When the holidays roll around, it seems like your acne problem does too. Holidays don’t cause acne, of course, but there are a number of ways that the holidays can cause an acne problem. If this sounds familiar to you, read on.

Why Holidays Cause an Acne Problem: Outbreaks

Are you one of those people who seem to have a bigger acne problem around the holidays? There could be a good reason, and it has nothing to do with all that Christmas candy you’ve been eating. It’s all about stress. Stress can activate your hormones, and a hormone imbalance can stimulate your glandular production. One of the main components of acne is sebum, oil secreted by your sebaceous glands. If the stress of the holidays is getting to you, you may be producing more sebum, which in turn, may lead to more acne.

Why Holidays Cause an Acne Problem: Socializing

Having a little extra acne around the holidays might not be such a problem if it wasn’t for all those parties and social events. There are office parties for both you and your significant other, family gatherings, and you probably have a friend or two who throws a little holiday shindig as well. Much as you might like, you can’t just crawl under the covers and wait out your acne problem. You’ve got to go out and mingle with people and doing that with unsightly black spots on your nose or a constellation of pimples on your chin is something no one looks forward to.

Why Holidays Cause an Acne Problem: Hygiene

While having acne doesn’t necessarily mean you have a hygiene problem, hygiene can be an issue in keeping your face clear. If you’re going out to all those holiday events, it may mean you’re wearing makeup more often and for longer, and unless you are wearing non-comedogenic makeup, which is designed specially to prevent contributing to acne, you may be creating a problem for yourself. Many makeups can leave residue on your skin which clogs pores and leads to more acne.

What to Do About Your Holiday Acne Problem

You can do some damage control by simply applying an over the counter benzoyl peroxide solution that you find in your local drugstore to your pimples. Some of these solutions even have cover up that hides the acne as it heals. However, if your acne problem extends to more than a few pimples around the holidays, it may be a better bet to take preventative measures well in advance of the holiday season. An acne care system based on benzoyl peroxide can not only get rid of existing acne, but can prevent new acne from forming. The benzoyl peroxide unclogs the pores and kills the acne causing bacteria deep within the skin. This action makes it less likely that the oil and excess skin debris will lead to acne. Consider starting your routine a few months before the holiday season, and with any luck, you’ll remain acne free through the New Year.