In a word? Absolutely. Weather, humidity and temperature changes, sun exposure, and other seasonal changes certainly impact the skin differently from season to season. And as a result, your skincare routine should adapt.
Let’s take a further look at this with some questions and answers about your skincare routine and the changing seasons.
How Does Winter and Summer Affect the Skin?
Winter brings cold, dry weather with it, and this can leave your skin dry and cracked. Warm, hot indoor interiors also contribute to the dehydrated effect. Dryness leads to a build-up of excess dry skin, which can clog your pores and cause your skin to break out or flare up.
Summer, on the other hand, has its own challenges for your skin. As humidity and temperature increase, your skin can become oily and heavy, and dead skin cells become trapped on the surface of your skin. Oily skin can get worse in the summer months and can clog pores. Summer also usually means you’ll be more exposed to the sun, which damages the skin.
What Season Requires the Most Sun Protection?
The answer is: all of them. Even if it’s cold and cloudy outside you can suffer a sunburn and significant skin damage. Especially when there’s snow or water, the reflection of the sun bounces back on the skin and can be intense. A physical sunblock such as Defend (DEFEND – Weber Facial Plastic Surgery (weberskin.com) are highly effective at blocking UV-A and UV-B radiation reducing the risk of sunburn, skin cancer, melanoma, and wrinkles.
What Season is the Most Drying?
Winter is the most drying season for the skin. Dry skin begins or gets worse during the winter months when the humidity level drops. The water in your skin evaporates more quickly when the air is cold and dry. This makes your skin flaky and can cause it to feel dry and tight.
What Measures are Required in the Winter? Summer?
Winter
During the winter, shift to a gentler facial cleanser that won’t dry out your skin. Hydrating topical treatments, such as Quench (QUENCH – Weber Facial Plastic Surgery (weberskin.com) are also critically important. For those with oily skin, stick to a light moisturizer. If you do exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, be gentle. Use a serum that gives your skin the hydration it needs to avoid dry patches.
Summer
During warm summer months, switch to a more lightweight moisturizer, which avoids product build up. You still need hydration for your skin but drinking plenty of water in the warmer seasons is the most effective way to achieve this.
Use a gentle, oil-removing cleanser to control excess oiliness. Vitamin C is a good part of your skincare routine year-round, but it’s especially important in the summer because it can prevent hyperpigmentation and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can layer a vitamin C serum on your face after cleansing and before you moisturize. Revive (REVIVE – Weber Facial Plastic Surgery (weberskin.com) fills this need perfectly and is tolerated by all skin types.
Is Sunscreen Required Year-Round?
YES. Wear your sunscreen all year.
Is Retin-A Good Year-Round?
Absolutely. However, Retin-A can dry out the skin in the winter, so watch for that. Retin-A can also make your skin more sensitive to a sunburn so ensure that you are diligent applying Defend. Retin-A containing products are among the most beneficially and intensively studied skincare products available. We can compound a custom formulation of our Retin-A product, Brighten (BRIGHTEN, 35 G – Weber Facial Plastic Surgery (weberskin.com), specifically created for your skin type and concerns.
When are Aggressive Chemical Peels and Ablative Lasers Most Appropriate?
The best time for a chemical peel or ablative laser treatments is winter. This is the season where your exposure to the sun is lessened, so winter is the ideal season for a deeper, more aggressive skincare treatment. Chemical peels also address and remedy dryness very effectively.