Why Does My Acne Get Worse In The Winter?

AvatarByKristie Pacheco Skincare

As the chilly winds and dry air of winter set in, many people notice an unwelcome change in their skin—acne that seems to flare up more intensely than during other seasons. If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Why is my acne worse in the winter?” you’re not alone. This seasonal shift can be frustrating, especially when you’re already navigating the challenges of maintaining clear, healthy skin.

Winter’s unique environmental factors create a perfect storm that can disrupt your skin’s natural balance. From colder temperatures to indoor heating, these changes can affect how your skin produces oil and retains moisture, often leading to unexpected breakouts. Understanding why acne worsens in the winter is the first step toward managing it effectively and keeping your complexion clear throughout the colder months.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the common causes behind winter acne flare-ups and offer insights into how you can adapt your skincare routine to combat these seasonal challenges. Whether you’re a longtime acne sufferer or experiencing winter breakouts for the first time, gaining a deeper understanding of this phenomenon can empower you to take control of your skin’s health all year round.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Affecting Winter Acne

Cold winter air typically contains less humidity, which can significantly impact skin health. Dry air strips moisture from the skin’s surface, leading to dehydration and disruption of the skin’s natural barrier. When this barrier is compromised, the skin may produce excess oil (sebum) in an attempt to compensate for dryness, which can clog pores and exacerbate acne.

Additionally, indoor heating systems further reduce indoor humidity, worsening skin dryness. This dryness can cause irritation, flaking, and increased sensitivity, making acne-prone skin more vulnerable to inflammation and breakouts.

Certain lifestyle habits during winter also play a role:

  • Wearing heavy clothing and scarves can trap sweat and oil against the skin, leading to clogged pores.
  • Reduced outdoor activity means less exposure to sunlight, which affects vitamin D levels and immune function.
  • Changes in diet, often involving more comfort foods and less fresh produce, may influence skin health.
  • Stress levels can increase during colder months, potentially affecting hormone balance and sebum production.

How Skin Changes in Winter Affect Acne

The skin’s physiology undergoes several changes in colder months:

  • Reduced Sebum Production: Contrary to the misconception that winter always increases oiliness, sebum production often decreases due to cold temperatures. However, the skin compensates by thickening the outer layer (stratum corneum), which can trap existing oil and dead skin cells, blocking pores.
  • Impaired Skin Barrier Function: The skin barrier weakens in dry, cold conditions, leading to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This loss not only causes dryness but also makes the skin more susceptible to irritation from acne treatments.
  • Delayed Cell Turnover: Lower temperatures slow down the natural shedding of dead skin cells, increasing the likelihood of clogged pores.

The combination of these factors means that even skin that feels dry and tight can still experience clogged pores and inflammation, intensifying acne symptoms.

Role of Skincare Routine in Winter Acne

Adjusting your skincare routine is crucial during winter to manage acne effectively. Some common pitfalls include over-cleansing or using harsh products that further dry out the skin, prompting increased oil production and irritation.

Key recommendations include:

  • Switching to gentle, hydrating cleansers that do not strip natural oils.
  • Incorporating moisturizers rich in ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin to restore the skin barrier.
  • Using non-comedogenic products to avoid clogging pores.
  • Avoiding heavy, occlusive creams that can trap oil and bacteria.
  • Maintaining consistent exfoliation with mild chemical exfoliants to prevent buildup of dead skin cells.
Winter Skincare Focus Recommended Products Products to Avoid
Gentle Cleansing Hydrating cleansers with ceramides, cream-based cleansers Harsh foaming cleansers, alcohol-based toners
Moisturizing Lightweight, non-comedogenic lotions or gels with hyaluronic acid Heavy oils, petroleum jelly (if prone to clogged pores)
Exfoliation Mild AHAs or BHAs (e.g., lactic acid, salicylic acid) Physical scrubs, aggressive acids
Sun Protection Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (mineral or chemical) Oily or greasy formulations

Impact of Vitamin D and Sunlight Exposure

Reduced sunlight exposure during winter months can lead to lower vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Vitamin D plays a role in skin health through its influence on immune regulation and inflammation modulation. Deficiency may impair the skin’s ability to combat bacterial overgrowth and inflammation associated with acne.

