Three Ways Winter Can Increase Acne Breakouts

Have you ever noticed that, often, your acne breakouts become more severe in the winter? It’s not just you! No matter what acne treatment products you’re using, if you live in a part of the world where winter means drier air, colder temperatures, and inclement weather, you may have a more difficult time controlling your acne-prone skin December through March. Why is that? There are a number of ways winter can wreak havoc on acne-prone skin—here are three to look out for.

Problem: Drier Winter Air Can Mean More Clogged Pores
Acne Treatment Solution: Be Sure to Exfoliate!
When the air is dry, your skin is dry as well. You may not notice this if you have acne-prone skin because your skin will remain oily and soft. However, in reality there’s an unavoidable increase in dead and dry skin cells on the surface of your skin. Combined with the extra skin cells in your hair follicles that already cause blemishes, this extra-dry and often irritated skin can lead to breakouts. How can you minimize this winter acne issue? Use an acne skin cleanser that also exfoliates. Because your skin is acne-prone, it’s important that you use a cleanser that relies on Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids (AHAs and BHAs) to exfoliate both on the surface and beneath the surface of your skin. A textured exfoliating cleanser may irritate your already dry skin or even clog pores for more acne breakouts.

Problem: Winter Diets Are Not Always Healthy
Acne Treatment Solution: Adopt an Acne Diet Plan
What you eat and drink absolutely has an impact on the health of your skin. In addition to spending less time being active, the holiday season means an influx of unhealthy foods into our diet. While it’s a myth that eating French fries or a chocolate bar will cause an instant acne breakout, eating an unhealthy diet makes your body less healthy. Because your skin is your body’s biggest organ, when your body is unhealthy your skin is unhealthy. Making responsible decisions about keeping a diet rich in fruits and vegetables throughout the winter as well as both eating and drinking your water daily can help ensure that your skin (and your body) stays healthy until spring arrives.

Problem: Sweaters and Winter Clothes Can Create Back Acne Breakouts
Solution: Adopt a Back Acne Treatment Regimen
In the summer when it’s warm, most of us adopt clothing that allows the skin on our back to breathe. However, in the winter, heavy sweaters and layers of clothing can trap dirt and oil against the skin of your back. This can lead to an increase in back acne breakouts. Whether winter means the first appearance of back acne or a worsening of occasional breakouts on your back, a back acne treatment plan can keep your skin clear no matter how many layers of clothing you’re wearing. Murad Acne Body Wash and Murad Clarifying Body Spray can exfoliate away dead, dry cells as well as dirt and oil that will clog pores. The powerful acne medication Salicylic Acid increases cell turnover beneath the surface and fights acne-causing bacteria. Don’t let winter clothing mean back and body acne breakouts.

Winter can be hard on your skin. It’s often overlooked that winter weather can increase acne breakouts as well. However, using acne products and making better diet and lifestyle choices can keep your skin healthy in any season.