Should I Adjust My Skincare Routines with the Changing of the Seasons?

Skincare matters. You likely have a daily skincare routine full of your favorite products. However, as the seasons change, you may notice different skin issues. For example, you may experience drier skin as the winter months begin. Then, sun exposure may cause sensitive skin and dark spots in the summer. So should you adjust your skincare routine as the seasons change? In short, yes.

We know that in the winter, the weather is very dry. The humidity is very low, and in the summer, the exact opposite is true where the humidity is high. So, it tends to be hot and sticky. So we need to change our skincare regimen based on that. Additionally, for residents of Northeast Ohio, the change in sun intensity each season is something that affects skincare.  

However, all individuals should include SPF sunscreen in their skincare routine, according to this dermatologist. Products with high SPF are perhaps one of the only universally necessary skincare ingredients you need to protect your skin from UV exposure. No matter the season, UV rays can still damage your skin. Sunscreen protects you from these cancer-causing rays and prevents premature aging.

Each person has different skin concerns. Sensitivity, oil production, environment, acne, and more factors all influence how your skin responds to changing seasons. An individual with oily skin living in Florida will have a different skincare routine than someone with dry skin living in Ohio.

How Do I Create a Skincare Routine? What Should My Daily Skincare Routine Include?

Skincare routines depend heavily on the different skin types. Most people fall into one of three broad categories: oily, dry, or a combination of both. Once you figure out your skin type, you need to add a sunscreen moisturizer to your routine. Naturally, your skin type will influence which sunscreen you purchase. However, regardless of skin type, everyone should use sunscreen.

Now you can begin defining your skincare goals. Acne, texture, dark spots, and aging represent common issues that you can address with your skincare routine.

So, where does your routine start? Most of us began washing our faces around middle school. However, we should all start our routine with a good facial cleanser, no matter our age.

Twice daily, in the morning and night, cleanse your skin with a wash suited to your skin type. Foaming, deep-cleansing products may work for someone with oily skin. If you have dry skin, you might prefer a more hydrating cleanser. Identify a cleanser suited to your skin type and start there. Cleansing daily removes dead skin cells, makeup, and other materials that can clog pores.

Next, you can incorporate targeted, active ingredients to tackle your specific skincare goals. For example, retinol aids in skin cell turnover and can improve the signs of aging and texture. You can usually find this ingredient in a night cream. Most products have different types of retinol, so you’ll want to identify which kind of retinol works best for you.

Vitamin C serum can also benefit your routine. This antioxidant helps brighten and even out your skin tone. If you have dark spots from sun exposure or acne scars, Vitamin C can help rejuvenate your skin with a natural, healthy glow.

To reduce redness and inflammation, you can look for products that contain salicylic acid. This ingredient helps shed dead cells from the top layer of skin. Similar to cleansing, this ingredient can help clear your pores and decrease the appearance of acne.

When Should I Change My Skincare Routine? Do You Really Need to Swap Your Skincare Seasonally?

Much like the seasons, your skincare routine can change intuitively. Spring and fall mark the most significant seasonal changes in climate, so you should adjust your routine during these times. The change in humidity during those transitions has the most significant impact on your skincare routine.

As such, when we go into that spring and summer season, I typically recommend, if your skin can tolerate it, using a foaming wash. That tends to be a little bit more drying, but it also tends to help with cleansing the skin a little bit better. In the fall, we might switch to a hydrating wash.

For seasonal skincare adjustments, consider using more moisture-rich products in colder weather and more deep-cleansing products in warmer weather. Winter air dries the skin, so you want to prevent dryness and flaking. Summer heat causes sweat production, so you want to prevent clogged, dirty pores.

Are There General Rules of Thumb or Seasonal Skincare Tips for Transition Between Seasons?

When you transition your skincare routine, consider how the humidity changes. As the humidity increases, you might want to use products that ordinarily could cause a dry patch. For example, some people find that retinol can dry and irritate their skin. So, in the warm, humid months, you might want to incorporate more retinol into your routine.

Then, as the humidity goes away and the air gets cold and dry, you might want to incorporate thicker products. Ordinarily, heavy products can make our skin feel oily and greasy. However, these products can help us achieve our healthiest skin after the temperature drops.

That said, keep in mind that if you have extremely oily skin, you may not need a moisturizer. Our skin is very good at trying to correct itself. So if it’s doing that and you don’t need your moisturizer, I wouldn’t use one.

 Do you have more questions about changing your skincare routine as the weather changes? Our board-certified dermatologists can help you determine the best routine for your skin, no matter the season. Reach out to Dermatology, Surgery, and Cosmetics of Northeast Ohio to schedule your consultation today.