The recent drop in temperature doesn’t just mean having to remember to grab your hat on the way out, it might also be a reminder to take better care of your skin to avoid dreaded winter acne breakouts.
Some people – or 11 per cent, to be precise – claim they become more prone to spots during the colder months.
One of the main reasons for this is due to lower levels of moisture in the air, which, together with the use of indoor heating systems and hot showers, dries out the skin.
As a result of this, your skin reacts by producing more sebum, which can clog up pores. Additionally, the lack of moisture in the skin makes it easier for spots and sebum to become infected with bacteria.
According to Dr Ariella Nagler from New York University’s Langone Health: “The cold and dryness that comes with cold temperatures can cause inflammation, which is one of the main pathogenic factors for acne formation.”
Another reason why people might break out more during winter is because of an increase in stress.
There is a lot going on this season, particularly over Christmastime, and many might worry about finances, seeing family, buying presents, not having enough time, their work-life balance, and having to socialise at parties.
So, if you find the winter period stressful, you might notice you have more spots during the season, thanks to the body producing more cortisol, and subsequently, higher levels of testosterone, which can cause acne.
Let’s not also forget that Christmas also means lots of food and alcohol for many people, and these are thought to have a big impact on skin. Booze is dehydrating, while a diet rich in carbs, dairy and sugar can increase testosterone levels more.
