Winter brings cold, dry air and indoor heat, making oily skin worse. This leads to shine, clogged pores, and breakouts. But, with the right steps, you can fight these issues and keep your skin glowing.
Last week, I talked to Dr. Christine Stanko, a dermatologist at Bryn Mawr Dermatology. She has over 15 years of experience. Dr. Stanko gave us tips to tackle winter’s oily skin challenges.
Winter can make oily skin dry, flaky, and prone to breakouts. But, with the right skincare and advice, we can beat these problems. Let’s look at the top 10 oily skin issues in winter and Dr. Stanko’s solutions.
Understanding Oily Skin in Winter
When it gets colder and the air dries out, our skin faces many challenges. People with oily skin often see their skin get worse. It can become dull, rough, dehydrated, and too shiny. Knowing why this happens is key to finding good solutions.
What Causes Oily Skin to Change in Winter?
The main reason for oily skin problems in winter is our body’s fight against dryness. The low humidity, sometimes as low as 10% in winter, makes our skin glands work harder to keep moisture. This extra effort leads to more oil, making our skin look greasy, especially on the T-zone.
How Weather Affects Oil Production
Stress from the holiday season also plays a part in oily skin. Cortisol, a stress hormone, can make acne worse and increase oil production. Eating too much sugar and carbs, common during holidays, can also make our skin oilier and lead to more breakouts.
To keep our skin healthy and balanced in winter, we need to change our skincare and lifestyle. By understanding the causes and taking action, we can avoid common winter oily skin issues. This way, we can have a radiant, shine-free face all winter.
Problem 1: Increased Dryness
When winter comes, the air gets drier, and many with oily skin face dryness. This is because the skin makes less filaggrin, a key protein. Filaggrin helps keep the skin moist and healthy. Without enough, the skin loses moisture, making it dry and uncomfortable.
Expert Solution: Hydrating Products to Use
To fight dryness in oily skin, add hydrating products(here) to your routine. Choose thick, creamy moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and petrolatum. These ingredients keep moisture in and protect the skin(try this). Also, pick gentle cleansers(buy this) that don’t dry out the skin.
Using a humidifier can help too. It keeps the air moist, which is good for your skin. Try to keep the humidity at 60% to keep your skin hydrated. Also, use lukewarm water instead of hot when you bathe to save your skin’s natural oils.
By following these tips, you can keep your skin healthy and balanced during winter. This will help you fight dryness and look great all season.
Problem 2: Flakiness and Irritation
Winter can be tough for those with oily skin. Flakiness and irritation are common problems. The cold, dry air messes with the skin’s oil balance, causing oiliness and dryness.
Causes of Flakiness in Oily Skin
Lack of moisture is the main reason for flakiness in oily skin during winter. The skin’s barrier weakens, leading to dry, dead cells on the surface. This makes the skin produce more oil, causing more flakes.
Expert Solution: Exfoliation Tips
- Use a gentle chemical exfoliant(check this) like lactic acid or salicylic acid once a week. They remove dead skin without stripping away natural oils.
- Stay away from rough exfoliants like scrubs and loofahs. They can irritate the skin and make it drier.
- Apply moisturizer right after exfoliating to keep the skin hydrated and prevent oiliness.
- Try a moisturizer with glycerin or hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture.
By tackling flakiness and using the right exfoliation, you can get a balanced, healthy look in winter. Listen to your skin and adjust your skincare routine as needed to keep it looking young and radiant.
Problem 3: Breakouts and Acne
Winter’s cold, dry air can make oily skin worse, leading to more breakouts and acne. The low humidity and cold temperatures make the skin produce more sebum. This clogs pores and lets acne-causing bacteria grow.
Why Winter Can Worsen Breakouts
Several factors make breakouts worse in winter:
- Less vitamin D from less sun
- More stress and sleep changes from holidays
- Dry skin that makes more oil
- Heavy winter clothes that trap heat and moisture
Expert Solution: Effective Acne Treatments
To fight winter breakouts and keep your skin clear, use the right products and techniques. Here are some expert tips:
- Use gentle cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to clear pores and reduce redness.
- Exfoliate 1-2 times a week with a mild chemical exfoliant like AHAs or glycolic acid.
