Does your skin look more congested in winter when the temperatures drop? Although this is something you would not normally expect, it is not an illusion. Winter’s low humidity and the use of heating contribute to transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which leaves the skin dehydrated on the surface. However, your oil glands keep working, and this combination of dehydration and sebum traps dead skin cells inside pores.
This creates more blackheads and whiteheads on the nose, as well as those small bumps that feel like under-the-skin blackheads. So how can you address this issue? Before diving into the steps and products, let’s first understand the causes of blackheads in winter.
What Causes Blackheads In Winter?
There are quite a few reasons that contribute to winter blackheads, and some of them include:
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Low humidity: Dry air pulls water from our skin, causing flakiness. Flaky skin mixes with oil and settles into pores.
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Heating: In winter, heating is turned on almost everywhere. Warm, recirculated air can increase surface dehydration while encouraging more oil production.
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Hot showers: We all love taking long, hot showers in winter, but again, heat makes our skin drier, and it tries to protect and replenish itself by producing more oil.
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Heavier skincare products and less cleansing: We tend to reach for thicker moisturizers in winter to combat dryness, and sometimes we may even cleanse less to preserve hydration. But the occlusion and accumulation of impurities/dead skin can increase congestion, especially if cleansing isn’t thorough.
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Skipping exfoliation: Dryness in winter is caused by a disruption of the skin barrier due to weather conditions, which can increase sensitivity. So what do we do? We skip on exfoliants to prevent further irritation. But exfoliants vary in strength, and not all cause irritation.
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Less frequent sunscreen: What does sunscreen have to do with blackheads? Well, the visible black head is essentially sebum and dead cells that have oxidized at the surface. Although UV levels are lower in winter, they are still present. Frequent sunscreen use is what can help prevent them from darkening.
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Winter Blackheads?
Blackhead prevention is all about choosing skincare that tackles each factor involved in their formation. Both ingredients and formulation should be taken into consideration. So, here are the products and steps that you need to incorporate into your routine to deal with blackheads, particularly during the colder months.
Step 1: Gentle Exfoliating Cleanse
Proper cleansing is one of the most important steps when it comes to treating blackheads. One of the factors that plays a part in blackhead formation is dead skin cells and impurities that get trapped inside the pores. And the answer to this is thorough cleansing and exfoliation. These help lift dead cells before they compact in pores and cause congestion. However, not all cleansers, exfoliators, and ingredients are the same, nor do they give the same results.
Since we are discussing blackhead care during the colder months, we need to consider how to cleanse thoroughly while keeping it gentle and non-stripping. And here’s where the Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel comes in. Why this cleanser exactly? This is the right type of cleanser to use if you have concerns about blackheads for two reasons:
First, formulation. The Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel comes in a gel format, offering a gentler formula that won't strip your skin of moisture. This is particularly important during winter, when the skin tends to become drier and its barrier is disturbed by environmental factors. Harsh cleansers could dry out skin even further and even cause increased sensitivity.
Second, the intentional choice of ingredients. This cleanser contains two gentle surfactants, such as Coco-Betaine and Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate. Both are ideal for daily use, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin. They also physically lift dead skin cells. To aid exfoliation, the cleanser also includes three mild AHAs such as mandelic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid. They help the cleansing process by loosening dead skin over time and refining the skin texture further.
The Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel can be used daily and even twice a day in the winter, without worrying that your skin will become dry or more reactive. It’s gentle enough to use for all skin types.
Step 2: Target Excess Oil with a Cleansing Oil
Oily and combination skin types are the most susceptible to blemishes and blackheads in winter, and all year round, really. The combination of sebum and dead skin is what causes pores to become congested. So, the other factor that needs to be addressed is excess oil production.
Oily skin is largely genetic, although not only genetic. Just because the weather gets colder, it doesn’t mean that oily skin will go away. While sebaceous glands are indeed less active in cold, dry environments, the skin can still be prone to congestion due to the factors mentioned earlier.
