Differences in temperature, humidity, and lifestyle with changing seasons can have significant impacts on our skin. During the summer, you may be more prone to blemishes. Your skin may be drier in cold, dry weather and you may be more prone to eczema and psoriasis flare-ups. This post will tell you how to keep your skin healthy and happy all year long.
Why The Weather Impacts Our Skin
There are three reasons. For one, it’s an organic shell for our bodies, being impacted both by exposure to the heat, cold, humidity, and dryness in its environment as well as the hydration or lack thereof from within. Another reason is that it adapts to its environment. If it’s warm out, your skin produces more oil to help you stay cool. There’s no more need to do that in cold weather. And lastly, dry air evaporates moisture from the skin faster than humid air.
Should You Change Your Skin Care Routine?
Many experts recommend changing your skincare routine to adapt to the changing seasons. There are both reasons to do so and not do so.
If you have a routine that’s working for you, don’t assume you have to change it just because of the time of year. It’ll be easier on your skin, your stress level, and your wallet to continue doing what works.
Do change your skincare routine if it’s not working. If your skin is dry, flaky, tight, or itchy, or your skin problems are flaring up, your skin does need a change. Make it easier on yourself by changing only the products that aren’t working anymore. You don’t need a complete overhaul unless all of your skin is suffering.
Everyone, no matter their gender or race, needs to use sunscreen all year long. The sun is still delivering harmful UV rays even when it’s winter and most of you are covered up. Protect what is showing.
What To Change To
In the summer, you’ll want gel-based cleansers and lighter moisturizers. Products with hyaluronic acid will help prevent acne. You can probably use more aggressive exfoliators during this time of year.
In the winter, opt for cream or oil-based cleansers and heavier moisturizers. Products with water-trapping agents like glycol or glycerin will help your skin stay hydrated. Opt for gentler exfoliators, and consider chemical-based ones rather than physical ones if your skin won’t tolerate anything else.
Consider Doing Less
If you use more than 6 skincare products daily on your face, you are doing too much. Many people are stressing themselves out and wasting a lot of money buying more products than they need.
You need a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you want to use one or two products that do special things like fight aging or reduce puffiness, that’s fine. You might want a different moisturizer or cleanser at night than you use during the day. Anything else is too much, regardless of the time of year.
Start your skincare journey at Rejuvenation Skin Center
Sometimes skin care requires more than we can do at home. If you have acne, unwanted hair, sun spots, or another troubling issue, our dermatologists can help. Contact us to schedule an appointment.