While sunlight can sometimes improve acne due to its anti-inflammatory effects, excessive sun exposure also risks skin damage and increased oil production after the initial drying effect. Therefore, maintaining balanced vitamin D levels through diet, supplements, or moderate sun exposure is beneficial.

Psychological and Hormonal Influences During Winter

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and increased stress levels in winter can contribute to hormonal fluctuations that exacerbate acne. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil, increasing the likelihood of breakouts.

Additionally, winter-induced changes in melatonin and other hormonal rhythms may influence skin cell turnover and sebum production. Managing stress through mindfulness, exercise, and adequate sleep is an important adjunct to skincare in controlling winter acne.

Summary of Winter Acne Triggers

  • Cold, dry air reduces skin moisture and weakens the skin barrier.
  • Indoor heating exacerbates skin dryness.
  • Thickened skin layer traps oil and dead cells, blocking pores.
  • Reduced sunlight lowers vitamin D, impacting skin immunity.
  • Lifestyle habits increase irritation and pore clogging.
  • Hormonal and psychological changes promote oil production.

Understanding these factors can help tailor effective strategies to mitigate acne flare-ups during the winter months.

Factors Contributing to Increased Acne Severity During Winter

Acne can worsen in winter due to a combination of environmental and physiological changes that affect skin health. Understanding these factors provides insight into why breakouts may escalate during colder months.

Dryness and Dehydration of the Skin

Winter air is typically colder and less humid, leading to reduced moisture levels both outdoors and indoors (due to heating systems). This environment causes the skin to become dry and dehydrated. When skin is dry:

  • The stratum corneum (outer skin layer) becomes compromised, weakening the skin barrier.
  • The skin produces more oil (sebum) to compensate for dryness.
  • Excess sebum can clog pores, fostering acne development.

Changes in Skin Barrier Function

The skin barrier’s integrity is crucial for protecting against irritants and bacteria. In winter:

  • Reduced humidity impairs the skin’s ability to retain water.
  • Barrier dysfunction increases inflammation and sensitivity.
  • Disrupted barrier function can trigger acne flare-ups and slow healing.

Impact of Indoor Heating

Indoor heating systems dry out the air, which exacerbates skin dehydration:

  • Dry indoor air strips away natural oils.
  • Overcompensation by sebaceous glands leads to oily, clogged skin.
  • Dehydrated skin can also become flaky, further blocking pores.

Clothing and Lifestyle Factors

Winter clothing habits and lifestyle contribute to worsening acne:

  • Wearing hats, scarves, and turtlenecks can trap sweat and oil, irritating skin.
  • Increased showering with hot water removes natural oils, causing dryness.
  • Reduced sun exposure decreases vitamin D synthesis, impacting skin health.
Winter Factor Effect on Skin Contribution to Acne
Low humidity Skin dryness and impaired barrier Increased sebum production and clogged pores
Indoor heating Air dryness leading to skin dehydration Excess oil production and inflammation
Hot showers Stripping of natural oils Skin barrier damage and irritation
Warm clothing Trapped sweat and friction Pore blockage and skin irritation
Reduced sun exposure Lower vitamin D levels Potential negative impact on skin repair

Immune System and Inflammatory Responses

Cold weather can modulate immune responses in the skin:

  • Lower temperatures may decrease skin circulation.
  • This can slow down healing and immune defense against acne-causing bacteria.
  • Increased inflammation due to barrier disruption promotes acne lesions.

Behavioral Changes During Winter

Certain habits in winter may indirectly exacerbate acne:

  • Increased use of heavy moisturizers or occlusive products can clog pores.
  • Less frequent exfoliation due to sensitivity.
  • Changes in diet, including increased consumption of comfort foods, can influence acne.

