How To Update Your Skin Care Routine For Seasonal Changes

A new season can mean a fresh start. New foods, new clothes and new rituals are part of the shift. But what about skin care? Did you know that switching up your skin routine based on the time of year will help make the transition easier? The progress from one season to the next comes with environmental and weather changes that are likely to wreak havoc on your complexion if not addressed ahead of time. Let’s explore how the skin reacts differently based on what’s happening outside, and the most effective skin care products to use to ease into each new time of year. 

How Do Seasonal Changes Affect The Skin? 

If you’re noticing that your skin is drier, more irritated or less glowy than normal, it might be due to the arrival of a new season. Depending on where you live, seasonal weather changes may be dramatic. Regardless of severity, you’re likely to notice that your skin has different needs in the cooler months than at warmer times 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 to 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 effects until you had been using it 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 to fall, but February, you’ve likely eased into a winter skin care routine and you’ve made adjustments to deal with the cold, dry air outside and the hot dry air being pumped into your home and office.

What Are Some Common Changes To The Skin? 

Summer To Fall 

Whether you’re a die-hard sweater-weather enthusiast or not, there are some challenges you’ll likely have to address to maintain your skin’s health as the hot days of summer shorten up and cool down. Suddenly, come autumn, your skin is coping with dropping temperatures, cool wind and rain for the first time in several months. Fall’s brisk weather comes along with a drop in humidity and your skin could react by becoming tight, dry, dehydrated, flaky or 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.

Fall To Winter

As winter arrives, the dry skin issues you noticed creeping in may be intensified by even cooler temperatures and more extreme weather. Snow, you’re beautiful but not always great for the complexion. This can be exacerbated by changes in your lifestyle. Many of us turn to artificial sources of heat in our homes or a long, hot 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, itchy, cracked and flaky. 

Winter To Spring

The days are starting to get longer and less frigid and things feel lighter and brighter. Oh, but wait, there are a few hurdles to clear before spring really gets good. Your skin is coming out of a long, dry winter and that means it’s time to recover and rebalance things. That parched skin is ready to be restored. The trees and flowers are starting to bloom, which is gorgeous, but can trigger seasonal allergies. Opting for products that are lightweight with gentle or no fragrance can help keep those extra sensitive types a little more comfortable. 

Spring To Summer

Just as the cold of winter can cause skin havoc, a whole new crop of skin issues can be 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 (any) tanning! Obviously this is the time to amp up your already robust SPF routine. More time outdoors, more sun sneaking through car and office windows, plus more patio cocktail sessions all add up to more potential for sun damage. 

Seasonal Skin Care Tips 

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 Fall 

For the cooler 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. 

For combo and oily skin, a great fall option is the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate. This light serum gently refines the skin’s texture, revitalizing your complexion through the fall when skin often looks dull. For an evening routine, try the Marine Flower Peptide Night Cream. It protects the 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 — which is the perfect antidote for a parched post-summer complexion.

Winter Options 

When moving into the cooler months, you may notice your skin becoming dry and irritated. We suggest reducing the frequency of your exfoliating. Instead, reach for a mask or facial serum to improve dryness. One option we love for dry skin is the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic 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, which is just what your winter skin is craving. 

The Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer is a great winter staple for all skin types. Crafted with hydrating stone crop, Vitamin C-packed lemon and corn germ oil, this rich hydrator improves the appearance of dark spots and offers major moisture.

Moving Into Spring

As mentioned, 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, it may be a sign that your skin isn’t as happy as you to see the spring season. It’s gotten used to winter and needs a minute to adjust. Again, switching up your cleanser could help. Moving from something that’s super moisturizing to a lighter cleanser could be your ticket back to Glow-town. You can view our range of cleansers that will leave your skin feeling refreshed and balanced.  

When Summer Returns 

With the warmer months, your skin can become a little oilier. From our Beyond Organic line, the Echinacea Recovery Cream softens 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 outside ramps back up in the 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 sunburn 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 Organics 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! And if you would like some help choosing products to help the seasonal shifts run smoothly, book an appointment at your nearest Eminence Organics spa.