When we think of cold weather affecting skin, we think of dry skin—rosacea, chapping, and the like. But what about blemish-prone skin during cold weather?

Those with problem skin often experience worse breakouts during winter without ever knowing why. Well, we’re here to explain why breakouts can be worse during winter, and what to do about it!

The first reason is somewhat obvious: temperature. Cold weather is a shock to the skin, which is the same thing as stressing the skin out. Stress increases inflammation, which increases the likelihood and potentially the severity of breakouts. This is also why your blemish-prone skin may flare up at the beginning of winter (shock) but balance itself out as the months go by.

The second reason is that, in winter, UV light exposure is typically lower than it is in spring or summer months. UV light is thought to have an effect on the bacteria that live on the skin’s surface, as well as the body’s production of immune cells. When those things are thrown out of balance, the result is obvious: blemish-city!

There is hope, though; if you continue your problem skin care regimen and add in a few precautionary measures, you can keep your skin happy and healthy as the temperatures dip lower. Here are a couple of tips for blemish-prone skin during winter:

Physically protect skin by covering your face with a scarf for turtleneck—or, you know, a mask. Keeping a physical barrier between your skin and cold or wind will help the skin maintain proper hydration levels, which reduces the skin’s risk of an inflammatory response.

Add a more protectant moisturizer to your daily skin care regimen. Those with problem skin tend to prefer lighter-weight moisturizers, which are great for warmer months. But during winter, the skin may need just a bit more of a barrier to keep moisture levels healthy, which helps overall skin function. Try Real Barrier Intense Moisture Cream, which uses hylaluronic acid to hydrate skin while MLE reinforces the skin’s lipid layer.

Don’t bathe in hot water even if it’s calling your name! Use tepid water and pat—don’t rub—skin dry after you bathe. Hot water strips the skin of its essential oils, which may result in your skin responding with even more oil, as well as inflammation; a bad combo for blemish-prone skin.

Stay hydrated like you would in hot weather. When the weather cools down, so can our thirst, which is our main reminder to drink water! Make a water goal for yourself and stick to it. Hydrated skin is functional skin, and functional skin is healthy skin.

Following these simple problem skin care tips will go a long way toward keeping your skin clear and comfortable this fall and winter!