Winter, with its dry winds and sudden drop in temperatures, is harsh on your skin, leaving it dry and cracked. But while you are busy adding moisture back to your parched skin, there is another pressing skin issue that often gets overlooked… acne!
Yes, some people suffer worse breakouts in the winter season as compared to the rest of the year. It might sound unbelievable because after all, it is the clogging of pores with sebum that causes acne and since the cold weather tends to strip your skin of sebum, how can you possibly get more pimples? The answer is simple — during winters, the lack of humidity in the air results in excessive loss of hydration from the skin. This results in a significant breach in the lipid barrier of the skin, giving easy access to acne-causing bacteria to get into deep layers of your skin and wreak havoc there. Not to forget, your skin is producing extra sebum anyway to make up for the lost moisture during winters.
So, how exactly are you supposed to deal with winter acne without slathering on drying products like clay masks or benzoyl peroxide on your skin? We have a few suggestions...
- 01. Change your cleansing habits
- 02. Use the right kind of moisturiser
- 03. Avoid touching your face too much
- 04. Add the right acne-fighting ingredients in your routine
01. Change your cleansing habits
Use a mild cleanser and keep your hands off physical scrubs for a while. Avoid washing your face in the scalding hot water while bathing; instead, step out and wash (and do your skincare routine) after you're done with the shower. Also, we cannot stress this enough, avoid the temptation to overwash your face if you’re getting breakouts. Winter acne is a result of dry skin conditions, not oily!
BB picks: Simple Kind To Skin Micellar Cleansing Water
02. Use the right kind of moisturiser
It is important to seal moisture into your skin to better protect it from external aggressors during the winter season. Hydrated skin will also keep cold-triggered inflammation under control. But if your skin is acne-prone, you will have to take this a step further and opt for lightweight, oil-free formulas that won’t congest your skin and lead to bumps and breakouts. Apply your daily moisturiser on damp skin right after washing your face to lock in the moisture effectively.
BB picks: Dermalogica Calm Water Gel Moisturiser
03. Avoid touching your face too much
Do you know that lovely hand cream by your work desk that you keep reaching for to get rid of dry, wrinkly hands? Yes, they are formulated with heavy oils, which when transferred to your skin serves as the perfect recipe for disaster for acne-prone skin. Not to mention, the bacteria that is thriving on your hands… do not have them infect your already compromised and weakened skin due to the cold weather.
04. Add the right acne-fighting ingredients in your routine
As mentioned before, winter acne cannot be dealt with drying ingredients - they will irritate your breakouts further. You have to use balancing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, to keep up the moisture levels of your skin. Salicylic acid, a popular acne-fighting ingredient, is also capable of dealing with breakouts without drying-out your face.
Written by Sumona Bose on Nov 13, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!