The changing of the seasons can be a tumultuous time for your skin. As we exchange the swimsuits of summer for the blankets of winter, your skin may feel tight or dry, and acne may be worse than usual. This might have you wondering, "Does weather affect acne?"
There’s little you can do to ward off the changes in the, but you can give your skin the support it needs to counter seasonal acne.
Why does your skin change from season to season?
Your skin does well with consistency. Whether it’s changes in your skincare routine or changes in the weather, change can cause negative reactions and hinder your results.
From warm to cold weather
During the shift from summer to fall, temperature and humidity drop. This means your skin, which was used to a certain level of hydration in the atmosphere, suddenly must struggle to maintain the proper hydration its protective moisture barrier needs. The dryness is exacerbated by chilly winds. You may develop puffiness, cracks and even flaking. As your skin overproduces oil to keep up its hydration during dry times, you may experience winter acne.
It’s not just the temperature changes that contribute to winter acne and irritation. As the seasons shift, so does your behavior. Warmer showers and running the heat in your home can further zap your skin of moisture, which can lead to winter bacne – it’s important not to forget those hard-to-reach places that produce lots of oil like your upper back.
From cold to warm weather
During the transition to warmer weather, your skin adapts to increased humidity. Does humidity cause acne? No, but heat-related acne is a thing. Humid air traps oil on the surface of your skin, which creates a hot environment on your skin where acne-causing bacteria can thrive.
How to take care of your skin during seasonal transitions
When countering acne and the irritation that comes from changes in the seasons, it’s important to adjust a few hygiene habits and make sure to include a few key products in your skincare routine.
Try to limit your showers to five minutes during the less humid seasonal transitions (summer to fall and fall to winter) and avoid very hot water. Make sure to apply your moisturizer shortly after exiting the shower to seal in the moisture. The Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer in the ProactivMD® 3-Piece System absorbs quickly to fight dryness, smooth and soften your skin, and restore your moisture barrier.
Even in the summer, when your skin is producing more oil, you should never skip the moisturizer. The Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer is built with mattifying elements that absorb excess oil and prevent a greasy look.
As the weather gets more humid, focus on a cleanser that will help wash away excess oil. The Ultra-Gentle Cleanser in the ProactivMD 3-Piece System is a great choice because it’s balanced to remove the unwanted debris and impurities without stripping your skin of essential moisture.
And of course, always apply sunscreen. Forgetting to apply sunscreen can lead to irritation and dryness, which can make your skin more likely to overproduce oil.
The bottom line
In reality, all weather can be thought of as acne weather. But you can give your unique skin what it needs to respond to seasonal changes with the proactiv® acne treatment system that’s right for you.
