As the weather continues to change, you may find it increasingly more difficult to take care of your skin. More specifically, acne breakouts go from few and far between to a regular occurrence.
While no two people are the same, the cause of winter time acne is often one of the following:
· Cold air: Since cold air leads to less moisture, it increases the risk of an acne breakout. This is the result of oil glands producing extra sebum in an attempt to keep your skin hydrated.
· Hot showers: There’s no better feeling than a hot shower on a cold winter day. Unfortunately, this can dry out your skin in no time. And when that happens, the risk of an acne breakout is much greater.
· Lack of moisturizer: As noted above, dry skin can cause acne during the winter months.
So, the best way to protect against this is with a moisturizer. Just make sure you’re using the right kind, as using one that’s full of harsh chemicals can clog your pores and enhance the risk of a breakout.
You may be surprised to find that a few changes to your daily regimen can reduce the number of acne breakouts you experience this winter. Once you find an approach that works, stick with it until the weather begins to warm up once again.
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.