How To Stop Acne In The Wintertime

The holiday season brings so many festivities, but the truth of the matter is that the cold weather can aggravate and increase pimples. Like any season, skin care routines need to change with the outdoor temperatures. And this includes acne treatments.

The increase of sebum promotes pimples and flare-ups. But since the cool winter weather combined with the heated indoors jumpstarts dry skin, more dead skin cells and debris will clog pores. And as all acne sufferers know, clogged pores means more pimple breakouts.

Below are some tips to help deal with the challenges wintertime can bring and how to stop acne. If under a healthcare provider’s treatment, do discuss these simple steps with them beforehand.

Cleanser:
A good cleanser is the first step towards an acne treatment. Since some acne cleansers tend to dry out the skin, using that same product in the wintertime can make skin conditions worse. In fact, if after a wash skin feels tight, it’s a sure bet the cleanser is too harsh. For example, cleansers packed with high percentages of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide may really be irritating at this time. If possible, seek out a soap-free cleanser for sensitive and normal to dry skin.

Look for soap-free ingredients which hydrate even the driest of skin.

Moisturizer:
Don’t shy away from moisturizers thinking that it will cause breakouts. There are oil-free moisturizers out there that work well with acne-prone skin. There are many to choose from that are not greasy. Also look for noncomedogenic formulas which help keep pores clear.

Also, ingredients like dimethicone and glycerin hydrate and calm the skin.

Topical Acne Treatments:
Many topical acne treatments out there may promote dry and flaky skin. Check with a skin care professional on simple ideas on the best ways to limit these formulas while still getting the most out of them. Some might suggest using the product every other day or a couple times a week during the winter season.

While At Home:
Keep temperatures inside the home not too warm to avoid dry skin. Also, drink plenty of water to keep skin hydrated.
If drinking a room temperature glass of water on a cold winter day doesn’t sound appealing, then go ahead and pour a cup of decaffeinated tea instead.

Many have often heard that a humidifier running in the bedroom at night is a good idea. And it really is. This will hydrate skin and ward off extra dryness. If possible, place humidifiers in other parts of the home, too.

Although sitting close to a warm fireplace may sound like a perfect spot to claim, keep some distance. Unfortunately, sitting too close to a crackling fire can clog pores.

Some skin care professionals suggest opening up the windows to a home for about 5 to 10 first thing in the morning. The fresh air actually hydrates the stale heated air in the atmosphere. Depending on the temperature outside, bundling up may be in order for a bit.

So every time the seasons change, so must those skin care routines to keep looking great.