March 29, 2023

Chasing seasons, changing skin: treating those pesky breakouts

Does your skin break out when the season changes, or is it just us?

If you don't know what it is like to have your skin break out when the season changes, you are luckier than most. After doing some very serious surveys (asking our friends and colleagues), it turns out that breakouts when the seasons change is a pretty common experience.

Skin responds to its environment.

You already know that excess oils or dryness makes skin break out. When the season changes, the water content in the air shifts too, making the environment more dry or more humid. Your skin spent the last few months used to the water content in the air... and then the weather shifts, and the sudden increase (extra humidity) or decrease (extra dryness) is a shock to the system. Breakouts happen when your skin has excess oil, but also when your skin is extra dry. Lack of moisture can cause your skin to become more sensitive, making it more prone to blemishes and congestion. Dry skin cells also turn over more quickly, so if you don't deal with the extra dead skin cells on your face, those dead skin cells can block pores and cause congestion.

How to treat seasonal breakouts:

Exfoliate. Remove the excess dead skin to clear your pores and prevent further build up. Don't exfoliate too often, as this can irritate the skin and cause more breakouts that you'll have to deal with.
Change your moisturiser. Pay attention to the weather as the seasons change. As the weather warms up, trade in your heavier creams for something lighter like Actual Moisture. And when you find yourself huddled by the heater or fireplace, make sure to replenish moisture loss from the dry hot air by using a rich, nourishing cream like Ideal Moisture or a day cream from the Legacy and Neuro range.
Add your antioxidants. If you're not using antioxidant serums regularly, Vitamin A and Vitamin C serums are perfect for gentle daily exfoliation of the skin. Together, Vitamin A and C fight free radicals and promote skin health. Think A and Think C15/Think C25 are formulated to work together. Use Think A in the evening and Think C in the morning underneath your sunscreen.