Summer vs. Winter Skin Care: How Should Your Routine Differ?

Summer vs. Winter Skin Care: How Should Your Routine Differ?

The changing seasons change more than just the weather. As the days get shorter, darker, and colder, so too do we change our habits to better suit the encroaching winter. And, just as you switch your wardrobe to ward off that awful bite in the wind or make the most of the summer sun, your skincare routine should also evolve to ward off the difficulties borne by winter’s dry air or summer’s humidity.

Put simply, the hot, humid summer months and the cold, dry winter months can have vastly different effects on your skin. Adapting your routine is nothing short of crucial to maintaining a healthy skin barrier, a balanced complexion, and an unbothered demeanor year-round; how do you address the seasonal difficulties faced by your skin as the seasons change, though?

Cleansing and Exfoliation

It’s only natural that we start with a foundational part of the skincare equation: cleansing. This is the preliminary phase to every skincare routine, or it should be, at least, if you know what you’re doing! This stage exists to prepare your skin for more aggressive treatments and to create the ideal canvas for your makeup routine; it’s there to remove pollutants and dead skin for a clean and clear basis from which to start the rest of your routine.

In the summer, your skin produces more natural oils; as such, you may benefit more from stronger purifying and foaming cleansers. In the winter, your skin produces fewer natural oils, meaning such cleansers are likely to take too much away and ultimately dry your skin out. Hence, for colder weather, you should switch to more hydrating, creamy, or oil-based formulas.

Hydration and Moisturizing

Speaking of hydration, moisturizers are amongst the most important bellwether products you can invest in for your skin. Dryness is the root cause for so many issues, from decreased elasticity to increased wrinkles to weaker surface skin and beyond. There are two distinct types of moisturizer for you to bear in mind here: lightweight, water-based moisturizers and heavier, emollient-rich creams.

A lightweight gel or lotion would be the perfect choice for summer, where a cream could clog your pores and create more issues later down the line. Conversely, a thicker, occlusive cream is necessary in winter to lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier from the dry air.

Targeted Treatments and Serums

No one’s skin is exactly the same as anyone else’s, which is why your own skincare routine should be exactly that, yours. Different skin types require different approaches, especially when it comes to the active ingredients in targeted treatment products used in professional skincare.

The summer could be an ideal time for using serums containing antioxidants like vitamin C, if you are particularly sensitive to sun damage; if you experience hyperpigmentation in the summer sun too, you might find it useful to fold skin brightening products that contain ingredients like niacinamide or alpha arbutin into your weekly routine. Meanwhile, in the colder months, it might benefit you to introduce or increase the use of retinoids, which conversely can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Year-Round Sun Protection Is Essential

A word of warning here, though: regardless of the season, the sun poses a health risk to you. UV rays pose a risk to your skin year-round, and you should be applying high-performance sunscreen regularly accordingly.