Tackle acne this winter with these expert-approved skincare hacks
Common skincare mistakes is over-cleansing and not moisturising enough.
Attend to winter acne by knowing your skin type.
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For many, acne doesn't stick to any particular season.
Winter's cold and chilly air can have a major effect on skin. Whether you have oily, normal, dry or combination skin, breakouts can cause discomfort and can leave you feeling sensitive and insecure.
Eucerin dermatologist Dr Mamello Ntsele gives some insight into what causes acne breakouts in winter and how to control it.
How are we more prone to acne flare-ups in winter?
Acne can behave quite differently in winter because the skin is more prone to drying out. When the skin loses moisture, this can prompt the body to create more oil or sebum to compensate, which can cause clogged pores and, thus, breakouts.
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But it's not just the dry winter air that causes breakouts, physical health plays a role too.
Dr Mamello says, 'Dietary shifts in winter, when people tend to eat more comfort foods, can also contribute to breakouts as high-glycaemic foods are linked to more severe acne.'
Common winter skincare mistakes
Summer skincare routines won't cut it during the harsher, colder months. According to Dr Mamello, common skincare mistakes include over-cleansing, which strips the skin of its natural oils, using gel or foaming cleansers during dry seasons and not moisturising enough.
In winter, it's especially important to switch to richer creams with barrier-protecting and hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerine and hyaluronic acid. Another frequent oversight is skipping sunscreen, driven by the false belief that UV protection isn't necessary in colder months.
Know your skin type
Oily skin can break out more during the winter months because of dryer air. Combination skin types may also struggle, especially in the T-zone area - which is the forehead, nose and chin.
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Dr Mamello says, 'It's crucial to be aware of your skin requirements. So many factors like age, environment and routine play into the quality of your skin during wintertime. For example, teens generally have oilier skin and lightweight products are usually necessary even in winter.
'Men may also have acne flare-ups thanks to shaving and that may need to be taken into consideration. Hormonal acne can occur in young and perimenopausal women, and they may need hormonal therapy to get flare-ups under control.
'It's not about making your skin adapt, it's about adapting to your skin. Be conscious of your skin needs every day of the year.'
How to prioritise skincare and work with your skin
Maintaining a consistent beauty regimen is key to finding that winter glow. Dr Mamello points out the essential product application steps for effective skincare:
Step 1: Hydrating cleanser
Step 2: Hydrating serum
Step 3: Hydrating moisturiser
Step 4: Non-comedogenic moisturising sunscreen
Dr Mamello also recommends a gentle exfoliant.
'Exfoliation can be a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and prevent pores from getting clogged. However, it's important that this is done in a gentle and safe way.
'Exfoliation can be done once or twice a week depending on skin tolerance and should always be followed by the application of moisturisers,' she shares.
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Key Ingredients: Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Myristoyl nonapeptide-3, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-38, niacinamide, Nicotiana benthamiana hexapeptide-40 sh-oligopeptide-1, hyaluronic acid complex Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Myristoyl nonapeptide-3, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-38, niacinamide, Nicotiana benthamiana hexapeptide-40 sh-oligopeptide-1, hyaluronic acid complex Best For: Wrinkles, skin tone, hyperpigmentation Wrinkles, skin tone, hyperpigmentation Size: 0.5 oz Best for Radiance: Babor Collagen Peptide Booster Babor Collagen Peptide Booster Cream $170 NORDSTROM Why We Love It: 'This rich, nourishing cream is filled with peptides and amino acids to help support collagen production, repair and strengthen the skin barrier, and improve the skin's overall radiance,' says Dr. Saedi. 'Shea butter adds an extra boost of hydration, making it a nice, soothing choice for dry and aging skin types.' In fact, it's her night cream of choice— appreciating its spa-like scent—melding calming notes of orange, mint, rose, and cedar. 'This cream will give the skin a softer, more youthful glow,' she says. 'This rich, nourishing cream is filled with peptides and amino acids to help support collagen production, repair and strengthen the skin barrier, and improve the skin's overall radiance,' says Dr. Saedi. 'Shea butter adds an extra boost of hydration, making it a nice, soothing choice for dry and aging skin types.' In fact, it's her night cream of choice— appreciating its spa-like scent—melding calming notes of orange, mint, rose, and cedar. 'This cream will give the skin a softer, more youthful glow,' she says. Key Ingredients: Peptides, amino acids, shea butter Peptides, amino acids, shea butter Best For: Smoothness, firmness, hydration, elasticity Smoothness, firmness, hydration, elasticity Size: 1.7 oz Best for Redness: Derma E Skin Restore Advanced Peptides and Vegan Flora-Collagen Moisturizer Why We Love It: 'Preferable for dry and normal skin, this cream features several active ingredients that work in synergy to smooth, plump, and refresh the skin,' Aparovich says. Its peptides encourage collagen production, thus firming the skin and improving the appearance of wrinkles, she explains. Meanwhile, 'Vitamin E, vegetable glycerin, provitamin B5, and jojoba oil introduce a majorly moisturizing effect and help prevent transepidermal water loss,' she says. There are also botanical ingredients that soothe the skin while reducing redness, including green tea, chamomile, and witch hazel extracts. 