Winter can be tough on your skin, and incorrect information about how to care for it can lead to less-than-optimal results. We’ve written great posts about how to Winterize Your Skin and 4 Ways to Fight Dry Skin Naturally, but today we want to go a little deeper to battle winter skincare myths.

Let’s tackle some common winter skincare myths and uncover the truths behind them, along with effective solutions so you can rock healthy, glowing skin all winter long! 

1. You Don’t Need Sunscreen in Winter

Truth: Even though the sun doesn’t feel as hot as it does in summer, the UV rays are still present and can continue to break down your skin cells, leading to premature aging of the skin. Think sun spots, wrinkles, discolouration, and more! 

Solution: Invest in a clean, effective sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to apply daily after your serum. Making it part of your morning skincare routine means that you’ll always be protected! You’ll want to apply it to any area of the face and neck that is exposed to the sun throughout the day. We love Green Beaver’s Mineral Sunscreens!

2. Oily Skin Doesn’t Need Moisturizer in Winter

Truth: All skin types, including oily skin, need hydration, especially in winter when the air is drier. Forced air and lower humidity saps your skin of hydration, which can make your skin look dull and feel tight. Skipping moisturizer can lead to dehydration, causing your skin to produce even more oil.

Solution: Use a simple moisturizer with humectants like hyaluronic acid to keep oily skin hydrated without feeling greasy. Our Hella Hydrating Serum includes both organic cold-pressed rosehip oil for moisturizing and nourishing benefits, plus hyaluronic acid to give your skin a big drink of hydration since it can hold over 1000x its weight in water!

3. Drinking More Water Alone Hydrates Skin

Truth: While staying hydrated is essential, water alone won’t fix dry skin caused by cold air or indoor heating. Skin hydration depends on a combination of internal and external care. We are big believers in getting enough hydration throughout your day, but if your skin is feeling dry this winter season, you’ll want to make sure you’re supporting it on the outside too!

Solution: Complement water intake with a robust skincare routine that is designed to protect the skin barrier. You’ll want to use products that contain humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and organic vegetable glycerin, such as that found in our Fresh Face Cleanser to prevent stripping the skin of its moisture barrier.

You’ll also want to use a moisturizer that includes emollients such as organic cold-pressed rosehip oil in our Hella Hydrating Serum to form a protective barrier that helps retain the skin’s moisture. Finally, occlusives such as organic shea and cocoa butters, found in our Ultra-Moisturizing Body Butter lock in moisture to prevent dry skin.

Bonus tip: While drinking liquids alone won’t hydrate your skin from within, sipping on a cuppa Pure Radiance Tea can help support gut health and provide a ton of vitamins and minerals needed to build healthy, glowing skin.

4. Natural Oils Alone Are Enough for Hydration

Truth: Oils are excellent for sealing in moisture but don’t provide hydration on their own. Hydration comes from water-based ingredients and humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and organic vegetable glycerin.

Solution: Layer your skincare! After cleansing with a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin, apply a hydrating toner like our amazing Magical Mist! It’s made with a blend of organic plant hydrosols from herbs such as lemon balm, rose geranium, cucumber, and calendula plus the humectant organic vegetable glycerin. Using a toner not only deeply hydrates your skin, but also helps balance the skin’s pH, which can prevent dryness and flakiness.

After spritzing your skin, you’ll want to lock in that hydration with a facial oil, like our Hella Hydrating Serum that contains the deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid. This combination is like giving your skin a big drink! Most serums only contain oils, which means that they moisturize the skin, but do not provide hydration. That’s why we love the super duo of organic cold-pressed rosehip oil and hyaluronic acid–and so will your winter skin!

5. Skip Exfoliation During the Winter

Truth: Exfoliating once or twice per week is key to help remove dry, dead skin cells which will allow your moisturizer to penetrate more deeply into your skin.

Solution: Invest in a gentle exfoliator that is infused with skin-nourishing botanicals like our Supernatural Mask. Infused with organic comfrey root and calendula, it soothes and nourishes your skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and revitalized. This gentle mask exfoliates by lifting away dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and preventing breakouts, all while enhancing your natural glow. The organic oats and ECO-CERT white clay gently remove debris and excess oil without stripping your skin. Make sure to follow up with a spritz of Mist and a nourishing application of Serum for the best results!

6. Hot Water is the Best for Cleansing

Truth: Whether you’re warming up with a shower or washing your face at the end of the day, hot water can make your skin more prone to irritation, redness, and dryness. It can also damage your skin microbiome and skin barrier, leading to skin that can become sensitized.

Solution: Aim to use lukewarm water when washing your face and in your shower. If you can’t give up your hot shower, turn down the temperature when washing your face. You’ll also want to make sure to slather your body with Ultra-Moisturizing Body Butter when you get out to infuse your skin with moisturizing plant butters and oils to prevent cracking and irritation. Stick with a gentle, hydrating cleanser and apply your toner and serum as soon as you get out of the shower to seal in moisture and prevent skin dryness.

We hope this article has helped dispel some pervasive winter skincare myths and provided you with the solutions needed so your skin can glow during the colder, darker months!