Q: Now that cold winter weather is here, my skin is breaking out more. Why is this happening and what can I do about it?
MyChelle Dermaceuticals licensed esthetician Catie Wiggy responds:
Winter is a time of year that brings wonderful things: holiday traditions, comfort foods and cold, snowy weather. This season can also contribute to skin changes and, in some cases, even lead to breakouts. Have you noticed any changes? The winter months can take a “normal” skin type and turn it into a combination mess. Dryness, flakiness and dullness are all top complaints during the winter months, but another major issue is breakouts.
Here is a rundown of why the skin can breakout during the cold winter months and what you can do to stop the madness-
Season change, and so does your skin!
Some places get snow while others get harsh winds, regardless of where you live, the winter months bring a change to the temperature and humidity levels in the air as well as the weather patterns. Seasonal changes from fall to winter can make the skin become dry and dehydrated, causing the pores to become impacted with dirt and debris and a buildup of dead skin cells, ultimately leading to breakouts.
Prevent blemishes from ever occurring by exfoliating regularly two to three times per week. This will help to lift and remove the dead skin cells that are trapping debris in the skin. For a wonderful weekly treatment use the MyChelle Incredible Pumpkin Peel to exfoliate and deeply nourish the skin with pumpkin pulp, enzymes and fermented juice. This delicious-smelling, active treatment is loaded with antioxidants and supports cellular integrity while clearing pores and aiding detoxification. Skin is left feeling incredibly soft, smooth and clean with a renewed healthy glow.
Additionally, you can fight back against the seasonal winter elements and keep your skin in a healthy condition by simply using a humidifier in your room at night to add moisture back into the air. This can help your skin maintain better hydration, causing the skin to be in better balanced state.
Stop stressing out
Typically this time of year is filled with holiday get-togethers, travel, activities and much more. Unfortunately a little something called “the winter blues” can set in causing stress to soar. Stress can lead to an increase in cortisol and other hormones, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. When this happens, the oil can trigger breakouts and other skin problems.
We might not have the answer for how to minimize the stress but MyChelle has a simple solution to the annoying breakouts triggered by stress. The MyChelle Clear Skin Serum is a potent formula that minimizes surface shine while improving the clarity of blemish-prone skin. Retinol (natural vitamin A) resurfaces the skin and clears pore-blocking debris while Montmorillonite clay detoxifies and absorbs excess oil. Totarolâ„¢, a botanically-derived antibacterial, and B vitamins assist in the growth and repair of skin tissues. This serum will help address and prevent breakouts so you don’t have one more thing to stress out about with your skin.
A healthy balanced diet and regular exercise are fabulous ways to reduce stress and improve your complexion. Load up on leafy greens packed with vitamins, berries full of antioxidants and dark chocolate rich in flavonoids.
The wrong regimen
As the seasons transition, so do many other things like TV shows, your wardrobe, even eating habits. Something else that should change is your skincare routine. It’s time to trade in your lightweight summer products for a restorative winter routine. Cleanse, hydrate and protect daily, while adding treatments one or twice a week.
Incorporate a hydrating, invigorating mask into your routine regularly to keep the skin balanced with the right levels of moisture. The MyChelle Pure Harmony Mask luxuriously softens, soothes and maintains hydrating moisture. Skin-protecting and antioxidant-rich prickly pear cactus combines with soothing blue agave to ease discomfort and signs of redness ““ while deeply hydrating and preventing moisture loss. Protection is further enhanced with Smithsonite and Malachite Stone Extracts to shield against environmental stress and pollution. Bisabolol has activity key for preventing and helping breakouts.
Consider trading in your lightweight moisturizers for a more emollient, hydrating cream with peptides and reparative ingredients. The MyChelle Revitalizing Night Cream is a nutrient-rich cream that works overnight to restore skin’s youthful radiance and firmness. ChroNOlineâ„¢ Peptide is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 16% in just 28 days. Test results show monk’s pepper noticeably reduces line depth, increases hydration and improves skin firmness all within four weeks. You can even use this cream during the day to alleviate dry, dehydrated, damaged skin.
Knowing your skin, recognizing the changes and switching things up are key to beating the winter messes that can take place within the skin. Don’t skip on hydrating, and make it a priority to give your skin a little extra TLC. If you still get a pimple from time to time, even when trying everything you can to prevent it, keep the MyChelle Clear Skin Spot Treatment on hand to diminish pimples as soon as they appear. This ultra-clearing and calming spot treatment counterbalances trapped oil and other problems associated with breakouts. Six percent sulphur content helps purify, unclog pores and dry excess oil, while zinc aids repair and speeds skin’s recovery. Totarolâ„¢ purifies deeply to reduce and avert blemish-prone disturbances, helping skin stay in a healthy, balanced state.