Dear Skin Care Expert,

For some reason my skin always seems to act a bit different during the winter months. During the summer my acne soap works wonders for my skin, but it never seems to keep my face clear during the winter. Can you recommend some soaps best for winter skin that I can use to keep my skin clear and healthy throughout the winter months. – Seeking Soap in Sioux Falls

Unfortunately winter does seem to play havoc on your skin, especially in colder regions. The combination of cold air, lower humidity, dry heat indoors, and the harsh wind can really do a number on your skin.

During the summer months no doubt you’re using an acne soap that helps to cut down on oil, since skin tends to be more oily, but this method of skin care is not going to work in the winter months. After all, more than likely the oily skin of summer is long gone by about November. Since skin is drier, you need another type of treatment during the winter.

So, the first thing you are going to need to change is that soap that you are using. You are right, the acne fighting soap you use in the summer is probably not going to work as well now.

When you are looking for an excellent winter soap, one ingredient to look for is glycerin. The glycerin in a good soap can help to treat acne while still moisturizing. Some products dry out skin too much, but the glycerin actually helps to provide some moisture to your skin, so soaps that contain this ingredient are excellent for winter.

In some cases, if you are having a particular bad time with dry winter skin and acne as well, using a cleanser that is oil free instead of a soap can help. Sometimes you’ll find that soaps will aggravate your acne and make dry skin worse. However, a cleanser can keep the skin clean without causing this acne exacerbation. If you go with a cleanser, you should use it in the morning and again at night.

Soaps that contain natural moisturizers, such as aloe vera, make excellent choices as well. In fact, soaps that have natural ingredients are less harsh on dry winter skin and are excellent for keeping your skin clear, even during the winter.

These are just a few tips to try out. It may take you a couple tries to find out what works best for you though. Keep this in mind when looking for soaps and avoid spending a huge amount of money on a specific soap unless you are sure it’s going to work for you. Other than that…stay warm!