Winter Skin Myths Debunked

What your skin really needs when the temperature drops

Winter brings cozy sweaters and hot drinks—but also tight, flaky, or unpredictable skin. The season’s harsh air and low humidity can leave your skin barrier begging for support. Unfortunately, a few persistent winter skincare myths can make things worse. Let’s clear the confusion and replace those myths with Emogene & Co.–approved truths and easy, barrier-loving swaps.

Myth #1: You don’t need SPF in winter.

Reality: Even when the sun hides, UV rays don’t. Up to 80% of UV radiation reflects off snow and passes through clouds, meaning winter sun exposure can still cause damage and premature aging.

Try instead: 

• Protect every morning with Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, a hydrating, luminous shield that evens tone while defending your skin. 

• For outdoor days or ski trips, layer a higher broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen on top. 

• Finish the day with Clarify Purifying Mist—infused with hypochlorous acid—to calm post-sun redness and keep your skin microbiome balanced. Apply after your freshly cleansed skin. 

Myth #2: Oily skin doesn’t get dry.

Reality: Cold air and indoor heating strip moisture from all skin types. When oily skin gets dehydrated, it often produces more oil, leading to breakouts or dull congestion.

Try instead: 

• Start with Fortiphy Cleansing Balm to melt away buildup and sunscreen without disturbing your natural oils. 

• Follow with Refresh Gel Cleanser for a deeper clean that still respects your barrier. 

• Then layer Prime Niacinamide Serum to rebalance oil production and calm redness, followed by Hydrate Moisture Accelerator to deliver weightless hydration that won’t clog pores. 

• Apply a small amount of Healer All Purpose Balm into any flaky areas to seal moisture and reinforce your barrier overnight.

Myth #3: Hot showers help with dry skin.

Reality: They feel amazing but strip your protective lipids, leaving skin tight and dehydrated.

Try instead: 

• Keep the water lukewarm and swap harsh facial cleansers for Ritual Foaming Milk Cleanser, rich in oat, apple, and coconut amino acids to cleanse gently while maintaining hydration. 

• For full-body hydration, smooth Remedy Body Oil onto damp skin post-shower. This nutrient-rich blend of chamomile, calendula, lavender-infused grapeseed, apricot kernel, and hemp seed oils locks in moisture and restores a soft, luminous finish.

Myth #4: You should exfoliate more often in winter.

Reality: Over-exfoliating can weaken your barrier, increasing redness and flaking. What your skin really needs is consistent, gentle renewal—not overexposure.

Try instead: 

• Use Renew Facial Toner with 0.75% salicylic acid for mild cell turnover and clearer pores. 

• Indulge in Resurfacing Enzyme Facial Mask, powered by pomegranate, pineapple, and papaya enzymes to smooth and brighten without irritation. 

• After exfoliating, replenish immediately with Glow Vitamin C Serum or Prime Niacinamide Serum to restore antioxidants and hydration.

Myth #5: Cracked lips and rough patches are just part of winter.

Reality: They’re signs of a compromised barrier—not an inevitability. With the right care, you can keep even the driest areas soft and soothed.

Try instead: 

• For daily comfort, apply CocoVanil Lip Conditioner to infuse chamomile, calendula, and lavender-infused grapeseed oil into delicate lip skin. 

• When extreme dryness hits—around the nose, elbows, or knuckles—reach for Healer All Purpose Balm, featuring amla oil for antioxidant-rich repair. For a full-body boost, layer Remedy Body Oil over damp skin to restore elasticity and glow.

Myth #6: Your skin doesn’t need “active” care in winter.

Reality: It still benefits from balanced active products that support renewal and barrier repair. “Active care” means using ingredients that gently create change in your skin—boosting brightness, encouraging healthy turnover, and improving texture—all while keeping your barrier protected.

Try instead: 

• Add Glow Vitamin C Serum in the morning for brightening 

• Prime Niacinamide Facial Serum: a vitamin boost for the skin with peptides, antioxidants and hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid and aloe vera

• Refine Eye Serum: contains a retinol alternative called bakuchiol that increases cell turnover to reveal bright, fresh skin cells. Can be used morning and evening. 

• Resurfacing Enzyme Mask weekly for gentle turnover. 

• Follow with Hydrate Moisture Accelerator and Radiant SPF to seal in results and protect new skin cells from UV damage.

Final Thoughts

Winter skincare isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. Support your barrier, layer hydration, protect daily, and choose formulas that nourish rather than strip. With consistent care and Emogene & Co.’s plant-powered essentials, your skin can stay calm, supple, and radiant—even when the air outside is anything but.