The winter is great for many things; snowy days, cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa, lighting a fire, and (naturally) the holiday season. However, it’s not as great for other things… like your skin. Between cold spells, biting windy days, and the dry air, this season brings a wealth of skin challenges with it -- one of those being acne. So if you’re suffering from a sudden onslaught of pesky breakouts, read on because we’ll give you the tools you need to prevent them.
What causes acne in the winter?
Most of us associate acne with oily skin, sweat, and humidity, yet wintertime acne is more common than you may think! In fact, in one study it was concluded that participants who had clearer skin in the fall, experienced an increase in acne come winter.
The reason for this stems from transepidermal water loss (TEWL). In layman’s terms, this is the way your skin loses moisture over time to its surrounding environment. In the summer and fall months there is plenty of moisture in the air, so your skin is able to retain most of its moisture. Come winter, however, this all changes. Suddenly, your skin is met with an environment that’s extremely low in moisture. The result? The dry air pulls whatever moisture you have in your skin right out of you! *Cue the dramatic music*.
In an effort to help this sudden loss of moisture, your body begins to overproduce sebum (yes, oil.) This oh-so-lovely reaction lends itself to clogged pores, thereby producing -- you guessed it -- acne.
Here’s how to fight against the cold weather woes!
Now that we’ve gone through the “why” of wintertime acne, let’s review how you can take steps to restore the balance (and peace) all season long.
Switch Out Your Cleanser
If you’re using a foam cleanser or anything that can strip the skin of essential oils, it’s time to stop. Aim to find cleansers that will support your skin’s mantle and keep you hydrated.
Two of the best cleanser types to look into are cleansing balms and cleansing oils. Most of the time, these will have nourishing, skin-supportive ingredients that deeply clean while they deeply restore your complexion. After each use, instead of feeling tightness or discomfort, common with certain cleansers during winter, you’ll feel moisturized and smooth.
Start Using Targeted Face Oils
A good moisturizer will only get you so far. The real help comes from restorative and protective face oils. There are myriad oils on the market that each work to cater to your skin’s specific needs. This is great for targeted care. Especially when the winter months strike.
What’s more, face oils act as emollients (softens the skin) to seal in moisture to protect the skin from water loss. This is key when trying to slow down TEWL.
Our 03 Midnight In Corsica Face Oil, for instance, has Sacha Inchi Oil which contains a high level of omega fatty acids that work to moisturize the skin and protect it against harsh weather (i.e; the cold.)
Load Up On Water
The best way to keep your skin hydrated? Keep your body hydrated! It may go without saying, but many of us still tend to forget water is vital to keeping a clear complexion.
Our skin contains 64% water, so keeping it hydrated helps to maintain the balance.
What’s more, in studies, it’s been shown that the increase of water intake helps to rid the body of toxins, improve skin density and thickness, and increase blood flow to the skin.
In keeping the skin’s system running healthily, you help to scare off any overproduction of sebum lending itself to a not-so-awesome breakout.
Use Hydrating Face Masks
Another way to combat dry, dehydrated skin and get your clear, dewy complexion back is through the use of a hydrating face mask.
Using masks that help to boost cellular hydration, provide needed vitamins to the skin for nourishment and restore the balance to the skin’s mantle is a great defense against wintertime woes.
Our 06 Royal Jelly & Enzymes Hydrating Mask is loaded up with antioxidants giving it an eh, rather royal, ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) rating. Simply put, it keeps your skin hydrated and looking youthful (sans the acne).
With that, we set you off on a mission to fight against winter breakouts! Do you feel prepared? We hope so. We have endless faith in your ability to kick dry skin and the overproduction of oil to the curb! Go on, we’re rooting for you!
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