Overview
Acne arises due to various factors in both summertime and wintertime. During the summers, you can suffer from acne because of sun exposure, sweating, swimming, and pollutants. On the other hand, during the cold months, the combination of chilly temperatures and low humidity levels causes dryness. As a result, the sebaceous glands secrete more oil to reduce the dry effect, which gives rise to acne. Also, winter acne affects different parts of the body. The nose, chin, forehead, and the T-Zone are most susceptible to acne because of high oil production in these areas. The upper chest, shoulders, and back are other areas where acne appears. Now, knowing how to treat and prevent acne during the cold months can be beneficial. So, here we discuss all about winter acne, along with the ways of treating and preventing this skin disorder.
More About Winter Acne
Acne breakouts during the winter season are referred to as winter acne. Well, it becomes difficult to treat these skin blemishes because of the extreme dryness. Now, the cold winter weather air does not hold much moisture, which is why your skin becomes dry. To add to that, the use of in-house heaters further dries your skin. Hot showers and caps are other contributing factors to winter acne. Moreover, it becomes difficult to treat dry, flaky skin because many anti-acne treatments contain skin drying agents, which exacerbate the acne condition.
Why Acne Occurs in Winter?
Among the many reasons for acne to become severe in winter are:
- Low humidity levels cause a dip in air moisture
- The skin becomes dry during the cold months
- Skin dryness leads to greater secretion of oil by the sebaceous glands
- Bathing with hot water further strips your skin of moisture
- Exposure to indoor heaters dries out the surrounding air
Preventing and Treating Winter Acne Breakouts
Your dermatologist can draw a winter skincare routine suitable for your skin type, which should include:
1) Moisturizing
As compared to thick cream-based moisturizers, the lighter variants make for a good choice for winter acne treatment. That’s because thick moisturizers raise the risk of breakouts in people with acne-prone skin. The oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizers with ingredients such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and hyaluronic acid should be your pick. Their ability to draw moisture to your skin makes them a good choice. Try Kosmoderma’s anti-acne Dermabrite Cream to brighten your skin. It is enriched with hyaluronic acid and other nourishing ingredients such as niacinamide, kojic acid, and glutathione, all of which contribute to the skin radiating effect.
2) Moisturizing More Often
Apply moisturizer not only at the end of the day but also after washing your face. By doing so, you can trap any moisture after cleansing, which also helps to soothe any skin irritation. After the skin absorbs the moisturizer, you can go ahead and apply other skincare products. Thereafter, you must apply a lotion-based moisturizer. It is also advisable to apply moisturizer to your face and body after bathing.
3) Avoid Over Cleansing
It is important to note that your skin loses moisture every time you wash your face, particularly if you use hot water. Hence, it is not advisable to wash your face frequently during the winter months, irrespective of acne breakouts or not. Remember, over-cleaning can aggravate the acne symptoms. So, wash your face two times a day and take baths less frequently.
4) Opt for Gentle Facial Cleansers
During summertime, the weather is humid and your skin becomes oily. So, you might use a facial cleanser that removes oil and reduces your risk of breakouts during that time of the year. However, using these cleansers during the winter season is not recommended. Rather, you should use gentle cleansers such as Kosmoderma’s Soap-Free Daily Gentle Skin Cleanser that protects, cleans, and hydrates your skin, restoring the much-desired oil-free look.
5) Exfoliating
Dryness can make your skin thick and flaky, which clogs the pores. Thus, you are advised to use a chemical-based exfoliating face scrub with gentle cleansing action to reduce dryness and your risk of breakouts. Your dermatologist will also suggest using a moisturizer before exfoliating.
6) Wearing Sunscreen When Outdoors
Cold temperatures cannot save your skin from sun damage and acne breakouts. Therefore, you must apply sunscreen even during the winter months. The sunscreen varieties with SPF 30 or more provide adequate protection from the harmful action of the sun’s rays. Kosmoderma’s Photo Protect Sunscreen Gel with SPF 40+++, with its non-oil and non-sticky base, protects your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, making it a worthy purchase.
Conclusion
Every season comes with its own set of challenges and you have to make the necessary adjustments to your skincare routine for acne-free clear skin. Apply the given tips and say goodbye to winter acne for a blemish-free glow for a new, confident you.
FAQs
1. How to prevent acne during the winter months?
As part of your acne prevention measures during the cold season, you must apply moisturizer to your face and body and use a humidifier to moisten the surrounding air. Besides that, you must not use hot water to wash your face, and neither dry your skin vigorously with a towel after your bath. Moreover, opt for a gentle facial cleanser that suits your skin type.
2. What is the difference between regular acne and dry skin pimples?
Dry air and cold climatic conditions aggravate the problems of dry skin pimples, leading to severe breakouts. Conversely, acne is caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and hormonal imbalances.
3. What makes for a good winter skincare routine?
Choose skin moisturizers containing vitamin-E, glycerin, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid. Additionally, use gentle skin cleansers and stay hydrated. Also, do not over-exfoliate to prevent your skin from getting stripped of its natural oils.