Winter Habits That Sabotage Your Skin

Winter is tough on your skin and it’s not just the cold weather to blame. As the temperature drops, the air becomes drier and humidity levels plummet. Combine this with artificial indoor heating and our love for long, hot showers, and it creates the perfect storm for skin stress.

When your environment loses moisture, your skin follows. As a result, your skin may experience the following symptoms: 

• Tightness and discomfort
  
• Flakiness and rough texture
  
• Increased sensitivity or redness
  
• Dehydration lines that make skin look dull and fatigued
  

And here’s the kicker: many of the habits we turn to for comfort during winter, like cranking up the heater or indulging in those steamy showers, can actually strip away your skin’s natural barrier and make these symptoms worse.

In this blog, we’ll uncover the surprising everyday winter habits that could be sabotaging your skin, and share professional solutions to restore a healthy, radiant complexion all season long.

Winter’s Sneaky Skin Saboteurs

You might blame the cold for your winter skin struggles, but often the real culprits are hidden in your daily routine. These common habits can silently weaken your barrier and leave your skin dry, irritated, and reactive.

Winter Skin Sabotage #1: Long, Hot Showers

We know - nothing feels better than a steaming shower in winter. But hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, weakening the barrier and causing tightness and irritation. 

Fix it: Take shorter, lukewarm showers and follow up with a nourishing moisturiser while your skin is still damp. We love  O Cosmedics Nourishing Cleansing Balm, O Cosmedics Youth Activating Balm and O Cosmedics Comfort Cream

Winter Skin Sabotage #2: Indoor Heating

The use of indoor heaters, whether portable or wall units, create dry, artificial air that saps moisture from your skin leading to dehydration and sensitivity. 

Fix it: Use a humidifier or keep a bowl of water near heaters. Boost hydration with hyaluronic acid-rich products and LED Light Therapy to restore balance. We love O Cosmedics Hydra Plus Sleep in Mask and O Cosmedics 3D Hyaluronic Serum

Winter Skin Sabotage #3: Skipping SPF

Just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean UV rays disappear. Winter sun damage can be sneaky and cumulative. Even in winter, UVA rays penetrate clouds and windows, contributing to premature ageing and barrier damage.

Fix it: Wear SPF every single day, even on gloomy days. We love O Cosmedics Mineral Pro SPF 30 or SPF 50

Winter Skin Sabotage #4: Over-Exfoliating

Trying to scrub away dry patches more often than required can damage your skin barrier further, leaving your skin raw and inflammed and more sensitive than before. 

Fix it: Swap harsh scrubs for gentle enzyme exfoliation or professional peels to remove dead skin without stripping. We love O Cosmedics 3 in 1 Fruit Peel Mask and O Cosmedics Multi Functional Peel. Ask your skin therapist about our Power Peel treatment!

Winter Skin Sabotage #5: Ignoring Professional Treatments

Are you guilty of putting your skin treatments on hold in winter? We understand that cooler weather often means fewer social events, a decline in mood and motivation and sensitised skin which may lead you to press pause on your in-salon professional skin treatments.

But winter is actually the ideal time to focus on your skin. With less sun exposure, a lower UV index, and shorter days, it’s easier to protect your skin after treatments, reducing the risk of pigmentation and speeding up recovery. Cooler weather also makes downtime more manageable. You can cover up and avoid activities that might irritate your skin while it heals.

By treating your skin in winter, you’re not only repairing and strengthening it when it needs it most, but also setting yourself up for your best skin as the warmer months return.

Fix it: Treatments like Lymphatic Enzyme Therapy, Hydrating Facials, and LED Light Therapy help rebuild and strengthen your barrier faster than homecare alone.

The Bottom Line

Winter skin isn’t just about what’s happening outside, it’s what you do inside, too. Break these habits, add the right treatments, and your skin will thank you. Give your skin the professional care and attention when it needs it most. Book in for a complimentary skin consultation to find out how we can manage your skin concerns by creating a skin treatment plan tailored especially for you.