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How to Transition Your Skincare Routine for Each

Here’s a clear, evidence-minded guide to how to transition your skincare routine for each. We’ll keep it practical, gentle, and easy to apply.

Season Your skin’s needs change as the seasons change. Hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters pose very different challenges. By tweaking your routine for the weather , you can keep your skin comfortable year- round.

Here’s how to adjust your skincare as the seasons shift, based on expert advice. Spring – Refresh and Prepare What happens: Spring brings warming temperatures and often higher humidity. Allergens like pollen can also trigger skin reactions.

Your skin may start producing more oil as it recovers from winter dryness, or may still feel tight if spring is dry where you live. Cleanser: Switch to a gentle exfoliating cleanser once or twice a week to remove the dull winter layer of dead skin (e.g., a mild AHA or fruit-enzyme scrub). But keep a creamy or hydrating cleanser if you’re still dry.

Avoid heavy-duty cleansers that strip moisture. Moisturizer: You can often move to a lighter moisturizer as the air gets more humid. For example, switch from a thick winter cream to a gel or lightweight lotion.

A moisturizer with hyaluronic acid is great in spring to keep hydration balanced . Antioxidants: Spring is a great time to add an antioxidant serum (like vitamin C). It helps repair any UV damage from winter activities (skiing, sunbathing on ski trips) and brightens the complexion.

Sunscreen: Start increasing SPF usage as days get sunnier . Even on cooler days, UV can cause damage. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) daily.

Allergy care: If you have spring allergies, rinse your face after being outdoors to wash off pollen. Consider a lightweight hydrating toner or aloe mist to calm any irritation.78 Summer – Light and Protective What happens: Summer often means heat, humidity, sweating, and intense sun exposure. Skin produces more oil in heat, and sweat plus sun can cause clogged pores or heat rash.

Cleanser: Use a gel or foaming cleanser to control extra oil and sweat . A cleanser with salicylic acid (BHA) can help unclog pores and prevent summer breakouts. Moisturizer: Use a very lightweight, oil-free moisturizer or even skip moisturizer in the oiliest areas.

Hydration is still needed, but choose gel-creams or water-based formulas to avoid greasiness . Sunscreen: This is the #1 step. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every single day , reapply often (every 2 hours if in strong sun) .

Consider a water-resistant one if you’re sweating or swimming. Don’t skimp here even if you’re on a budget – protecting against UV is non-negotiable. After-sun care: Post-sun or post-beach, soothe any sun-exposed skin with an aloe or ceramide-rich lotion, which can cool irritation.

Makeup hacks: Use tinted moisturizers or BB creams with SPF for dual function. Exfoliation: Stick to one gentle exfoliation per week to help manage clogged pores (sunscreen and sweat can mix to clog pores). Don’t overdo it, or skin will inflame in the sun.

Powder control: If you get shiny, a mineral powder (talc or cornstarch-free) can be a cheap way to mattify the T-zone without disturbing sunscreen. Expert Tip: Dr . Lamb recommends a light gel cleanser and moisturizer with hyaluronic acid in summer to avoid greasiness .

Also use plenty of antioxidants (vitamin C/green tea) to combat increased free-radical exposure from sun . Fall – Repair and Replenish What happens: As temperatures start to drop and humidity often falls, your skin might shift from oily back toward dry. You might also be recovering from summer sun exposure.

Fall calls for repair and a gradual transition to heavier products. Cleanser: Continue with gentle cleansers. If you did a summer exfoliation routine, start scaling back to 1–2 times weekly as needed.

If sun exposure caused any pigmented spots, you might maintain a gentle AHA serum to even skin tone. Serums: This is a good time to resume or add a night retinol if you paused it in summer (sun + retinol is too harsh). Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) help renew skin texture and collagen after summer’s sun .

Moisturizer: Begin switching back to a richer moisturizer by late fall. You may move from gel to lotion or light cream. Use products with ceramides, peptides, or cholesterol to rebuild any depleted barrier .

Antioxidants: Keep up antioxidants (vitamin C in AM, maybe vitamin E or niacinamide in PM) to continue skin recovery. Sunscreen: Don’t stop SPF – UVA rays still penetrate in fall and winter . Wear at least SPF 30 daily.

Exfoliate carefully: You might notice some flakiness from sun or pollution, so you can continue a gentle exfoliant once a week. But ensure follow with ample moisturizer . Expert Note: Westchester dermatologists advise using antioxidant-rich formulas and gradually switching to heavier creams as the air dries .

They also emphasize not skipping sunscreen on sunny fall days .• 33 34 37 Winter – Repairing and Protecting What happens: Cold air outside and dry heat indoors strip moisture. This can break down the skin barrier , causing dryness, flakiness, irritation, even cracking. Winter routines focus on maximum hydration and protection.

Cleanser: Switch to a mild, soap-free cream cleanser . Avoid foams or harsh detergents that will strip the already scarce moisture . Moisturizer: Use a thick, emollient-rich cream twice daily.

Look for key ingredients: petrolatum (Vaseline), shea butter , ceramides, glycerin, lanolin or dimethicone. These occlusives form a protective seal on the skin. Hand creams and thicker body lotions are also needed for chapped hands and legs.

Barrier repair: Consider barrier-repair creams (ceramide-rich) and even nightly occlusives like Vaseline or Aquaphor on rough patches (knuckles, cheeks) . Humidifier: Use a humidifier in your bedroom to add moisture to the air , easing skin dryness. Exfoliation: If you exfoliated, cut back.

Over-exfoliation in winter will irritate. Light exfoliation once every 2-3 weeks is enough. Sunscreen: Yes, even in winter!

UVA rays contribute to aging year-round, and snow reflects UV as well. Don’t skip SPF 30+ . Hot showers: Avoid very hot water – it strips oils.

Use warm water and moisturize immediately after shower . Lip care: Don’t forget a lip balm with SPF and occlusives (beeswax). From Dr .

John Vine’s advice: In winter , he emphasizes using a heavy cream with ingredients like shea butter or ceramides and even layering an oil or Vaseline at night . He also stresses continuing sunscreen and protecting skin from wind and cold .

Year-Round Essentials

Some steps stay the same every season: Sunscreen Daily: The biggest constant. Always wear SPF 30+ broad-spectrum , even under makeup or moisturizer . Cleanse Gently: Twice daily (AM and PM) with a product suited to your skin type, adjusting its richness by season.

Hydrate and Moisturize: Adjust texture (light in summer , heavy in winter) but never skip it. Listen to Your Skin: If it feels dry or tight, bump up hydration (more occlusive cream or face oils). If it’s greasy or breaking out, lighten up.

Patch Change: When moving seasons, introduce or remove products gradually rather than all at once. This lets your skin adapt without shock. In summary: As the season warms, lean on lighter , oil-control products; as it cools, layer on richer , repairing ones .

Simple tweaks – swapping a cleanser here, a moisturizer there – can keep your skin healthy and comfortable all year .

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