What’s Up With Winter Breakouts?

It seems natural that breakouts may occur in the summertime when sweat is more prevalent and clogging up pores. So why do some people still experience breakouts in the wintertime? It’s not just because you’re breaking a sweat trying to get the PATHon time while wearing five layers of clothing. According to Lauren BenMeir, our skin is actually trying to counterbalance itself. When the skin is dried out from harsh winter winds and forced heat indoors, the body tries to counteract that dryness by producing more oil to protect the epidermis. The downside of this is that it can result in clogged pores. So how do we fix this?

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Yes, it’s true, water is one of the best things for our bodies, and that includes our skin.AllaShaprio owner ofWoodhouseDaySpa, says to “hydrate from the inside out.” We tend to be more dehydrated in the winter, so making sure to drink a sufficient amount of water is key, and our skin will thank us. Add that to the list of reasons to get a cute new reusable water bottle.

Build Up Your Skin’s Natural Barrier

Lauren BenMeir’s first line of defense against wintertime skin irritation is using serums that build up the skin’s natural barrier. Our skin is equipped with what it needs to survive and thrive, and sometimes just boosting that natural ability works wonders. Lauren suggests looking for products that speak to the benefit of building up the barrier of the skin. This will make your skin less red, dry, and itchy — which leads to breakouts — in harsher environments. You can find great options of creams and lotions that do this in drug stores, or more expensive options in department stores.

Use a Good Gentle Wash

It’s important to make sure face wash is not too harsh, as it may not have the desired effect. Some face washes even have oils in them that will help counteract dryness. Alla Shapiro recommends using oil-based or creamy cleansers instead of foamy or gel-based ones. Her favorite products for this include Barbor Hy OI Cleansing System or Skinceuticals gentle cleanser.