Winter Acne: Why Breakouts Get Worse This Time of Year

Most people assume acne is a summertime problem. After all, heat and sweat are known breakout triggers. But if your skin tends to flare in the winter, you’re not alone. In fact, dermatologists often see an increase in acne during the colder months—and winter breakouts can be some of the most stubborn.

Here’s why acne can worsen this time of year, and what you can do to keep your skin clear and balanced all season long.

1. Cold weather weakens your skin barrier

Winter air is cold, dry, and low in humidity, which pulls moisture out of the skin. When the skin barrier becomes compromised, your skin overcompensates by producing more oil. That combination—dry surface + excess oil underneath—can clog pores and trigger breakouts.

What helps:
Reach for a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and incorporate a barrier-supporting moisturizer with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide.

2. Heavy winter products can be comedogenic

As temperatures drop, many people layer on richer creams, balms, body butters, and makeup. Unfortunately, some of these formulas are pore-clogging or simply too occlusive for acne-prone skin.

What helps:
Choose non-comedogenic moisturizers and look for labels like “oil-free,” “non-acnegenic,” or “won’t clog pores.” Your dermatologist can help you choose the right winter moisturizer that hydrates without causing congestion.

3. Dry indoor heat triggers oil production

Indoor heating—especially forced hot air—pulls even more moisture from the air and from your skin. Your skin senses this dryness and responds by ramping up sebum production, which can mix with dead skin cells and plug pores.

What helps:
Use a humidifier at night, hydrate consistently, and exfoliate gently 1–2 times per week to prevent buildup.

4. Holiday stress can cause hormonal shifts

Between travel, family events, end-of-year workloads, and disrupted routines, December and January are high-stress months for many people. Stress increases cortisol, a hormone that can increase inflammation and oil production, leading to stress-related acne.

What helps:
Practice consistent routines, take breaks where you can, and pair stress management with a targeted acne regimen from your dermatologist.

5. Friction from winter clothing traps sweat and bacteria

Scarves, turtlenecks, hats, and coat collars rub against the skin, creating friction and trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria—especially along the jawline, forehead, and neck. This can lead to acne, common in winter athletes and anyone bundled up all day.

What helps:
Avoid tight or abrasive fabrics, wipe down skin after sweating and change clothes as soon as you can.

6. Sunscreen gets skipped—leading to inflammation and pigmentation

Many people stop wearing SPF in the winter, but UV rays (especially UVA) penetrate year-round. UV exposure can worsen inflammation in acne and increase the chance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—the dark marks left behind after a breakout.

What helps:
Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, even in winter. Bonus: sunscreen helps protect the skin barrier, which reduces dryness and irritation.

7. Acne treatments can become irritating in cold weather

Products like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid are highly effective—but winter dryness can make them sting, flake, or cause irritation. Many patients stop using them because their skin feels too sensitive, which can cause acne to rebound.

What helps:
Don’t quit your routine—adjust it. Your dermatologist may recommend buffering your retinoid with moisturizer, using treatment products every other night, or switching to formulas that are gentler on winter skin.

How to manage winter acne effectively

Your acne routine may need a seasonal update. Dermatologists often recommend:

• A gentle, hydrating cleanser
• A non-comedogenic moisturizer with ceramides
• Daily SPF 30+
• Spot treatments like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
• A nightly retinoid (with adjustments for winter sensitivity)
• In-office treatments such as chemical peels, blue-light therapy, or extractions

Because everyone’s skin is different, a personalized plan is the fastest, most effective way to get acne under control—especially in winter, when triggers are unique.

Winter may feel like a break from heat and humidity, but acne can still thrive in cold weather. By understanding what’s causing breakouts—and making strategic changes to your routine—you can keep your skin calm, clear, and comfortable all season long.