Cold weather, dry air, indoor heating and layers of clothing can cause skin irritation during winter. The harsher winter gets, the more moisture your skin loses. Adding acne care products and medicines to the mix, you get additional dryness which leads to dry, itchy, flaky and peeling skin. Ensuring optimum moisture in the skin is the key to handling acne-prone skin during winter, says Dr. Pavithra. You do not have to compromise on your acne treatment to ensure smooth skin, she adds. Here is what the expert suggests to handle acne-prone skin during winter.
1. Use water-based moisturizer
You need to trap moisture in your skin to keep dryness at bay and yes even if you have acne-prone skin. You do not need to be afraid of moisturizers, however, make sure you use a water-based moisturizer. Also, apply the moisturizer at least -3 times a day. Your goal is to fight tight, dry, flaking and peeling skin.
2. Pay attention to your facewash
Using facewash is a must to control acne. However, if you are using a Salicylic acid-based facewash, limit the use. Use a salicylic acid face wash only once a day to avoid complications, says Dr. Pavithra. You must focus on cleaning the excess oil out of the skin but now making it parched or chapped. If you are already feeling dry on your skin, limit rinsing it more than once a day.
3. Keep sunscreen handy
Even if the mercury has dropped, the sun shines bright and harsh during winter days. It is important to protect your skin from the harsh sun rays which can be efficiently done by applying sunscreen to your skin. Before you step out in the sun, apply a generous quote of sunscreen. Using a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of at least 30 is recommended.
4. Use gentle sheets and pillowcases
When you rub your face against harsh surfaces, it increases the dryness, making acne worse. You must use soft pillowcases. Moreover, pillowcases and sheets collect excess oil from your hair and skin which can exaggerate acne and cause discomfort. Use cotton-based pillowcases to avoid complications.
These are some of the recommended ways by Dr. Pavithra to combat acne-prone skin during winter. You need to ensure that you take the right measures to avoid acne and harsh winter conditions affecting your skin at the same time.
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