One of the most effective ways to manage excess oil is by using an oil-based cleanser, and the Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil makes this effortless! This is thanks to the product's texture and its working mechanism. The cleanser has a balanced oil texture, not too thick or too thin, and is applied directly to dry skin.
Massaging the skin for at least 30 seconds will help dissolve surface oils, sunscreen, and makeup with ease. If not properly removed, this stuff accumulates and hardens into blackheads. However, the oil-type formula melts everything away, including already hardened sebum that has settled into the pores, while preventing new oils from settling and clogging them. When water is added, the formula emulsifies, turning milky, and rinses off easily.
So, the combination of oil, which dissolves excess sebum, with a rinse-off formula makes this cleanser perfect for targeting blackheads. The cleansing agents will further improve skin texture and ensure everything is washed off to prevent buildup and skin congestion. That’s why oily skin shouldn’t shy away from oil cleansers. They’re actually perfect for it. The Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil is also non-comedogenic and leaves the skin feeling smooth and soft to the touch.
Step 3: Hydrate Without Clogging Pores
After a gentle, thorough cleanse to address blackheads, what’s next? What other blackhead treatment products do you need to use? If your cleansing steps were done properly, you’ve already tackled most of the work. The key now is to choose products that won’t cause congestion or contribute to blackheads or under-the-skin bumps.
And here are two key considerations to keep in mind: product texture and ingredients. For this, no matter your skin type, the Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream is the perfect choice, and here’s why:
The texture is a light watery gel type that deeply hydrates the skin while remaining non-comedogenic. Toners and serums are usually lightweight, but they are not enough on their own to provide adequate moisture in winter. We need emollients in moisturizers to keep the hydration locked in. The secret to keeping skin free from acne and those pesky blackheads is choosing the right moisturizer, particularly for congestion-prone skin.
While the Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream has the right texture for this skin issue, it also contains Niacinamide. This superstar ingredient is known for its sebum-regulating properties, which is an extra step in ensuring the skin remains balanced. Unlike harsh oil-control treatments, niacinamide works gently over time to normalize sebum levels, reducing shine and making blackheads less likely to form.
Clear Blackheads and Stock Up This Black Friday!
As you know now, taking care of blackheads in winter doesn’t have to be complicated. With a gentle, thorough cleanse, an oil-based cleanser to manage excess sebum, and lightweight hydration that won’t clog pores, your skin can stay balanced, clear, and healthy, even in the colder months.
The Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil, the Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel, and the Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream make it easy to cover all the essential steps. And the best part? You can grab them during the Amazon Black Friday Sale, your perfect chance to shop more for less and give your skin the care it deserves!
Is Winter Making Your Blackheads Worse? Causes + Fixes
Does your skin look more congested in winter when the temperatures drop? Although this is something you would not normally expect, it is not an illusion. Winter’s low humidity and the use of heating contribute to transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which leaves the skin dehydrated on the surface. However, your oil glands keep working, and this combination of dehydration and sebum traps dead skin cells inside pores.
This creates more blackheads and whiteheads on the nose, as well as those small bumps that feel like under-the-skin blackheads. So how can you address this issue? Before diving into the steps and products, let’s first understand the causes of blackheads in winter.
What Causes Blackheads In Winter?
There are quite a few reasons that contribute to winter blackheads, and some of them include:
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Winter Blackheads?
Blackhead prevention is all about choosing skincare that tackles each factor involved in their formation. Both ingredients and formulation should be taken into consideration. So, here are the products and steps that you need to incorporate into your routine to deal with blackheads, particularly during the colder months.
Step 1: Gentle Exfoliating Cleanse
Proper cleansing is one of the most important steps when it comes to treating blackheads. One of the factors that plays a part in blackhead formation is dead skin cells and impurities that get trapped inside the pores. And the answer to this is thorough cleansing and exfoliation. These help lift dead cells before they compact in pores and cause congestion. However, not all cleansers, exfoliators, and ingredients are the same, nor do they give the same results.
