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic moisturizer for the oily skin type. Foxtale’s gel-based moisturizer with Niacinamide fits the bills – blotting excess sebum and preventing clogged pores upon application.   

Myth 4: Exfoliation is Bad for Dry Winter Skin 

The Myth: "Exfoliating in winter worsens dry skin." 

Regular exfoliation is indispensable for healthy skin – regardless of the season. Exfoliation removes dirt, dead cells, and sebum from the dermis, preventing better absorption of your serums. So, if you’re using hydrating products with Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerine, and Aquaporin Booster in your routine, exfoliation beforehand will ensure better results.  

Actionable Item: Use a gentle yet efficacious formula with AHA BHA to achieve smooth, radiant. Use it 2 to 3 times a week to avoid over-exfoliation. For those unaware, over-exfoliation dispels your skin’s natural oils, leading to dehydration, dryness, and worrisome flare-ups. 

Myth 5: Drinking Water is Enough to Keep Skin Hydrated 

The Myth: "Hydrating from within is all I need for glowing skin in winter." 

Internal hydration is not enough for glowing skin! Look for topical hydration with Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerine, Lactic Acid, and more such humectants. These ingredients help bind moisture molecules to the skin, soothe inflammation, heal flakiness, and uphold barrier health. 

Actionable Item: Layer a thick, non-greasy moisturizers with a Hyaluronic Acid Serum. While Hyaluronic Acid replenishes your skin’s moisture bank, a potent cream puts a sturdy lock on it. 

Winter Skincare Tips To Live By 

Now that you’re well-versed in what not to do, here’s everything you should do for glowing skin in winter. These winter skincare tips are approved by professionals across the world. So, keep reading -

1. Refrain from using a harsh cleanser: To seal maximum hydration into your skin, use a hydrating face wash with Hyaluronic Acid or other humectants. Avoid harsh cleansers with SLS or parabens that zap moisture from the skin, leading to dryness and tightness.

2. Use a thicker moisturizer in winter: The plummeting temperatures, cold winds, and indoor heating systems zap every last moisture molecule from the skin, leading to severe dehydration. Therefore, we recommend picking a thick, rich moisturizer for the cold weather. This little switch-up will optimize hydration for supple, smooth, and taut skin.  

 Conclusion 

To keep your skin happy and healthy during winter, you need a full-fledged skincare routine. Think of heavy hydrating treatments, result-oriented serums, and weekly masking rituals. However, the haze of winter skincare myths can derail your efforts. Some common ones include – not using sunscreen when it's cold, steering clear of exfoliation, not moisturizing oily skin, and more. Make sure to discard these misconceptions on your path to gorgeous, glowing skin.