Seasonal Self-Care: Incorporating Changing Seasons into your Skincare Routine

Does your skin feel drier in winter or greasier in summer? You’re not alone—our skin changes with the seasons, and understanding these shifts is key to keeping it healthy year-round.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and is highly responsive to environmental changes.

Seasonal transitions tend to have a significant impact on your skin's hydration levels, texture and overall health. Each shift in weather brings with it variations in humidity, temperature and exposure to external stressors like UV radiation or wind, and often necessitates tailored care.

Meeting with the demands of your skin can appear overwhelming and that is why we are here to encourage you to take your first step with us.

The first step begins with knowing what changing season does to your skin. The heat of the summer season reacts to your skin differently than the dryness of the winter. Let’s take a look:

What Harsh Climates Do to Your Skin

How Cold Weather Affects Your Skin

Cold temperature, low humidity and harsh winds that come with winter have significant effects on your skin.

The cold air with lower moisture levels lead to a decrease in your skin’s hydration and this effect gets worse through indoor heating, further reducing humidity.

The skin’s protective barrier of natural oils gets stripped away faster in cold weather, making it harder for it to retain water. Lips, hands, face and other exposed areas of your body are prone to chapping and cracking because of dry air and wind.

Moreover, cell turnovers are slowed down during winters which results in the build-up of dead skin cells on the surface. This contributes to an uneven skin tone and lacklustre complexion that many people complain about during winters.

Low levels of natural moisture and protection during winters can also lead to premature aging due to loss of collagen and elastin over time. This starts to manifest itself with conditions such as sagging and the appearance of fine lines.

Summer’s Impact on Your Skin

On the other hand, summer warmth and outdoor activities, along with longer days, carries with itself its own unique challenges for your skin.

Extended exposure to sun and UV radiation can lead to sunburn, photoaging characterized by fine lines, wrinkles etc. It also causes excess production of melanin, the skin’s natural defence mechanism, contributing to tan and uneven pigmentation.

Prolonged UV exposure contributes to adding a significant risk of skin cancers, mainly melanoma and non-melanoma types. Humidity and high temperature cause the sebaceous glands’ to produce excessive amounts of oil, which, once mixed with sweat, dust and dead skin cells, triggers problems like clogged pores, acne breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads etc. Increased amounts of perspiration also results in the loss of water and essential minerals. The protective skin barrier weakens, leaving it more vulnerable to environmental stressors.

These are only few of the complaints amidst the numerous that dermatologists receive due to the shift in seasons and their extreme weather. Once we understand what effects our skin and how, the next step is to find remedies and solutions. While we suggest contacting your dermatologists for any serious issue, we provide you here some basic tips to maintain a healthy skin during the odds of summers and winters:

WINTER SKINCARE TIPS:

1.    Moisturise your skin: Try to use a rich, oil-based moisturizer to keep dryness locked away and stay hydrated. Apply moisturizer immediately after showering or washing your face to seal in moisture.

2.    Stay hydrated: Even if you don’t feel thirsty, make sure to drink water regularly as hydrated skin comes from within. Try to incorporate herbal teas, water rich foods like oranges, cucumbers, celery etc.

3.    Exfoliate, but gently: Exfoliation is necessary to remove dead skin cells which make the skin dry and flaky, but try being gentle so as to not irritate sensitive winter skin. Opt for lukewarm water instead of hot water as the latter strips the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated.

4.    Protect your skin: Apply sunscreen everyday, even when it’s cloudy. The use of balms that include healing ingredients like petroleum jelly, lanolin or aloe vera is important. Wearing gloves, scarves and caps protects you from cold winds as well as from chapping.

5.    Maintain a healthy diet: No matter what season it is, a healthy diet is a must for healthy skin. Incorporate foods rich in vitamin-C, omega 3 etc. in your diet to nourish your skin with essential minerals and fats. 

SUMMER SKINCARE TIPS:

1.    Apply sunscreen religiously: During summers, sunscreen should be your constant companion. Apply at least SPF 30 when going out and remember to reapply every 4-5 hours, if still outside. Incorporating it in your daily routine helps you boost your skin health.

2.    Stay hydrated: Hydration is an important aspect of any skincare routine. During summers, eat water-rich food like watermelon, mangoes, celery, tomatoes, cucumber, coconut water and other kinds of fruit juices too.

3.    Protect your skin: Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible, especially during peak sunlight hours. Always carry an umbrella while going out. Choose fabrics with UV protection and try to include sunglasses, hats, and light long sleeved dresses in your fashion.

4.    Prevent clogged pores: Clogged pores and skin breakouts are two of the most common complaints of summer season. Wear breathable clothes to minimize sweat. Also, cleansing skin after sweating is a must. Further, try avoiding heavy makeup and choosing lightweight and minimal products to prevent clogging of skin.

5.    Maintain a healthy diet: A healthy diet looks varies throughout different seasons. In summers, try eating more leafy vegetable greens, nuts and food rich in antioxidants like berries to protect skin from the heat and affect. Cooling and detoxifying food like yogurt, lemon etc also help a lot during summers.

 Maintaining healthy skin year-long can be a challenging and demanding task, but it doesn’t really have to be when you have the basics right. Be it the scorching summers or shivering winter, a smooth and glowing skin is only a step away from the right research and intent. To help you battle the drastic shifts in your skin as it reacts to its environment outside, we bring to you our range of natural products to give you a perfect base to your skincare journey. Our range of natural products is designed to complement your skincare routine, helping you maintain radiant skin through every season. Explore our products here.