Don’t Fall Into the Same Skincare Routine Each Season

The warm days of summer are officially fading away. If the cooler temperatures didn’t alert you, maybe you’ve noticed your skin changing. Is your summer Glow Up fading? Has your skin started to feel drier than normal? Are you applying lip balm every five minutes?

Even though you’ve worked all summer to perfect your skincare routine, it may be time to switch up your products. As the seasons change, pay close attention to what your skin is trying to tell you. If your skin isn’t reacting to the products you’ve been using, you should consider creating a new seasonal regimen.

When it comes to skincare, no one has all the answers, but here are a few of the most popular questions I’ve received as the cooler weather approaches.

Why does my skin dry out during the cooler months of the year?

Cooler temperatures mean the air is drier, making dry skin even drier. The moment you step outside, the cool air pulls moisture right out of your skin. Not to mention, when you step inside your home or car, you expose your skin to dry indoor heat that also reduces your skin’s moisture.

How does cold weather affect my melanin-rich skin?

Melanin rich skin tones tend to deal with a unique set of skincare challenges during the wintertime. For example, your skin may feel dry but you’re still breaking out. Your dark spots caused by hyperpigmentation may seem darker or more prevalent. And your dry skin may be harder to conceal than those with fairer skin. Sound familiar? It’s important to recognize that all skin types are unique and find the products that are designed with yours in mind for each season.

What skincare tips do you suggest for the fall and winter months?

I love apple cider and huge, baggy sweaters as much as the next person but I know firsthand that winter skin reminds me fairly quickly that I will have to take the good with the bad. However, you can face the season with confidence if you keep these tips in mind:

1. Reduce exfoliation. When your skin feels dry, you may have the impulse to reach for your favorite exfoliator. This is not the case when it’s cold outside. Over-exfoliating during fall and winter can lead to inflammation and, in darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation. This doesn’t mean you have to cut exfoliating out of your routine until spring, just be mindful that you may not need to do it as often.
2. Cut back on shower time. Who doesn’t love jumping in a long hot shower after a cold commute? Trust me, I know. But the truth is, exposing your skin to hot water for long periods of time during cold months can cause irritation and your skin to dry out even further.
3. Squeeze in extra moisturizer. When it’s cold outside, your skin is extra thirsty for moisturizer. Most pump lotions contain water and alcohol which prevents your skin from being truly moisturized. Find a cream moisturizer and apply generously, especially after every shower. Combo skin? Try applying a light moisturizer to your T-zone and a heavier formula to the other areas of your face.
4. Increase Vitamin C. Your skin may not seem as bright when it’s cold outside, after all, you’re not getting as much sun exposure as you did during the summer. But don’t let that stop your Glow Up. Instead, look for a face serum packed with Vitamin C that will act as a brightening agent. Not to mention, Vitamin C has been proven to lighten dark spots for those affected by hyperpigmentation.
5. Lather your lips. Your skin isn’t the only feature on your body that’s thirsting for attention. Your lips can become especially chapped when the temperature drops. Find a lip moisturizer that will shield and protect your lips from the brisk air.
6. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen. Puzzled? I was too. Even though the days are shorter during the fall and winter months, don’t be fooled. The sun UVA and UVB rays can still harm your skin. So grab a daily moisturizer complete with SPF that will shield against the sun’s harmful rays, prevent dark marks and reduce uneven skin tone.

Don’t wear winter depression on your skin or face all season long. Instead, winterize your skincare routine by taking the above tips into consideration and you’ll be rocking a year-long glow in no time.

For other tips and product line suggestions, visit our Glow-Up Guide!