- Apply spot treatments with sulfur or retinoids to treat active breakouts.
- Use a hydrating, oil-free moisturizer(here) to balance oil and prevent irritation.
- Take oral medications like winter oily skin remedies with zinc or Echinacea if needed.
- See a dermatologist for severe, ongoing preventing oily skin breakouts in winter.
By tackling winter’s oily skin challenges, you can keep your skin clear and healthy all winter.
Problem 4: Sensitivity and Redness
Winter can be tough on oily skin. The cold and dry air can make skin sensitive and red. This is often called “winter rash,” causing itchiness and visible blood vessels.
High UV light from snow and cold air can dry out the skin. This leads to irritation. People with eczema, psoriasis, or allergies are more likely to get these problems.
Triggers for Sensitivity in Winter
What makes oily skin sensitive in winter includes:
- Extreme temperature changes, like going from warm to cold
- Low humidity and dry air, which harm the skin’s barrier
- Harsh winter winds that make dryness worse
- Exposure to irritating chemicals or materials, like wool
- Increased sun exposure from snow’s UV light reflection
Expert Solution: Soothing Ingredients to Look For
To fight sensitivity and redness, look for products with aloe vera. Aloe vera soothes and moisturizes, reducing inflammation. Stay away from irritants like retinoids, exfoliating acids, and strong fragrances.
Using gentle, nourishing products and protecting your skin from harsh winter elements helps. This way, you can keep your oily skin healthy and avoid winter-related sensitivities and redness.
Problem 5: Clogged Pores
When skin oils and dead cells get stuck in pores, whiteheads and blackheads form. This problem gets worse in winter skincare routine oily skin. It’s because we use thicker moisturizers or forget to exfoliate.
How Winter Skincare Affects Pore Health
The cold, dry air makes our skin produce more oil, clogging pores. Thick moisturizers also trap dirt and debris, making things worse.
Expert Solution: Pore-Cleansing Techniques
- Use gentle exfoliants with lactic acid or salicylic acid to clear pores and remove dead skin.
- Wipe your face with blotting papers all day to soak up extra oil and stop clogs.
- Stay away from heavy, pore-clogging products. Choose oil-free, non-comedogenic ones instead.
- Clean your face well, but don’t scrub too hard. It can make your skin produce more oil.
By following these tips, you can keep your pores clean and your skin looking great, even in winter.
Problem 6: Changes in Skin Texture
Winter brings dry, cold air and indoor heat, changing our skin. Excess sebum, acne, and enlarged pores make our skin look rough. But, with expert help, we can get smooth, radiant skin even in harsh winter.
Factors Leading to Textural Changes
Several things cause skin texture changes in winter. Dehydration, flakiness, and clogged pores make our skin look uneven. The cold air takes away our skin’s natural oils, making it dry and less supple.
Also, winter’s extra sebum leads to blackheads and blemishes. These issues make our skin’s texture worse.
Expert Solution: Texture-Improving Treatments
- Gentle Exfoliation: Use gentle exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) to remove dead skin cells and smooth the skin.
- Hydrating Ingredients: Choose skincare with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide to add moisture and plump the skin.
- Professional Treatments: For tough texture problems, see a board-certified dermatologist. They might suggest chemical peels, microneedling, or laser treatments to make your skin smoother and brighter.
By tackling the causes of texture changes and using specific treatments, you can keep your skin looking young and healthy in winter. With proper care, you can handle winter’s acne and enlarged pores.
Problem 7: Dull Complexion
In winter, oily skin can look dull and lifeless. This happens because of dehydration, too much sebum, and not enough exfoliation. When skin gets dehydrated, it loses its natural glow.
Why Oily Skin Can Look Dull in Winter
Cold, dry air and indoor heat take away skin moisture. This makes skin look dull. Also, blackheads and whiteheads can make skin look uneven. Without exfoliation, pores get clogged, making skin look dull.
Expert Solution: Brightening Products
To make skin look bright and healthy, use brightening products in winter. Look for items with vitamin C, niacinamide, and fruit enzymes. These ingredients can even out skin tone and make it look radiant.
- Vitamin C brightens and evens skin tone.
- Niacinamide reduces blackheads and whiteheads and improves skin texture.
- Fruit enzymes, like from pineapple or papaya, gently exfoliate, revealing brighter skin.