Since we are discussing blackhead care during the colder months, we need to consider how to cleanse thoroughly while keeping it gentle and non-stripping. And here’s where the Black Rice Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel comes in. Why this cleanser exactly? This is the right type of cleanser to use if you have concerns about blackheads for two reasons:
First, formulation. The Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel comes in a gel format, offering a gentler formula that won't strip your skin of moisture. This is particularly important during winter, when the skin tends to become drier and its barrier is disturbed by environmental factors. Harsh cleansers could dry out skin even further and even cause increased sensitivity.
Second, the intentional choice of ingredients. This cleanser contains two gentle surfactants, such as Coco-Betaine and Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate. Both are ideal for daily use, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin. They also physically lift dead skin cells. To aid exfoliation, the cleanser also includes three mild AHAs such as mandelic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid. They help the cleansing process by loosening dead skin over time and refining the skin texture further.
The Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel can be used daily and even twice a day in the winter, without worrying that your skin will become dry or more reactive. It’s gentle enough to use for all skin types.
Step 2: Target Excess Oil with a Cleansing Oil
Oily and combination skin types are the most susceptible to blemishes and blackheads in winter, and all year round, really. The combination of sebum and dead skin is what causes pores to become congested. So, the other factor that needs to be addressed is excess oil production.
Oily skin is largely genetic, although not only genetic. Just because the weather gets colder, it doesn’t mean that oily skin will go away. While sebaceous glands are indeed less active in cold, dry environments, the skin can still be prone to congestion due to the factors mentioned earlier.
One of the most effective ways to manage excess oil is by using an oil-based cleanser, and the Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil makes this effortless! This is thanks to the product's texture and its working mechanism. The cleanser has a balanced oil texture, not too thick or too thin, and is applied directly to dry skin.
Massaging the skin for at least 30 seconds will help dissolve surface oils, sunscreen, and makeup with ease. If not properly removed, this stuff accumulates and hardens into blackheads. However, the oil-type formula melts everything away, including already hardened sebum that has settled into the pores, while preventing new oils from settling and clogging them. When water is added, the formula emulsifies, turning milky, and rinses off easily.
So, the combination of oil, which dissolves excess sebum, with a rinse-off formula makes this cleanser perfect for targeting blackheads. The cleansing agents will further improve skin texture and ensure everything is washed off to prevent buildup and skin congestion. That’s why oily skin shouldn’t shy away from oil cleansers. They’re actually perfect for it. The Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil is also non-comedogenic and leaves the skin feeling smooth and soft to the touch.
Step 3: Hydrate Without Clogging Pores
After a gentle, thorough cleanse to address blackheads, what’s next? What other blackhead treatment products do you need to use? If your cleansing steps were done properly, you’ve already tackled most of the work. The key now is to choose products that won’t cause congestion or contribute to blackheads or under-the-skin bumps.
And here are two key considerations to keep in mind: product texture and ingredients. For this, no matter your skin type, the Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream is the perfect choice, and here’s why:
The texture is a light watery gel type that deeply hydrates the skin while remaining non-comedogenic. Toners and serums are usually lightweight, but they are not enough on their own to provide adequate moisture in winter. We need emollients in moisturizers to keep the hydration locked in. The secret to keeping skin free from acne and those pesky blackheads is choosing the right moisturizer, particularly for congestion-prone skin.
While the Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream has the right texture for this skin issue, it also contains Niacinamide. This superstar ingredient is known for its sebum-regulating properties, which is an extra step in ensuring the skin remains balanced. Unlike harsh oil-control treatments, niacinamide works gently over time to normalize sebum levels, reducing shine and making blackheads less likely to form.
Clear Blackheads and Stock Up This Black Friday!
As you know now, taking care of blackheads in winter doesn’t have to be complicated. With a gentle, thorough cleanse, an oil-based cleanser to manage excess sebum, and lightweight hydration that won’t clog pores, your skin can stay balanced, clear, and healthy, even in the colder months.
The Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil, the Triple AHA Gentle Cleansing Gel, and the Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream make it easy to cover all the essential steps. And the best part? You can grab them during the Amazon Black Friday Sale, your perfect chance to shop more for less and give your skin the care it deserves!