Did you think acne only breaks out in the summer? Are you surprised why you have to deal with acne even in winters? Well, there can be many possible reasons to have acne problem even in winter. 

Firstly, you know that winter is the driest season of the year. With less or minimum moisture in the air, the skin too is itchy, dry or flaky. Your skin tends to act up and produce more sebum, a type of oil secreted by the skin to keep it moist and supple. Colder the weather, the more sebum your skin will produce, leading to increased clogged pores and breakouts. This is why even though your skin appears to be clear in the winters, you still might have blemishes and acne to deal with. 

Other top reasons for winter acne include:

  • Frequently touching your face with hands: Touching your face with those heavy hand and oily creams in winter is a definite cause for acne.
  • Long, hot showers: Dry skin causes 50% of the acne. Taking long, hot showers in winter rips your skin of its natural moisture, causing increased dryness and thus results in acne.
  • Using the wrong moisturizer: To combat itchy and flaky skin, you may end up over-moisturizing or using the wrong moisturizer (one that does not suit your skin type!) which may cause bumps and breakouts.

Tips to treat and prevent winter acne:

Include these five tips in your winter skincare routine to make sure your skin is acne-proof and ready for winters.

1. Stay Hydrated

So, the main reason why acne is bothering you in winter is less consumption of water. Our skin becomes dry because of the cold winter weather. Please ensure that you drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and to flush out the toxins.

2. Keep your face clean

The one thing that you need to take care of is to use a face cleanser which doesn’t dry out your skin and rather hydrates it. The moist winter air can easily clog your pores with various pollutants. Cleansing and exfoliating are necessary for facial hygiene. However, do not over clean. Excess washing and cleansing will again cause the skin to dry out.

Also, remember to keep your hands off your face, especially if you have acne-prone skin. 

3. Moisturize, Moisturize and Moisturize

Yes, we can’t emphasize enough on how important it is to keep your skin moisturized in winter. A common mistake most people do is to use a moisturizer which is oil based. If you have an oily skin, you should prefer using water-based moisturizer or a facial gel. However, having an oily skin doesn’t mean you can skip the moisturizing part. We suggest using facials or face packs which deeply nourish your skin. Fresh fruit packs are also good for all skin types.

4. Avoid too much Exfoliation

Of course, you need to exfoliate your skin in winter as well but excessive exfoliation can drain the essential oils from your skin and make it dry. Too much dryness can be a reason for winter breakouts.

5. Exercise and Rejuvenate

Just because it’s winter, you can’t skip your morning routine. It might seem to be a great effort to wake and go for a walk in the cold outside, so what? You can exercise indoors, maybe you can do yoga or dance. However, staying indoors all the time isn’t advisable because if you take in refreshing morning air it will rejuvenate your skin and keep winter breakouts away from you.

What not to do:

Small things/changes make all the difference.

  • Do not take long hot showers; you can rather use lukewarm water for a quick bath.
  • Do not use oily cosmetics or skin care products.
  • Strong perfumes or products with pungent fragrances shall be avoided as it can cause skin irritation.
  • Do not pick on acne.We understand that dealing with winter skin is tough, but with regular and disciplined care, you can achieve healthy and glowing skin. Despite the above remedies, if you continue to have severe winter acne, visit a dermatologist immediately.