Did you know that you have to start switching up your skin routine in between seasons? The changing of the seasons are some of the most beautiful times of the year. But, the shift from one season to the next comes with environmental and weather changes that are likely to wreak havoc on your skin. Let’s explore how the skin reacts differently based on the changes with the season, and the most effective skin care products to use to protect your skin. 

How Do Seasonal Changes Affect The Skin? 

If you’re noticing that your skin is drier and more irritated than normal, or it’s lost its luster, it might be due to the arrival of a new season. Depending on where you live, seasonal weather changes may be dramatic or mild. Regardless of severity, you’re likely to notice that your skin has different needs in the cooler months than in the warmer parts of the year. The effect that seasonal shifts have on our skin is most pronounced when summer fades into fall, and again when winter turns into spring. But this can happen anytime that there is a noticeable change in weather and humidity, and more frequently if you live somewhere with four distinct seasons.

Skin appreciates consistency. Think about a time you discovered a skin care product you truly loved. While you may have enjoyed this product after your first use, you likely didn’t see the full effect until you had been using this product for a while. Your skin needs time to adjust to products as well as the environment. So, in the middle of summer, your skin is more accustomed to sun, heat, and humidity than it is in early spring. Similarly, in September, your skin is still adjusting to the seasonal change whereas by February, you’ve likely eased into a winter skin care routine.

What Are Some Common Changes To The Skin? 

Whether you love or hate the chill in the air, there are some challenges you’ll likely have to address to maintain your skin’s health. As summer comes to a close, your skin is coping with dropping temperatures, cool wind, rain and snow for the first time in several months. Fall’s brisk weather comes along with a drop in humidity and your skin reacts by becoming tight, dry, dehydrated, or even flaky and irritated. While your skin may feel drier than normal, it’s unlikely that your actual skin type will change. All skin, including oily and combination, can experience dehydration and irritation brought on by cold weather.

As winter arrives, the dry skin issues you noticed may be intensified by even cooler temperatures and more extreme weather. This can be exacerbated by changes in your lifestyle. Many of us turn to artificial sources of heat in our homes or a steamy shower or bath to help escape the cold. Both central heating and exposure to hot water can further strip skin of its natural oils, and you may find your skin becomes dry, cracked and flaky.

When we welcome spring and summer once again, you may deal with a different array of skin issues brought on by warmer weather. The level of humidity in the air increases when the sun emerges and the heat hits. You may notice a spike in oil production, acne breakouts, plus sun damage from too much tanning!  

Seasonal Skin Care Tips 

You may be thinking about making changes to your routine to help maintain your skin’s health. To help get you started, you can watch this In The Mix video to see how Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar suggests changing your skin care routine seasonally. 

Read on for our top tips and recommendations for adapting your skin care products accordingly.

Moving Into Spring

Spring brings with it an array of unique skin issues. With everything in bloom, allergies can kick in to defend your body against pollen, leaving you with itchy skin, a runny nose and watery eyes. Moving into spring, Natalie recommends balancing your skin with the Cornflower Recovery Serum. This light gel formula is gentle during allergy season with chamomile, clary sage, cornflower and seabuckthorn. Chamomile and clary sage balance the look of skin while cornflower and seabuckthorn leave your skin feeling smooth, firm, and youthful-looking.

If you’re experiencing breakouts, wearing makeup such as heavy foundation might clog up your pores. This is more likely to happen if you’re forgetting to cleanse and wash makeup off regularly. You can view our range of cleansers that will leave your skin feeling refreshed and balanced.  

Winter And Fall Options 

For the colder months, we suggest putting aside your lightweight summer cleanser for one that’s rich and nourishing. This should help replenish your skin as you wash. The Stone Crop Gel Wash, ideal for all skin types (including sensitive), balances the skin and removes impurities for a bright, fresh appearance. For normal to dry skin types, our Coconut Milk Cleanser is also an ideal choice. This cleanser nourishes dry skin with hydration as it improves elasticity for a youthful radiance. 

When moving from warmer to cooler months, you may notice your skin becoming dry and irritated. We suggest reducing the frequency that you exfoliate. Instead, reach for a mask or facial serum to improve dryness. One option we love for dry skin is the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can hold hundreds of times its weight in water. When applied to the face, it draws moisture into your skin, providing long-lasting hydration. 

For combo and oily skin, a great fall and winter option is the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate. This concentrate gently refines the skin’s texture, revitalizing your complexion through the winter when skin often looks dull. For an evening routine, try the Lotus Detoxifying Overnight Treatment. Formulated with lotus, detoxifying microgreens, and spheres of jojoba oil, this treatment protects skin from environmental stressors that come along with the shifting seasons. This night cream also offers a boost of revitalizing moisture to all skin types.

The Stone Crop Hydrating Gel is a great winter staple for all skin types, especially sensitive and hyperpigmented skin. Crafted with stone crop, bearberry extract and green tea, this gel hydrator calms irritation, evens skin tone and offers moisture without leaving skin greasy.

When Summer Returns 

With the warmer months, your skin can become a little oilier. From our Beyond Organic line, the Echinacea Recovery Cream softens, regenerates and restores normal to oily skin. This creamy leave-on moisturizer is made with Biodynamic® echinacea, yarrow herb, and aloe vera to revitalize and reduce the signs of irritation. Natalie also recommends the Lavender Age Corrective Night Concentrate. Formulated with argan oil, jojoba oil and shea butter, this concentrate is very moisturizing and helps your skin adapt. 

When the heat returns in spring and summer, you can switch back to lighter skin care products that help target oil levels and problem skin. However, there is one item you shouldn’t drop in the fall and winter. SPF! Though you may think of this as a summer staple, you can still incur sun and UV damage in the cool fall and winter months. To avoid sun and UV damage plus premature aging, it’s vital to include sunscreen in your routine all year round. 

While shifts in the seasons and weather are beyond our control, how we care for our skin is in our hands. Understanding how the different seasons affect your skin — and how your needs may change — will help you choose which products to include in your seasonal skin care routine. You can also speak to an Eminence Spa Partner near you to get professional guidance on your seasonal skin care needs. Tailoring your ritual to match the seasons can help you get healthy and glowing skin throughout the year.  

How do you switch up your skin care seasonally? What are your favorite products for fall and winter? Let us know in the comments below!