Winter VS Summer Skincare Routine
Nothing better than a change in weather
As we approach the spring/summer season - the welcome change in the weather from the biting cold to the pleasant warm breeze, the air going from dry and unforgiving to damp and calm - there’s a new sense of liveliness for the new season. Many different changes come with the shifting weather, from spring cleaning, to changes in fashion, and perhaps most importantly for us, changes in skincare routines. Just as you need to leave the cute dresses and sandals to the warmer months and wrap up with layers in the winter, your skin also needs different products as the weather changes.
Spring is sort of like the transitional period between the coldest winter months and the hottest summer months. It is also a good time to start transitioning your skincare routine from winter to summer.
In the summer when the weather is hot and humid with strong sunshine, there is more chance of skin being exposed to UV rays and being prone to oiliness and acne from the higher temperatures. In the winter, on the other hand, the weather is cold and dry, and the harsh cold air along with the hot and dry air from indoor heaters can leave the skin needing some extra hydration. For those who live in areas where the climate doesn’t change that much, this may not be as much of an issue, but for those living in areas with drastic weather changes throughout the year it can be a challenge to figure out how to change up your skincare routine to accommodate these changes.
So what exactly needs to be changed to help your skin be the best it can be?
Through the cold winter months your skin may have gotten accustomed to layers of hydrating serums, thicker moisturizers, and regular mask treatments. This of course is helpful in keeping your skin hydrated and happy when it needs extra protection from harsh dry weather. When spring and summer rolls around, however, you may find that your skin doesn’t need as much protection, and your winter skincare may feel too thick or heavy when the weather starts to get warmer.
In order to keep your skin happy, keeping the basic structure of your skincare routine while changing up some minor details would be the best way to go. Here are some aspects of your skincare routine that you might consider changing as the weather warms up:
1. Cleanser
In the winter you are likely to be using a cleanser that is very gentle on your skin, such as an oil cleanser followed by a gel cleanser. Double cleansing is a great option in the winter as it is a gentle yet effective method of removing all makeup and dirt from your skin whilst keeping it hydrated. In the summer you can change up your cleanser with something like a foaming cleanser which goes deeper into the skin to remove excess oil and dirt.
2. Serums
Serums are a great way to target specific skin issues or to simply improve general skin health. Because of this, serums are a great interchangeable product in any skincare routine. There are serums for anti-aging, serums for brightening, for acne, probably for any type of skin issue that you can think of. In terms of changing with the weather, you might use a more hydrating serum in the winter to prevent your skin from getting too dry, and then switch to a skin barrier serum or an acne treatment serum in the summer, when the weather is more hot and humid and likely to cause oily skin.
3. Masks
Masks, like serums, are another great interchangeable skincare product, because there are different types of mask for different types of skin issues. Masks are usually not something that are used every day but rather done two to three times a week, as needed depending on one’s skin condition. They can also be helpful when dealing with weather-specific skin concerns such as dry skin in the winter and red or irritated skin in the summer. A deeply hydrating and nourishing mask can be used in the winter months, while a more cooling and refreshing mask can be used in the summer months.
4. Cream
Your cream or moisturizer is something that would also change depending on the weather. Because the moisture levels in the air change based on the season, naturally, so does the moisture level of your skin. In the winter season when the weather is harsher and dryer, many people tend to get dry patches of skin, or skin that feels tight and in need of extra moisturization. In the summer however, some climates tend to get much more humid and this can lead to more oily skin. Because of this, changing up your moisturizer based on the season can be helpful to maintaining your skin health. A thicker, heavier moisturizer may be better in winter while a lighter, more gel-like moisturizer could be more suitable for summer.
5. Sunscreen
We surely all know by now that sunscreen should be worn all year round. It is totally fair, however, to use a sunscreen with a slightly lower SPF (such as SPF 30) during the winter months when much of our time is spent indoors. But in the summer, when we are spending more time outdoors and in strong sunlight, it is crucial to have an SPF 50 sunscreen. In summer when you are not wrapped up in thick coats and scarves, it is also particularly important to remember to apply sunscreen to your neck and chest as well, as these areas also get exposed to the sun and are susceptible to signs of aging too.
In summary
Just as you would not wear the same clothes in winter and summer, you would not necessarily use the same skincare products in winter and summer. The weather conditions change not only the condition of your skin but it also can influence how much of your skin is exposed to the external environment and those external factors. We hope that this blog has given you some insight into the changes you might make to your skincare routine as the seasons change. Are there any other changes that you make in your skincare routine between the seasons? Let us know in the comments!