As the weather begins to turn from summer to fall, now is the best time to begin tweaked and adjusting your skincare routine to account for the changing temperatures. In colder climates, warm water can be further drying, while the sun still needs to be avoided in both hot and cold climates. This article will discuss the best way to switch up your skincare to keep your skin looking healthy, hydrated, and nourished in all seasons!
1. Preparing Your Skin for Seasonal Change
As the weather begins to change, it is time to start preparing your skin for the coming season. From dry winter months to hot, humid summer days and everything in between, keeping your skin healthy is important for your overall well-being. Here are some tips to help you transition through the seasonal changes while protecting your skin:
- Start with a gentle cleanser. Look for gentle, oil-based cleansers that won’t strip away natural oils and leave skin feeling tight and dry. This will help ensure that your skin is balanced and healthy.
- Switch to seasonally-appropriate moisturizers. Find a moisturizer specifically designed for your current weather. On temperate or warm days, use a light and oil-free moisturizer, while in the winter months, a heavier cream may work better.
- Choose sun protection all year round. The sun can be damaging regardless of the weather, so make sure to always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. You can also protect your skin from sun damage by covering up with hats, long-sleeved shirts, and sunglasses.
- Don’t forget the lips. Lips are especially sensitive to weather changes, so look for a lip balm with SPF to keep your lips moisturized and protected from the sun.
- Invest in a humidifier. In cold and dry weather, a humidifier will help keep the moisture in the air and prevent your skin from drying out, which can cause flaking and itching.
- Keep drinking water. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy and hydrated no matter the season.
These simple tips will help you keep your skin healthy and well-protected as the weather changes with the seasons. With proper preparation and care, you can make sure your skin stays in top shape all year round.
2. How to Transition Your Skincare Routine
If you’ve decided to switch up your skincare routine, you don’t have to do it all at once. With a bit of knowledge and diligence, you can transition into new products over time.
Step 1: Cleanse with Care
A good, thorough cleansing is essential for any skincare routine. Swap out cleansers slowly over a maximum of 3-4 weeks, starting with a new product at the evening cleanse. Use the following checklist before and during the transition:
• Start by using a skin patch test: Apply a small amount of the cleanser on your arm. Wait a day or two, and check for signs of irritation.
• If you’re debating between two types of cleansers, opt for the version that’s closest to your old cleanser pH-wise.
• While cleansing, always use lukewarm (not hot) water.
• Massage in circular motions, focusing on the eye area.
• Gently remove the cleanser with a soft cloth.
Step 2: Treat Skin with TLC
Once you’ve selected a new serum, toner, and moisturizer, begin the transition process. When introducing new products:
• Space out use of new treatments over the course of a few days.
• If you’re switching to a glycolic acid serum, begin with a lower concentration – no higher than 5%, as higher concentrations can cause burning, dryness, and redness.
• Similarly, opt for a petrolatum-inclusive moisturizer if you’re moving away from a wipe-off cleanser, as this will help your skin retain moisture.
• Follow up with sunscreen during the day.
Step 3: Find the Perfect Products
Once you’ve narrowed down a few product choices, you can trial them one at a time. To make sure that the products work well for your skin:
• Apply a small amount of the product at night. Focus on problem areas, such as blemishes.
• In the morning, assess the results and if everything looks good, you can add the product into your routine.
• Continue this process for each product in your skincare routine.
• If irritation or redness occurs, discontinue use. Visit a dermatologist if you have severe reactions.
3. Benefits of Tailored Skincare for Every Season
It is no secret that summer sunshine and winter cold can take a toll on your delicate skin. And yet, many people fail to adapt their skincare regimen to each season in order to deal with this. Tailoring your skincare to the changing conditions of each season can bring numerous benefits for your skin.
Summer Skin
Summer is the season of strong sunlight and hot weather – both of which damage the skin and leave you vulnerable to sunburn and dehydration. Tailoring your skins care for the summer can help you protect your skin from this damage, as well as from air conditioning and swimming.
- Wear a high-factor sunscreen of SPF30 or higher.
- Choose a light facial moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated.
- Use a gentle exfoliant to help clear away dead skin cells and keep your complexion looking fresh.
Autumn Skin
As the seasons change, the temperature drops and the skin can quickly become dry and flaky. You should customize your skincare regimen for the autumn to help prevent dryness and nourish your complexion.
- Use a richer, oil-based moisturizer to help your skin retain its natural oils.
- Invest in a mild cleanser to help protect against harsh environmental factors such as pollen, dirt and pollution.
- Keep your diet rich in vitamins and minerals, as they help promote healthy skin cell regeneration.
Winter Skin
Winter can be particularly harsh on the skin, as cold temperatures and harsh winds can strip away natural oils and moisture. To keep your skin in prime condition during the winter, tailor your skincare to cope with the season.
- Choose a thicker, richer moisturizer to help your skin lock in moisture during cold weather.
- Opt for gentle exfoliating cleansers to help avoid dry flakiness.
- Don’t forget to protect your skin with SPF, even on cold days.
Spring Skin
As the seasons change again, your skincare routine should too. Spring weather can cause your skin to become dry and sensitive, so you should tailor your skincare to accommodate this.
- Use a thicker, more nourishing moisturizer to help soothe dry skin.
- Gently exfoliate twice a week to help remove dead skin cells and keep your complexion looking fresh.
- Use a gentle facial scrub to brighten dull skin.
Tailoring your skincare for each season is vital in order to maintain healthy skin throughout the year. It can help ensure you have glowing, healthy skin no matter the weather.
4. Simple Steps to Winter Skincare Renewal
Step 1: Refresh
Welcome winter with a refreshing cleanse. It may seem counterintuitive to use warm water during cold weather, but warm water acts to open up the skin allowing your cleanser to effectively dissolve and remove dirt, makeup and oil. Finish each wash off with a splash of cool water to close up the pores, and gently pat the skin dry being sure not to rub the delicate skin.
Step 2: Exfoliate
As the weather changes, skin cells change as well, causing the skin to become naturally more dry. Stimulating your skin through exfoliation increases your skin’s renewal process and will help to leave you with brighter smoother skin. Use a scrub with gentle exfoliators a few times a week for best results.
Step 3: Hydrate
Winter winds work to dry the skin faster than usual, so it’s important to ramp up your moisturizing routine. Hydrating moisture creams act as a protective barrier between your skin and the harsh elements outside. Use a heavier ointment, oil or butter depending on your skin type and apply after cleansing and toning.
Step 4: Tone
Using a toner in the cold weather is especially important to replace the lost hydration your skin suffers when exposed to cold air or low humidity. Look for a toner with natural moisturizers and replenishing ingredients that will deeply hydrate your skin, and help bolster the retention of your moisturizer.
Step 5: Protect
Never leave the house without a protective SPF cream, even if the day is overcast. UV rays will still penetrate your skin causing further damage. Choose an SPF cream with at least an SPF of 30, and reapply throughout the day for extra protection.
Step 6: Nourish
Much like you nourish your body with immune boosting foods and vitamins, give your skin the same treatment. A natural facial oil will help to nourish skin cells and improve circulation which keeps skin clear and resistant to damage.
Now that you know how to adjust your routine with every changing season, you can keep your skin healthy and happy all year round! With a few seasonal-based swaps, you’ll reach your skincare goals, no matter what the weather throws at you!