The Scientific Reason Your Skin Freaks Out When the Weather Changes

Just like the Mothman or a hole-in-the-wall place that makes the best turmeric-activated-charcoal-oat-milk latte in the city, word-of-mouth can be important for shaping the narrative surrounding an elusive thing—and for the dermatological phenomenon known as the "weather-induced spot," or WIS, the anecdotal evidence is strong. Like when the temperature suddenly turns, in a day, from Indian summer to deep-freeze February, and the next morning, you wake with an itchy, irritated new friend on your cheek. Or when you go on vacation and board your flight home with a second personal item: a scabbed-over zit, because a (careful, hygienic) extraction > leaving well enough alone, even if we know better.

Most of us have had an encounter with the WIS, but few have taken action beyond sighing and slapping on some Glossier Stretch Concealer (until you can have a steam and a go at the annoying bump). No more speculation, though—here, Mona Gohara, MD, dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale, uncovers the WIS.

Is the WIS a real, scientifically-recognized thing?

Okay, no, Gohara says, as far as studies go, but seasonal changes are definitely real. "As it becomes warmer, the combination of sweat and oil production makes one a bit more prone to acne," Gohara says. "And when it is cold, and the wind hits your skin or the icy temps are abundant, the skin barrier becomes compromised and more likely to be inflamed." So if you take these proven effects but introduce a turbulent meteorological situation—including self-caused ones like travel to a drastically different climate—the logical conclusion is...these proven effects but possibly worse. QED.

If I have been personally victimized by the WIS, what can I do to improve my quality of life?

As the sports people say, "The best defense is a good offense." Same goes for WIS prevention. Gohara says she recommends adding on a moisturizing serum with hyaluronic acid and swapping out your summertime lightweight lotion for a cream. (The reverse for when cold turns to warm, plus a double cleanse when it gets super muggy.)

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Elsewhere, Gohara also says to watch how many king-size Reese's/slices of pie/those candy-cane butter mints you eat, as sugar can increase blood cortisol levels, thus triggering breakouts. And get some rest, you filthy animal—beauty sleep might just be the best WIS-slayer of all.