Recommended Winter Acne Solutions: Dermatologist advised
Winter acne can be further exacerbated by using acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids. These ingredients tend to be drier and more sensitive on the skin, leaving it more vulnerable to skin conditions and unwanted effects. Though every skincare user should adjust their routines for seasonal changes, this can sometimes be even more essential for people who struggle with acne in the winter.
Thankfully, for most people affected, acne breakouts are temporary and there are several resources available in the modern skincare industry to combat these issues, particularly seasonal conditions that may worsen depending on the time of year.
Staying hydrated in the winter is of utmost importance, as your skin is constantly losing moisture and dehydration can cause other symptoms, such as aging signs. Make sure you are drinking enough water in the drier months to ensure your skin is retaining as much moisture as possible.
- Keep Up With a Skincare Routine
In terms of skincare products, gentle cleansers and exfoliators, as well as oil-free moisturizers, are all great additions to any medicine cabinet. Mild products with humectant ingredients (hyaluronic acid, glycerin) and even certain retinol products can help with clearing up the skin during breakouts.
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin, in particular, naturally attract water, further assisting in keeping the skin balanced and healthy. By utilizing these types of products on your skin daily, you will leave your skin better equipped to fight against the dry air and other external factors that can damage the skin during our daily lives.
Ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are often found in cleansers and other skin care products that are formulated to fight acne. While these ingredients help break down oils that clog pores, they can also strip away moisture. During the wintertime, use these products sparingly. If you have an active breakout, switch to spot treatments and apply a small amount directly to blemishes rather than treating the entire face or areas where you are not experiencing a breakout.
Given that our skin is naturally stressed while battling the colder temperatures, focusing on mental health and stress intake could not be more important in the winter. Consider incorporating more physical activity and exercise into your daily routine, even if for twenty to thirty minutes. Other practices, such as yoga and meditation, have also been found to help those with chronic skin conditions. It may not seem like it, but your body will be thanking you for any amount of stress hormones you are ridding the body of acting upon.
- Protect Your Skin in Adverse Conditions
When venturing outside, layering up is an extra step you can take not only to stay warm but to keep your skin protected as well. If your skin isn’t able to react to the cold weather by being covered by a hat, scarf, or other winter accessories, this will keep more moisture locked in throughout the day.