'Preferable for dry and normal skin, this cream features several active ingredients that work in synergy to smooth, plump, and refresh the skin,' Aparovich says. Its peptides encourage collagen production, thus firming the skin and improving the appearance of wrinkles, she explains. Meanwhile, 'Vitamin E, vegetable glycerin, provitamin B5, and jojoba oil introduce a majorly moisturizing effect and help prevent transepidermal water loss,' she says. There are also botanical ingredients that soothe the skin while reducing redness, including green tea, chamomile, and witch hazel extracts. Key Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin E, vegetable glycerin, provitamin B5, jojoba oil Peptides, vitamin E, vegetable glycerin, provitamin B5, jojoba oil Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, plumping, hydration, redness, tone, texture Fine lines and wrinkles, plumping, hydration, redness, tone, texture Size: 2 oz Best for Inflammation: G.M. Collin Marine Collagen Revitalizing Cream G.M. Collin Marine Collagen Revitalizing Cream $112 AMAZON Why We Love It: 'The G.M. Collin Marine Collagen cream is a fantastic addition to any skin-care routine, especially for those looking to boost hydration and glow,' says Dr. Charles Puza, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. 'With both high- and low-molecular weight marine collagen, this cream is able to provide hydration to all of the skin—the low-weight reaches the deeper layers, while the high-weight marine collagen targets the more superficial layers.' He adds that the cream has thermos thermophillus ferment to support the skin microbiome and coral seaweed extract to gently exfoliate and calm inflammation. Overall, 'This packs an elegant hydration and anti-aging boost,' he says, He adding that the cream was clinically proven to decrease wrinkle volume, improve skin elasticity and texture, and increase hydration. 'The G.M. Collin Marine Collagen cream is a fantastic addition to any skin-care routine, especially for those looking to boost hydration and glow,' says Dr. Charles Puza, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. 'With both high- and low-molecular weight marine collagen, this cream is able to provide hydration to all of the skin—the low-weight reaches the deeper layers, while the high-weight marine collagen targets the more superficial layers.' He adds that the cream has thermos thermophillus ferment to support the skin microbiome and coral seaweed extract to gently exfoliate and calm inflammation. Overall, 'This packs an elegant hydration and anti-aging boost,' he says, adding that the cream was clinically proven to decrease wrinkle volume, improve skin elasticity and texture, and increase hydration. Key Ingredients: Marine collagen, thermos thermophillus ferment, coral seaweed extract Marine collagen, thermos thermophillus ferment, coral seaweed extract Best For: Wrinkles, elasticity, texture, hydration Wrinkles, elasticity, texture, hydration Size: 1.7 oz Best Gel-Cream: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream Why We Love It: While signs of aging are most visible on mature skin, collagen production starts to decline in our twenties, and that's where preventative creams like this come in. 'I recommend this one often, especially for younger patients,' says Dr. Collins. 'It contains a well-balanced mix of peptides and growth factors to support skin renewal and elasticity without clogging pores.' The cream's lightweight, gel-cream texture lends itself to mixing with other products—such as serums or moisturizers—and it's known to give the skin a bit of that ever-desirable plumped-up look. 'Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, tocopherol, marula seed oil, and plant-derived stem cell extract deliver a potent dose of moisture, contributing to plumpness and radiance,' Aparovich says. While signs of aging are most visible on mature skin, collagen production starts to decline in our twenties, and that's where preventative creams like this come in. 'I recommend this one often, especially for younger patients,' says Dr. Collins. 'It contains a well-balanced mix of peptides and growth factors to support skin renewal and elasticity without clogging pores.' The cream's lightweight, gel-cream texture lends itself to mixing with other products—such as serums or moisturizers—and it's known to give the skin a bit of that ever-desirable plumped-up look. 'Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, tocopherol, marula seed oil, and plant-derived stem cell extract deliver a potent dose of moisture, contributing to plumpness and radiance,' Aparovich says. Key Ingredients: Signal peptide complex, waterlily stem cell extract, soybean folic and ferment extract, hyaluronic acid Signal peptide complex, waterlily stem cell extract, soybean folic and ferment extract, hyaluronic acid Best For: Firming, strengthening, fine lines, wrinkles, tone, radiance Firming, strengthening, fine lines, wrinkles, tone, radiance Size: 0.5 oz Best Eye Cream: Neocutis Lumiere Firm Iluminating and Tightening Eye Cream Neocutis Lumière Firm Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream $114 DERMSTORE Why We Love It: 'The secret to searching for an effective collagen cream is to emphasize the ingredients that favor natural production of collagen within the skin,' says Dr. Eleonora Fedonenko, doctor of medicine and medical director of Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles. 'Peptides, vitamin C, and growth factors are all excellent for this.' She calls Neocutis Lumiere Firm Riche Extra a 'powerful' option. Rich in peptides and antioxidants, it facilitates collagen regeneration and enhances skin elasticity. 'Utilized on a regular basis, this product is capable of keeping the complexion more youthful and firm, especially when it's complemented with sun protection and proper hydration,' she says. 'The secret to searching for an effective collagen cream is to emphasize the ingredients that favor natural production of collagen within the skin,' says Dr. Eleonora Fedonenko, doctor of medicine and medical director of Your Laser Skin Care in Los Angeles. 'Peptides, vitamin C, and growth factors are all excellent for this.' She calls Neocutis Lumiere Firm Riche Extra a 'powerful' option. Rich in peptides and antioxidants, it facilitates collagen regeneration and enhances skin elasticity. 'Utilized on a regular basis, this product is capable of keeping the complexion more youthful and firm, especially when it's complemented with sun protection and proper hydration,' she says. Key Ingredients: Growth factors, proprietary peptides, caffeine, vitamin C Growth factors, proprietary peptides, caffeine, vitamin C Best For: Smoother, firmer skin under the eyes, fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness Smoother, firmer skin under the eyes, fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness Size: 0.5 oz Everything You Need to Know
