If you suffer from winter acne, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people find that when the cold weather hits, so do outbreaks of spots, pustules, blemishes, and painful acne.

So, what causes acne in winter, and what can you do about it?

Dry, Cracked, Infection-Prone Skin

One of the main contributors to winter acne is dry, cracked skin that is more susceptible to infection. This can result from cold, windy weather, central heating, and simple dehydration as people forget to drink water when they’re not feeling hot and sweaty. Dry skin can lead to clogged pores that then increase the risk of infection with Propionibacterium acnes (the bacterium that causes acne).

Seasonal Skin-Care – Winter acne

Winter weather and bundled up conditions can also lead to exacerbation of other skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as rosacea, and even dermatitis. Seasonal acne and other periodic skin issues may be related not only to the weather, but to our response to changing conditions. Essentially, the way we treat our skin in summer might not be all that helpful in winter, and vice versa.

Humidity and Moisturising

Winter skin care to relieve acne might include the use of a humidifier to add moisture to the air at home, especially while you sleep. It’s also a good idea to use a moisturiser as soon as you have dried off after a bath or shower, so as to seal in moisture and encourage better skin hydration. Dry skin can cause the body to overcompensate by dramatically increasing oil production, leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

Applying a good moisturiser at night (something like coconut oil or jojoba oil) can help avoid shiny skin during the day, while still feeding the skin as you sleep. As oil residues can build up on your pillowcases and lead to bacterial build-up, it is recommended to change pillowcases every couple of days. This is also a good idea in summer, especially for those who sweat a lot at night.

There are lots of other causes of acne in winter, including dietary changes, the use of make-up, lack of exercise, and even repeated use of the same old winter toque! Read on to find out how to eat to beat winter acne!