Having Skin Issues This Winter? You're Not Alone—Here's Why, and What to Do About It

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer

• The U.S. is in the middle of winter, and it seems many people are experiencing skin issues.

• Dermatologists agree that they've been treating more skin issues—increased acne and skin dryness—among patients currently.

• Winter weather can be particularly hard on the skin, so it's important to moisturize and check in with a dermatologist if skin issues don't resolve.

Winter is often a comforting time of year—cozy clothes, roaring fireplaces, simmering soups—but the cold, dry weather can wreak havoc on your skin.

This year especially, it seems like everyone is dealing with some sort of skin issue, from cystic acne breakouts to flaky faces and damaged skin barriers. Even TikTok users have taken to the platform to reveal their struggles with the “winter uglies.”

Clearly, if you’ve been frustrated with your skin lately, you’re not alone—but why? Here’s what to know about the toll winter can take on your skin—and how to nurse it back to health.

Why Your Skin's Being Difficult Right Now

The “winter uglies” isn’t a medical term, but dermatologists agree that they’ve been seeing a lot of skin issues recently.

“I’m definitely seeing this in patients right now,” Ife J. Rodney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, told Health.

“Winter weather commonly takes a toll on the skin,” added Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at The Mount Sinai Hospital. “Low humidity, cold temperatures, and wind can impair skin barrier function by stripping away essential oils.”

If you have an underlying condition like eczema, the winter season can be even more difficult to manage.

“Usually in wintertime, I see more eczema flares because of dry weather—and this year is no different,” Cindy Wassef, MD, an assistant professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, told Health. “Once we had a streak of cold winter days, [there were] lots of calls regarding dry, itchy, red skin.”

Even if you don’t have an underlying skin condition, cold dry air can still dehydrate your skin, leaving you feeling itchy and uncomfortable, Dr. Rodney said.

But it’s not just dry skin you have to worry about—breakouts are common, too.

“Acne-prone skin is usually dry and sensitive,” said Rodney. “When the skin gets drier than usual, like in winter, the body overproduces oil. That oil gets caught under the skin’s surface and leads to acne.”

If you’re using actives in your skin routine (think: actives, like spironolactone or tretinoin), you may only be exacerbating the problem. “Acne medication can be drying in general, and this could be made worse by winter weather,” said Wassef.

And don’t forget about your scalp—according to Rodney, dandruff flares or other hair issues are common this time of year, too.

Related: 13 Things That May Trigger Atopic Dermatitis Flare Ups

Helping Your Skin Get Through the Winter Season

Wintertime and the skin issues it can bring can feel frustrating, but dermatologists say there are things you can do to repair your skin and bring it back to health.

“I would take a good look at your skin care regimen and see where you can make adjustments,” said Zeichner. “For dry skin, have you changed from your summer lotion to thicker moisturizing creams or even Vaseline?”

If acne is the issue, Zeichner suggested looking at your treatment arsenal, including whether you recently increased the strength of your medications or added a new product. “It may be best to cut back to prevent further dryness and breakouts,” he said. If your products were prescribed by a dermatologist, it doesn’t hurt to check in to see if they’re on board with this change.

Moisturizing—and doing so strategically—is also key. “It’s super important that you moisturize all of your skin, including your face and neck,” said Rodney.

The best time to moisturize is straight out of the shower so you can keep as much hydration as possible. “Pat your skin dry to remove excess moisture and apply a cream-based lotion,” said Rodney. “This will help seal the moisture in.”

However, if you’ve revamped your skincare routine and are still struggling, it may be time to check in with a board-certified dermatologist to take a closer look at what’s going on and suggest a more thorough treatment plan.

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