Ask someone to describe their skin during the winter and they will probably use terms like ‘ dehydrated ’ ‘ flaky ’ or ‘ blotchy ’, but what might be surprising is that , for many , the opposite is closer to the truth . Welcome to the season of winter breakouts . Let ’ s get one thing straight . Congested , pimply and angry skin cannot be attributed to one season . Experts have made that mistake in the past by declaring summer the ‘ worst time of year for problematic skin ’ - problematic skin will break out whatever the weather . However ,
Your skin has no idea how to behave , sending oil production into overdrive
one thing that we have noticed is that nobody talks about how to deal with unwanted breakouts during the winter ; a season usually reserved for the complaints of dry skins . The predominant problem oily skin has during the winter is the constant change in environment ; it goes from warm and cosy inside your house every morning to freezing cold when you venture outside back to warm again when you reach the office , with this cycle continuing day after day . This means your skin has no idea how to behave , sending oil production into overdrive to combat the lack of natural moisture in the atmosphere , while your body gradually gets flooded with stress hormones ; brought on by an unachievable Christmas shopping budget , navigating a snow-dusted commute and running out of appropriate knitwear before the cold snap has really kicked in . When this combination of excessive sebum production joins forces with heightened stress levels and other skin aggravators like lack of sleep and bacteria ( found in , of all places , your favourite scarf that is permanently attached to your neck during the winter ) it leads to a complexion constantly blighted by blackheads , pimples and angry redness . Firstly , don ’ t reach for that extra strength blemish treatment – it will only dry your skin out more and ensure sebum production stays on high alert , resulting in nothing but more blemishes . Secondly , don ’ t think that dehydration equals dryness and switch your moisturiser for something thick , rich and intensely hydrating . Your skin will freak out , the pores will become blocked and irritation will increase , making your skin even more difficult to manage . Instead , keep things simple . Use a gentle cleanser to keep the skin balanced and introduce a mild AHA-based exfoliator twice a week to prevent cell build-up within the pores . Your skin will still need moisture so to keep it properly hydrated without overwhelming it , use a lightweight , non-comedogenic moisturiser that contains grease-free thirst-quenchers like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E . You will also need to be more selective when it comes to treating the actual breakout . If your skin develops blemishes in small , concentrated clusters on the chin or around the nose then use targeted products to combat the affected area using ingredients like Salicylic Acid , Witch Hazel and Tea Tree Oil , to clear up the skin without subjecting your entire complexion to their potentially dehydrating side effects . For those unlucky enough to have to battle a full face of pimples , keep the skin as healthy as possible while still addressing the issue head on by adopting a three-pronged attack : use a balancing toner after cleansing , invest in a clarifying overnight treatment and apply a
Keep skin as healthy as possible while still addressing the issue head on
decongesting face mask a couple of times a week , to heal and repair the skin without destroying its lipid barrier . Following a controlled routine like this for a month or two will help to get your skin back on the right track , soothing redness and easing uncomfortable congestion , so you can get back to more important things like celebrating the festive period with your loved ones .
Now , where ’ s the mulled wine ?
ISSUE # 02 | WINTER 2016 | SkinHealthMagazine . com 15