How to Beat Acne in Winter
From chapped lips, flaky skin to dry scalp, we’ve got enough beauty woes to worry about in the winter. Don’t let acne be one of them!
When you see a pimple forming, your first thought might be to zap it with whatever harsh acne treatments you have to dry it out. But this method is a no-no, especially during winter. The cold weather is already stripping your protective moisture barrier, making it easier for acne-causing bacteria to wreck havoc on your skin. Any harsh treatments will only exacerbate the problem, and cause further breakouts.
So, how should you actually combat those pesky pimples in winter?
1. Swap to a Gentle Cleanser
First things first, put away those high pH, salicylic acid cleansers! They’re great to get rid of excess sebum during summer, but will only irritate your skin during drier seasons. Opt for a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural moisture, like the Neogen Dermalogy Green Tea Real Fresh Cleansing Stick, which deeply cleanses your skin as it hydrates.
2. Korean Exfoliating Toners are Your New Best Friend
Unlike most alcohol-laden toners, Korean exfoliating toners are a step above the rest because it can get rid of acne without drying out the skin. For stubborn acne that just won’t go away, try the Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner, which helps fight acne-causing bacteria, exfoliate dead skin cells and impurities from the skin, but is still gentle enough to be used everyday.
3. Choose Non-drying Acne Treatments
Conventional acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin and salicylic acid are way too harsh for winter. Look out for gentler acne-fighting ingredients like centella asiatica, honey and poly-hydroxy acid, which help hydrate your skin as they calm down acne inflammation.
Check out our range of spot treatments here.
4. Don’t be Afraid to Use a Moisturiser
Many still believe that moisturisers only make the skin more oily, which can then lead to more breakouts. That may be true for a lot of heavy, occlusive creams, but lightweight moisturisers like the Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream or Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion give the skin the appropriate amount of hydration without making it oilier. They also help treat existing acne, while preventing your skin from further breakouts!
5. Get Your Skin Care Routine Right
Yes, we’re talking about double cleansing, exfoliating and all the shebang. Don’t expect to find that one miracle spot treatment that gives your clear skin forever, because it takes a whole routine to get rid of acne and maintain healthy skin. While being consistent to the right routine is key, eating right and working out regularly is also a good start!
If you are new to K-Beauty, check out some of our best acne-fighting products here.
Do you have any other tips to beating acne during winter? Share your experience with us!
