I get asked this question a lot by my clients and the short answer is yes, I would absolutely recommend you change your skincare routine as the seasons change and here are some tips on what to focus on and what ingredients you want to be looking for in your products.
Where to start
Chances are if you are reading this blog then you are interested in taking care of your skin and may already have a routine in place, but if you don’t, that’s okay, we all have to start somewhere and have a read over my previous blogs for advice on this.
The best place to start is with a good moisturiser and SPF to protect you from UVA and UVB rays all year round, regardless of your skin type and what season it is, these two are essential, however, the ingredients you want to be looking for in your skincare products will vary depending on the season.
Seasonal changes
Your skins needs will change several times, it may change with what stage your life is at, for example going through menopause changes your skin, another is seasonal changes. We have just come out of summer and have entered Autumn with Winter looming not so far away. What does that mean? It means the temperature has dropped, the wind and air will be cooler annd central heating will go. This means the air will be dryer and you may now start seeing some discolouration or pigmentation appearing from enjoying the summer sun. All of these things have an impact on your skin health and appearance and the products that you were using in summer, may not be as effective in the cooler Autumn/Winter months.
Autumn and Winter effects
Because the air tends to be cooler outside in the Autumn/Winter months and the central heating goes on too, this means that the air is dryer and therefore your skin may become dry and dehydrated during this time and you may even experience some redness and irritation. If you have ever suffered with eczema, psoriasis, or dry skin previously, you may find it flares up more during winter and that is because of the dryer air indoors and then the extreme contrast of the cold air outside.
What this ultimately means for your skin is that it may need to increase the level of moisture for your skin in the cooler months than it may have needed in summer.
It is also worth considering that your diet may change a little with the seasons and that will also have an impact on your skin. In summer, when it’s hot we tend to eat lighter foods, more salads and less stodge, whereas in winter you may eat heartier meals that give you comfort and make you feel cosy. Also as you approach Christmas it often becomes party season with lots of social gatherings with friends, family and work and therefore you may indulge a little more and have a few more late nights, which again can impact your skin.
Regardless of the season it’s about ensuring your skin feels balanced and is getting the right nutrients it needs to be healthy. Often your skin will tell you when it’s unhappy with being dry, having a little irritation, showing more pigmentation and if you learn to love your skin and listen to what it needs, you can adjust your routine accordingly.
What should you be focusing on in different seasons?
As I said to you earlier, when it comes to changing up your skincare regime, it’s about paying attention to the ingredients that are in your products, as well as lifestyle changes, so here is my advice on what to focus on.
Spring/summer
In spring and summer, the first product you want to ensure you have is a good quality SPF with a minimum protection level of 30. My favourite brand is Aluimer. During the hotter months, make sure you are regularly apply your SPF throughout the day, putting it on once simply isn’t sufficient protection.
You may also want to look at products rich in Vitamin C during the warmer months as it helps to brighten your skin appearance and helps protect against hyperpigmentation, which can be caused by increased exposure to the sun.
A lighter moisturiser may be a good choice and one with high levels of vitamin A and vitamin C is the best choice for these seasons. Why? Because not only do they help brighten and protect your skin, but also with heat often comes sweat and therefore applying lighter products to your face with help reduce breakouts, if this is something you are prone to.
Autumn/Winter
In the cooler months, you will need to ensure your skin has enough moisture and stays hydrated. When your skin is hydrated the overall appearance and texture is improved and fine lines and wrinkles will appear reduced.
Vitamin C isn’t just for summer, it is great for winter too as it will brighten your skin during the duller months when you don’t have as much sunshine and natural Vitamin D from the sun. It will also help to boost collagen production and strengthen your skin barrier, therefore protecting it more from external elements.
Products with hyaluronic acid will also help increase the moisture in your skin as it has the ability to retain moisture within it and will therefore help prevent dryness, increase plumpness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
You may also want to look out for products with emollients in them. They are a group of ingredients that will help soften dry and rough skin by filling the cracks between the skin cells. You will often find these in your moisturiser.
I know many of us enjoy long hot baths in winter, but try not to have it too hot as this does have a dehydrating effect on your skin.
I know this one may be obvious, but increasing your water intake during winter is so important. It’s natural to drink less if you aren’t as hot, you’re not perspiring or being as active, but ensuring you maintain a good level of water intake will work wonders for your skin health and appearance.
What else can I do to protect my skin?
We have talked about what you put into your body is just as important as the products you put on your skin, but if you want an extra level of protection then having regular skincare treatments is of course going to boost your skin health. Things such as peels, facials and other topical treatments on a regular basis as part of your routine are really going to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
If you want like to book a consultation with me to discuss a tailor-made skincare regime and treatment, then you can do so here.