Here ’s Why You Get More Acne in the Winter — And How to Fix It

Nothing much blooms in winter, but pimples may be an exception. A 2015 study of New England acne patients found the percentage of them who enjoyed a clear complexion was greatest during summer and fall. Winter, on the other hand, tended to be a rough season; rates of moderate-to-severe acne leaped 11% among the study participants in winter compared to summer. One reason your skin tends to act up in cold weather may have to do with sebum, a type of oil that the small glands of the skin secrete. Sebum helps keep your skin properly moist and supple, but too much can cause the cells in your skin to stick together. This can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Your face’s “T-zone”—basically, your forehead, nose and chin—contains more of these sebum-producing glands than almost any other part of your body, which is why this area is prone to pimples. The dryer the conditions, the more sebum your skin will produce, and the more likely you are to suffer clogged pores and breakouts. Winter tends to be the driest time of the year, and so even people who typically have a clear complexion may notice a few more blemishes than usual. For people with acne, inflammation is also a concern. “The cold and dryness that comes with cold temperatures can cause inflammation, which is one of the main pathogenic factors for acne formation,” says Dr. Arielle Nagler, an assistant professor of dermatology at New Y...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Research Source Type: news