The extreme poles of the year are major turning points for skincare aesthetics, as it is often the time when people seek out professional intervention and more powerful products the most.
One of the biggest examples of a skincare problem that flares up when the weather is at its most extreme is in the form of acne.
In exceptionally hot, humid summer weather, the body produces more sweat and sebum (an oily substance that stops your skin and hair from drying out) to compensate, which can lead to blocked pores and breakouts.
In frozen winters with less humidity in the air, your skin gets much drier than usual and your face’s T-zone will produce sebum at a higher rate to compensate, which can lead to blocked pores and breakouts.
If you are prone to spots, it can feel like a no-win situation, but there are ways to take care of your skin to reduce the risk of larger breakouts, and there are plenty of in-clinic treatments such as resurfacing and laser treatments to help handle acne scarring.
One step, particularly controllable in winter, is to reduce the effects of heating systems and hot showers that can dry out your skin barrier. Probably the worst offender for this is hot baths and showers, which strip away the skin’s protective moisture layers as well as dry out your skin further.
As well as this, base your skincare routine around your skin type. You do not necessarily have to start layering a lot of different products, but make sure that if you have oily skin prone to breakouts you use a cleanser which uses active ingredients with that in mind.
Similarly, if you have a regular exfoliation routine, reduce its intensity as it often causes the same problem.
Retaining moisture is key, even if that may feel paradoxical compared to the waxy feel of sebum on the skin.