The Skincare Mistakes You’re Making This Winter
Glass skin trend booms, with 90,500 monthly searches and 1.1 million TikTok posts, but experts warn about how to achieve it safely
As temperatures drop and indoor heating rises, skin faces one of its toughest seasonal challenges. According to leading wellness and beauty booking platform Fresha, demand for winter skincare has surged by 303% in the past quarter, highlighting consumers’ growing focus on seasonal skin health. Fresha and its skincare experts are reminding consumers that winter skincare success lies in hydration, barrier repair and protection, not product overload.
Here, Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert at Fresha, shares the most common mistakes people make with their skincare during the winter months
With 90,500 monthly searches for “glass skin” and over 1.1 million posts under #glassskin on TikTok, it’s clear that achieving radiant, flawless skin is a major beauty goal for many. But while trends like this inspire people to take better care of their skin, they can also encourage habits that do more harm than good, especially during the colder months, when the skin barrier is already under stress.
Here are some of the most common skincare mistakes to avoid this winter:
Overloading your skin: The popular glass skin trend has encouraged complex layering, but too many products can clog pores and overwhelm the barrier. It’s recommended to sticking to 5-6 layers maximum, introducing new formulas gradually.
Skipping SPF: UV rays don’t disappear in winter. UVA rays penetrate clouds and windows, accelerating ageing. It’s important to always finish your morning skincare routine with SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days.
Over-exfoliating: Cold, dry air already compromises the skin barrier. Limit exfoliation to once a week, using gentle acids like PHA or lactic acid instead of stronger glycolic acids.
Using hot water: Long, hot showers and cleaners strip essential oils. You should opt for lukewarm water and finish with a rich moisturiser.
Prolonged use of ice rollers: Ice rollers can reduce puffiness and soothe skin, but should be used gently for 1–2 minutes per area, preferably over a cloth, and followed by moisturiser. Overuse or applying to sensitive skin can cause irritation or broken capillaries, and they won’t permanently tighten pores.
DIY slugging with petroleum jelly every night: Slugging can help lock in moisture, but doing it nightly, especially on acne-prone skin, can trap bacteria and lead to breakouts. Limit it to when your skin feels particularly dry.
190% spike in Salmon DNA searches shows winter’s must-try skincare trend
Global searches for ‘Salmon DNA treatment’ are up 190%, fuelled by the Hailey Bieber skin revival trend. Winter is the perfect season to explore the treatment, which deeply repairs and regenerates the skin, restoring brightness and bounce when complexions tend to look their dullest.
The most effective results usually come from in-clinic treatments, but there are also serums and creams with Salmon DNA-inspired ingredients for at-home use.
Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert at Fresha, reveals the treatments you should and shouldn’t get during the winter season to protect your skin:
Hydrating Facials: This is a go-to winter treatment for all skin types. Hydrating facials infuse the skin with moisture-binding ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides, focusing on barrier repair rather than deep exfoliation. Avoid deep exfoliating or harsh resurfacing facials in winter, as cold, dry air already compromises the skin barrier. Look for options featuring marine or algae extracts for an added mineral boost.
LED Light Therapy: Red LED light helps to calm inflammation and boost collagen production, making it ideal for dry, sensitive, or rosacea-prone skin during the colder months. The treatment is non-invasive, requires zero downtime, and pairs perfectly with hydrating facials or post-peel recovery. Avoid heat-intensive treatments like steam facials or saunas, which can strip the skin’s natural oils and worsen winter dryness.
Gentle Chemical Peels: Winter is an excellent time for mild resurfacing treatments, provided they’re done with care. Avoid strong glycolic, TCA, or microdermabrasion treatments, which can over-dry and irritate winter skin. Instead, opt for gentler lactic acid or PHA-based peels that refine skin texture without compromising the barrier. These treatments help remove dull surface cells and improve the penetration of serums and moisturisers.