Acne breakouts can occur in any season, and the winter can be an especially bad time for some people battling breakouts because winter conditions can be very harsh to the skin. If you struggle with staying acne free during the winter, here are some helpful tips to keep your skin clear through the winter months.
Dry Skin Leads to Breakouts
One of the primary causes of breakouts in the winter is dry skin. In cold climates, the air becomes very dry during the winter and quickly saps the moisture out of your skin. It may seem counter intuitive, but dry skin can quickly become overly oily because the oil glands in the skin produce more oil to compensate for dryness. Between the irritation of dry skin, and dry skin producing too much oil, it’s easy to see how acne can develop during the winter.
Many people make the mistake of treating their skin too harshly in the winter months. To compensate for dry skin, they will go overboard on skin treatments, such as using too much moisturizer or too heavy of a moisturizer. This can also cause acne breakouts because the skin is not really clean or because it reacts to the products used on it.
Gentle Treatments Best for Acne Prevention
Instead of treating your face too harshly – washing it too often or using too much moisturizer – gentle skin treatments are the best way to keep skin healthy and clear during the winter. A simple skin care routine that includes a gentle cleanser is the best way to keep skin from breaking out. Avoid products with abrasive ingredients that can irritate the skin and actually make it easier for bacteria to get into the skin and cause breakouts. Also avoid touching or scratching the skin to prevent irritation and the spread of bacteria and skin oils.
Using a good moisturizer will help to keep your skin oils balanced and prevent the overproduction of oil, which can also provoke acne. Look for moisturizing products with simple ingredient lists, so you aren’t putting lots of extra