Using these brightening ingredients can help oily skin look healthy and glowing in winter. You can keep your skin looking bright all season.
Problem 8: Overactive Sebaceous Glands
Oily skin can be a big problem, especially in winter. Our sebaceous glands, tiny oil makers in the skin, are often to blame. They produce sebum, a natural oil that keeps our skin moist and healthy. But when they work too hard, we get too much oil, making our skin look shiny and greasy.
Understanding Sebum Production
Many things can affect how much sebum we make, like our genes, hormones, and the weather. If your family has oily skin, you might get it too. People in warm, humid places also tend to have oilier skin. Big pores can make things worse, making our skin look even greasier.
Expert Solution: Balancing Oils with Proper Skincare
- Use oil-blotting sheets all day to soak up extra sebum and keep your skin looking matte.
- Add mattifying or oil-controlling products, like those with salicylic acid or charcoal, to your skincare routine. They help control sebum levels.
- Don’t wash or exfoliate too much. It can take away your skin’s natural oils and make more sebum come out.
- Go for water-based, non-comedogenic moisturizers. They won’t clog pores or make blackheads and whiteheads worse.
- See a dermatologist for advice on how to handle oily skin in winter.
By knowing why your skin is oily and using the right skincare, you can keep your sebum in check. This way, you can have healthy, glowing skin all year.
Problem 9: Increased Need for Moisturization
Even oily skin needs more moisturizer in winter. The cold air makes the skin produce more oil to stay moist. This can cause dryness, flakiness, clogged pores, and breakouts. So, it’s important to use the right moisturizer in winter.
Importance of Moisturizing Oily Skin
Not moisturizing oily skin can lead to big problems. It can get dehydrated, produce more oil, clog pores, and cause acne. It also loses its natural barrier, making it more prone to irritation and inflammation.
Expert Solution: Choosing the Right Moisturizer
- Choose a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. These ingredients add moisture without clogging pores or making it oilier.
- Stay away from heavy, occlusive moisturizers. They trap oil and impurities, making things worse.
- Use a moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher to protect against winter sun.
- Look for a moisturizer with niacinamide. It helps control oil and reduce pore size.
- Choose a moisturizer with pomegranate or other antioxidants. They nourish and soothe the skin.
By picking the right moisturizer, you can keep your skin healthy and balanced, even with oily skin. Remember, keeping your skin hydrated is key to fighting winter’s challenges.
As winter gets closer, oily skin faces special makeup troubles. The cold air and extra oil make it hard to keep makeup looking good. Foundation can break down fast, causing shine and separation.
How Winter Affects Makeup Longevity
Winter weather can mess up makeup. Dry air, strong winds, and extra oil make makeup slide and cake early. This leads to a patchy look and the need for constant touch-ups.
Expert Solution: Best Makeup Practices for Oily Skin
- Start with a mattifying primer to create a smooth, matte canvas for makeup application.
- Use a long-wearing, oil-free foundation that is specifically formulated for oily skin types.
- Blot with oil-absorbing sheets throughout the day to minimize shine and control excess oil.
- Set makeup with a lightweight, translucent powder to lock in the look and prevent creasing.
- Carry a makeup setting spray with you and mist your face periodically to refresh and extend the wear of your makeup troubles.
By following these expert tips, you can get a flawless look all winter, even with oily skin. The trick is finding the right mix of moisture and oil control to solve makeup troubles.
Conclusion: Maintaining Healthy Oily Skin in Winter
To keep oily skin healthy in winter, you need a special skincare routine. This routine should tackle the cold, dry weather’s challenges. Use hydrating, non-clogging products, gentle exfoliation, and methods to control oil. This helps fight dryness, breakouts, and a dull look.
Recap of Key Tips and Solutions
For healthy oily skin in winter, add moisture with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Exfoliate regularly with AHAs or BHAs to fight dullness and clogged pores. Also, use ingredients like niacinamide, ivy leaf extract, and tea tree oil to control oil and prevent breakouts.
Encouragement to Consult a Dermatologist for Personalized Care
While these tips are a good start, see a dermatologist for serious skin issues. They offer custom advice and treatments for your skin type. This ensures you get the best results and keep your oily skin glowing all winter.
