Category: Lifestyle | 2-Minute Read
Skin Breakouts
Hi All,
I hope you are well and keeping safe!
As the weather changes and we move into the colder months, you may find that all of a sudden you are getting breakouts, or that your skin in general is feeling different, possibly drier… I certainly am. There are many reasons for this and the weather can sometimes play a big part in how your skin looks and feels.
Every year for as long as I can remember, this time of the year causes me to breakout regardless of what I do!
Whilst I have accepted that there are times when I cannot control my breakouts, below are a few things that I do to help minimise the breakouts and keep my skin feeling great during these colder months… [1] [2].
1. It's Too Cold! Turn The Heat Up… But Not Too Much…
The cold weather plus central heating can be harsh on your skin, which can lead to breakouts and your skin becoming more sensitive [3].
As the weather is getting colder, it is important to make sure we are staying warm. Instead of turning up the heaters to their max, I tend to layer up, drink more hot drinks especially those containing ginger and lemon (not only are they healthy ingredients, they have the added benefit of having natural antioxidants) and eat lots of warm homemade food… soups are a favourite, especially ones loaded with lots of vegetables [4]. This ensures that I am staying warm, but also keeping the zits away.
In addition, having a hot shower can lead to your skin becoming dry and irritated. Whatever the temperature…, it is important to moisturise your skin with your favourite creams to avoid irritation on your skin.
When it comes to washing my face, once I have cleansed, I like to splash some cold water over my face a few times to help close the pores.
2. Tweak Those Skincare Products
So you may be using products suitable for your skin, however as the weather starts to change, it may be that you might need to tweak the products you are using, to make them suitable for the current weather.
Around autumn, I tend to add a moisturiser that is a little richer to ensure my skin doesn’t get dry.
For me, it’s important not to waste products, so in general, I like to keep the same core products, only making adjustments when required.
3. Are You Using Your Skincare Products Correctly?
The order you put the products on your skin is very important. When I started using Dermaquest medical-grade products. I made it a priority to discuss with my skincare advisor the best order in which to apply my products in the morning and evening, how much of the product I should use at each use and how long to leave it to soak into my skin before applying the next product.
Medical grade skin care products don’t come cheap and discussing with a skincare professional how to use them effectively, will no doubt go a long way to helping give you the best results.
4. Kiss Goodbye To Those Chapped Lips!
In the colder months, lips can get very dry and chapped, which can feel very uncomfortable. This can lead to picking, blistering and bleeding which let’s face it … we all want to avoid! For me, I tend to have dry lips all year round! So making sure I always have a lip balm in my handbag is a priority. When my lips are smooth… I tend to pick at them less! At the moment, I’m loving the Carmax range.
5. Hats + Scarf + Mask = Acne?
As the weather is getting colder, the hats and scarves are migrating out of the depths of my cupboards and this year especially, many of us are getting used to wearing facemasks. I have noticed on a few occasions in the past, that my hat, scarf or mask, could all equally be the culprit and may be the cause of my acne, as there is added rubbing of the skin [5]. To avoid this, I have been regularly washing everything that touches my face, helping to reduce the spread of bacteria on my face.
Whilst the above has helped me to minimise the appearance of my acne during the colder months, it might not be suitable for, or help everyone. One of the many lessons I learned about my skin is that is it so important to speak to the right person to ensure you are getting the right care for your particular skin type. When I spoke to a medical practitioner about my acne, I immediately felt at ease and knew I was in safe hands. Speaking to the right person means you will receive bespoke and effective skincare advice!
Have a great day!
Punam
References
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26449379
Engebretsen KA, Johansen JD, Kezic S, Linneberg A, Thyssen JP. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Feb;30(2):223-49. doi: 10.1111/jdv.13301. Epub 2015 Oct 8. PMID: 26449379.
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26091385/
Meyer K, Pappas A, Dunn K, Cula GO, Seo I, Ruvolo E, Batchvarova N. Evaluation of Seasonal Changes in Facial Skin With and Without Acne. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015 Jun;14(6):593-601. PMID: 26091385.
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17986305/
Saint-Martory C, Roguedas-Contios AM, Sibaud V, Degouy A, Schmitt AM, Misery L. Sensitive skin is not limited to the face. Br J Dermatol. 2008 Jan;158(1):130-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08280.x. Epub 2007 Nov 6. PMID: 17986305.
[4] Dietary influence on pain via the immune system – PubMed (nih.gov)
Totsch SK, Waite ME, Sorge RE. Dietary influence on pain via the immune system. Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2015;131:435-69. doi: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2014.11.013. Epub 2015 Jan 30. PMID: 25744682.
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/123732/
Mills OH Jr, Kligman A. Acne mechanica. Arch Dermatol. 1975 Apr;111(4):481-3. PMID: 123732.
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