The 4 Most Common Winter Skincare Mistakes. Do You Make Them Too?

You think you’re giving your skin the best treatment possible. You give it a good cleanse in the morning and remove all of your makeup in the evening. You use high-quality products. You’re diligent with your facial serums and day and night creams. And I’m sure we could go on for a while. Yet you can feel that your skin isn’t at its best. Why is that? You may be making one of these mistakes without even knowing it: 

1.Forgetting to moisturise 

A while back, rumours started going around, claiming that moisturisers shouldn’t be used in the winter months because they contain water particles that freeze on the skin and cause harm. But that’s not the case! The skin doesn’t do well with frequent transitions from hot to cold, overheated rooms and dry air. That’s why it often becomes dry during winter. 

A moisturising cream creates a protective film on the surface of your skin, preventing moisture loss. That’s why your skin desperately needs it, especially in winter. You may want to opt for ones with a thicker texture compared to the ones you would go for in warmer weather.  

“Look for moisturising ingredients such as glycerine and hyaluronic acid, but don’t forget about ceramides, lipids, oils and peptides. You should also focus on products containing probiotics to strengthen the skin’s microbiome,” recommends Kristýna Majerová, an expert aesthetician at @better_skin_now.

2. You change your routine completely 

Some people use the same skincare products all year round, while others change their routine completely as soon as the season changes. Neither of these radical solutions is the best way to go. Either route can shock your skin, possibly resulting in irritation. So try to be empathetic, listen to your skin’s needs and react gently at the first sign of discomfort. 

“If you’re used to using lightweight and gel moisturisers almost all year round, you can’t suddenly switch to 100% shea butter. You may suddenly develop acne or your current breakouts may worsen. This is why I recommend that you change your products with caution,” advises Jekatěna Nagy, an aesthetician and skincare studio owner. 

3. You don’t use SPF 

An overcast sky and freezing temperatures won’t help us remember to wear sun protection. You’ll have to act as your own reminder. The sun appears to be innocent in winter, yet the opposite is true. Although UVB does have a slightly lower intensity during winter, the same can’t be said about UVA. It can penetrate clouds or even glass with ease. 

“UVA radiation increases the risk of skin cancer. It also contributes to premature aging, which includes reduced skin elasticity, wrinkles and unflattering pigmentation,” is how the aesthetician Veronika Michalová from @veronika.skincare describes it.

So no matter if the sun is out or not, stick to using a product with SPF 365 days a year. Day creams that already contain a sufficiently high level of SPF are ideal. “I recommend using SPF 30 or SPF 50. A lower SPF of 30 should be enough to protect you in the city. But reach for SPF 50 when in the mountains and never forget to reapply it during the day,” the aesthetician suggests. 

4. You don’t drink enough water and mechanically irritate your skin  

We tend to drink less water in winter, but water is just as important for our body – and therefore our skin – on cold days. That’s why you should try to drink at least 2 pitchers filled with still water and slices of lemon and cinnamon every day. Warming teas and pure hot broth are also highly effective. 

And aside from keeping an eye on your water intake, also pay attention to your clothing choices. Itchy turtlenecks and scratchy scarves can irritate and weaken the skin by causing friction. That’s why you should opt for more comfortable materials which are more gentle on the skin. 

So what mistakes have you just discovered in your winter skincare routine? If you’ve simply found out that you’re doing everything correctly, congratulations!