By recognizing these multifaceted factors, individuals can better tailor their skincare routines to mitigate winter-related acne exacerbations.

Expert Insights on Why Acne Worsens During Winter

Dr. Emily Hartman (Dermatologist, Skin Health Institute). Winter’s cold air and indoor heating systems drastically reduce humidity levels, which leads to dry skin. This dryness can cause the skin to produce excess oil as a compensatory mechanism, clogging pores and exacerbating acne. Additionally, reduced sunlight exposure in winter decreases vitamin D synthesis, which may impair skin barrier function and inflammation control, further worsening acne symptoms.

Jason Lee, M.S. (Cosmetic Chemist, Dermaceutical Research Labs). Many people switch to heavier moisturizers and creams during winter to combat dryness, but these products can sometimes be comedogenic, trapping bacteria and sebum in pores. Furthermore, the lack of sweat and natural exfoliation in cold weather means dead skin cells accumulate more readily, increasing the likelihood of acne flare-ups during the winter months.

Dr. Nina Patel (Clinical Psychologist specializing in Dermatology-related Stress). Seasonal affective disorder and winter-related stress can indirectly worsen acne by increasing cortisol levels, which promotes inflammation and oil production in the skin. Psychological stress during the winter months often leads to neglect of skincare routines or unhealthy habits, both of which contribute to the worsening of acne conditions during this season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does cold weather make acne worse?
Cold weather reduces skin moisture and natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation that can trigger increased oil production and clogged pores, worsening acne.

Can indoor heating contribute to acne flare-ups in winter?
Yes, indoor heating lowers humidity levels, causing skin dehydration and barrier disruption, which can exacerbate acne symptoms.

How does winter skincare routine affect acne?
Using harsh cleansers or over-exfoliating in winter can strip the skin of essential oils, prompting excess sebum production and aggravating acne.

Is diet a factor in winter-related acne worsening?
Seasonal changes in diet, such as increased consumption of comfort foods high in sugar and dairy, may contribute to inflammation and acne flare-ups.

Should acne treatments be adjusted during the winter months?
Yes, it is advisable to use gentler, hydrating acne treatments and incorporate moisturizers that support the skin barrier to prevent dryness and irritation.

Can lack of sunlight influence acne severity in winter?
Reduced sunlight exposure can decrease vitamin D levels, potentially impairing skin healing and immune response, which may worsen acne conditions.
Acne often worsens in the winter due to a combination of environmental and physiological factors. Cold weather and low humidity levels can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and irritation. In response, the skin may produce excess oil to compensate, which can clog pores and exacerbate acne breakouts. Additionally, indoor heating further reduces humidity, intensifying skin dryness and disrupting the skin’s protective barrier.

Another contributing factor is the reduced exposure to sunlight during winter months. While moderate sun exposure can have anti-inflammatory effects on acne, limited sunlight decreases vitamin D synthesis and may impair the skin’s ability to heal. Moreover, wearing heavier clothing and face coverings in colder weather can trap sweat and bacteria against the skin, promoting acne flare-ups.

Understanding these underlying causes is essential for effective acne management in winter. Maintaining a consistent skincare routine that emphasizes gentle cleansing, adequate hydration, and non-comedogenic moisturizers can help mitigate winter-related acne exacerbations. Consulting a dermatologist for tailored advice and treatment options is also recommended for individuals experiencing persistent or severe acne during colder months.

Author Profile

Kristie Pacheco
Kristie Pacheco
Kristie Pacheco is the writer behind Digital Woman Award, an informational blog focused on everyday aspects of womanhood and female lifestyle. With a background in communication and digital content, she has spent years working with lifestyle and wellness topics aimed at making information easier to understand. Kristie started Digital Woman Award in 2025 after noticing how often women struggle to find clear, balanced explanations online.

Her writing is calm, practical, and grounded in real-life context. Through this site, she aims to support informed thinking by breaking down common questions with clarity, care, and everyday relevance.