Cold-Weather Acne Solutions for Men: Banishing Breakouts in Winter

So, we're all used to summer being the culprit behind those unexpected pimple parties on our face. But guess what? Winter's here with its own set of sly moves! The cold air, the shift in humidity while taking a vacation, and the dryness in the air – it's like an all-you-can-eat buffet for our skin’s pores. As the season’s icy fingers sneak in, it's time to create a fortress for our faces so that no untimely acne pops us on our skin. 

Why Acne In Winters Need To Be Dealt Differently

The air gets extremely dehydrated in the winters as the temperature drops and can’t hold enough moisture. Now, when you walk out in the chilly winter air, it tries to compensate for its lost moisture by taking it from your skin’s surface. Thus leaving your skin as dehydrated as the air. 

Another thing that you’re quite fond of in the winters is taking hot showers. In fact many of us only get convinced to take a shower when it’s steaming hot. But, here’s the thing – while those hot showers may feel delightful, they act as winter’s secret dehydrating agents for your skin, stealing all the essential moisture from your skin’s surface. As a natural reaction your skin starts producing extra sebum (that oily stuff on your face), which in turn leads to clogged pores and breakouts. So, to  make sure your skin doesn’t face this fate, we have chalked down tips to fight back the acne during winters.

How To Fight Acne In Winters

Below we have listed a few tips for you to make sure your skin looks great even when it feels like Mother Nature's playing a dry joke on us. OK, that was a bad pun.

• Gentle Cleansing: During winters it's best to swap those summer suds for a gentler winter routine. A gentle cleanser removes dirt and impurities without stripping away your precious natural oils. Our curated Face Wash for Men ensures dirt removal without stripping natural oils.

• Moisturise Smartly: Look for moisturisers that are rich in hyaluronic acid, glycerine and shea butter. These natural ingredients are moisture magnets that hold onto hydration like nobody's business.

• Lukewarm Water Is Acceptable: Ditch the scorching showers during winters! For a while it feels amazing, but it's like a moisture thief and stripping the natural oils from your skin. So, it's best to stick to lukewarm water instead. But when it comes to your face, water at room temperature is your best bet.

• Don’t Rub Your Skin, Pat Dry: Kindness is the key, and so does this apply to your skin as well, especially during winters. After cleansing, be as gentle as a snowflake landing on your cheek. Pat your face dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it like you're drying dishes.

• Avoid Touching Your Face: You may not see them, but your skin is a natural shelter for bacteria and microbes, and touching your acne prone skin makes it worse. So keep your hands off your face! Your fingers can carry a whole party of dirt and bacteria, and nobody wants that acne-causing crowd crashing their skin.

• Don’t Over-Exfoliate: See exfoliation shouldn't be stopped all the way when winters arrive, it's best to not go for reducing the number of times you scrub your face in a week. Additionally, it is like giving your skin a fresh cleanup, but be gentle! Winter skin needs all the moisture it can get, so stick to a light exfoliating scrub once a week.

• Drink Plenty Of Water: How can we forget this? Better skin starts with better hydration. It's best to drink plenty of water throughout the day (2 litres - 3 litres at least). So make sure you take care of your skin both from the inside and outside as well. 

How To Cure Acne Scars

So far we have covered the parts where we give you a general idea on the ways to deal with acne, but if you’re someone who’s been dealing with acne constantly for a while, this one's for you. But when the acne fades away, the next big thing to handle is the scars. These scars are tough and adamant, and take forever to get rid of. Here are a few ways to remove them for good gently.

Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is an excellent moisturising agent with anti-inflammatory properties. It not only soothes the skin but also reduces redness, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. And the good news is that it’s really easy to grow it at home. Get an aloe vera plant in a pot and you’re good to go even if you forget to water it. Cut open the leaf and scoop out the gel. Apply this generously on the scars for 10 mins before going to bed every night and let your skin get clearer over time.

Niacinamides: This is a water-soluble vitamin (B3) that, besides other things, reduces post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and also tightens up lax or stretched out pores on your skin. Products with niacinamide help improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles and also diminish dullness.

Cucumber Slices: Cucumber is known for its soothing and moisturising capabilities, and even though its role in reducing acne scars is disputed, with other products it can help keep your skin calm and composed. All you have to do is to get fresh cucumber from the market, put it in the refrigerator for 30 mins. Cut it into slices and put them on your face for around 5-10 minutes. Then wash your face. Do this 3-5 times a week for best results.

THAT’S A WRAP

Acne is a very common thing and men are more prone to developing them than women because of greater sebum production on the skin. The underlying reason for your acne could be anything but it is important to find the ways to keep them at bay, especially in winters when you tend to keep yourself warmer with heaters or layers of woollens. However, if nothing works, it’s best to consult a doctor and get them treated professionally.