Winter Skincare Myths You Need to Stop Believing
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Winter skincare is not about heavier products or seasonal fads, it’s about understanding your skin’s changing needs and strengthening its natural barrier
Discover the truth behind common winter skincare myths as experts debunk misconceptions about moisturisers, SPF, hot showers, lip care, hair care, and barrier health.
As temperatures drop and humidity levels dip, winter brings a familiar challenge: dry, irritated skin and the urge to overhaul one’s skincare routine. But alongside these seasonal changes comes a flurry of misinformation, myths passed down through habits, assumptions, and half-truths. To help decode what’s true and what’s not, we spoke to two industry experts, Nitin Jain, founder, La Pink, and Aromatherapist Divita Kanoria, founder, TATHA.
Together, they debunk some of the most common winter skincare myths and explain what your skin really needs during the colder months.
Myth 1: “My summer routine works in winter too.”
Many believe that if a routine works in summer, it should work in winter as well. But as Nitin Jain explains, the skin’s needs change significantly with the weather. He notes that colder air pulls moisture from the skin, weakening the barrier and accelerating dryness. While gentle cleansers and basic hydrators may work year-round, winter typically requires richer, barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and nourishing oils.
He also emphasises lip care, one of the most neglected aspects of winter routines. La Pink’s balms enriched with shea butter and plant oils were designed specifically to combat seasonal lip dehydration.
Myth 2: “I don’t need moisturiser if my skin doesn’t feel dry.”
Dryness often begins at the cellular level, long before you can feel or see it. Jain explains that preventative moisturisation is essential to reduce micro-damage caused by low humidity.
He highlights ingredients like kokum butter, sunflower oil, avocado extracts, and other nutrient-rich plant oils used in La Pink formulations. These not only lock in moisture but also strengthen the skin’s natural lipid barrier to prevent future dryness. Using a nourishing face wash and a hydrating body lotion consistently helps keep the skin smooth, resilient, and protected throughout winter.
Myth 3: “You don’t need sunscreen in winter.”
According to Divita Kanoria, this is one of the most harmful winter myths. UV rays remain constant year-round and can even intensify when reflected off cold surfaces. Skipping sunscreen accelerates pigmentation, wrinkles, and premature ageing, even on cloudy days.
Kanoria stresses that SPF should be a non-negotiable step, regardless of season.
Myth 4: “Thicker creams are always better in winter”
A heavy texture does not automatically mean better hydration. Kanoria explains that what the skin truly needs is barrier-strengthening ingredients, not greasy formulas. Ceramides, plant stem cells, and peptides support repair and hydration without clogging pores.
Often, a lightweight but well-designed cream performs far better than a thick, occlusive one.
Myth 5: “Hot showers hydrate the skin”
Long, steaming showers may feel comforting, but they strip the skin of natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Kanoria advises opting for lukewarm water and moisturising immediately after bathing while the skin is still damp to lock in hydration effectively.
Myth 6: “Lips don’t need separate care”
Lips lose moisture faster than any other area of the face. Jain recommends using a lip balm enriched with Vitamin E, shea butter, licorice oil, and nourishing plant extracts to keep them soft and protected throughout winter.
Myth 7: “Hair doesn’t need extra nourishment in winter”
Cold winds disrupt hair cuticles, causing frizz and breakage. Jain suggests incorporating a methi-dana–infused hair oil to strengthen roots and restore smoothness.
Myth 8: “Only dry skin needs winter care”
Winter impacts all skin types including oily and combination skin. Jain explains that cold weather weakens the lipid barrier universally, increasing moisture loss even in oily skin. This can lead to flakiness, whiteheads, and purging.
La Pink’s winter formulations, he notes, are based not only on science but also on customer feedback. Ingredients like white haldi, kukum butter, cactus flower extracts, and cold-pressed plant oils help balance oil production while maintaining hydration meeting European quality standards for clean beauty.
Myth 9: “Winter dryness is only seasonal”
Kanoria clarifies that winter simply magnifies underlying concerns like dehydration, barrier weakness, or inflammation. Treating the root cause not just the weather is key to maintaining healthy skin.
Winter skincare is not about heavier products or seasonal fads, it’s about understanding your skin’s changing needs and strengthening its natural barrier. As both experts conclude, a targeted, ingredient-driven routine offers far better results than relying on outdated myths.
This season, ditch the misconceptions and embrace skincare that genuinely supports your skin and hair through colder months.
Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram …Read More
Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram … Read More
November 26, 2025, 11:22 IST
