DOES YOUR SKIN CHANGE WITH THE SEASONS?

The short answer is yes. Seasonal changes come with a switch in humidity, temperature, wind and sun exposure. All of these factors can affect your skin. This is why you may notice your skin becomes drier in colder months and slightly more oily in the warmer months. The fluctuations in temperature and humidity can disrupt your skin barrier, leading to sensitive skin and even skin concerns, such as breakouts. Below are our skincare tips to seamlessly switch from winter skincare to summer skincare, depending on the season.

WINTER TO SPRING SKIN CARE TIPS

Winter weather has officially come to a halt and spring is taking over in full force. With winter came freezing temperatures, needing you to update your wardrobe and beauty shelf. The cold winter air had its special beauty needs but as the winter blues disappear so should your winter skincare routine. To prepare for a blooming spring and achieve a glowing complexion all year round, you'll have to craft your winter skin care regime to the warmer weather.

1. EXFOLIATE

Your heavy pieces of clothing from the winter months shouldn't be the only thing you shed this season. You have to shed that dull and dry winter skin too. 

Certified dermatologists say we need to slow down on exfoliation during winter to avoid irritating our skin. In Spring, the layers of dead skin cells that may have piled up during colder days need to be sloughed off. Your spring skincare routine for exfoliation should involve using either physical or chemical exfoliants. But remember that over-exfoliating your skin can cause irritation and inflammation. Exfoliate twice weekly or if you have dry skin in spring only exfoliate once a week.

2. TRANSITION TO LIGHTER MOISTURIZERS

In spring, you'll have to bid your favourite heavy moisturizer and serums farewell.  What felt like a miracle cream to combat dry skin in winter may be too rich in springtime. This is because they’re rich in emollients to prevent moisture loss from your skin. As the temperature rises, you'll sweat more and your skin may feel greasy after applying a thick moisturizer to your face. Swap heavy lotions for gel moisturizers or lightweight facial oils, that absorb quickly into your skin.

As the temperature warms up your skin loses water faster than usual, leading to skin dehydration. Therefore, the best moisturizer for summer is one rich in Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMFs) such as hyaluronic acid and linoleic acid. These ingredients keep your skin hydrated by reducing evaporation of moisture from your skin.  

3. USE SUN PROTECTION DAILY

Warmer months mean more sun exposure. But remember the sun’s UV rays are present all year long, with prolonged exposure resulting in emerging fine lines and wrinkles. Wear sunscreen daily to keep skin healthy all year round and increase the dosage as the days get hotter and longer. A broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen will shield your skin from harmful UV rays.

4. INFUSE ANTIOXIDANTS INTO YOUR BEAUTY ARSENAL

Antioxidants protect your skin against free radicals. These destructive radicals are released from the sun’s UV rays and air pollution. They destroy your skin in a process called oxidative stress, resulting in sun damage, premature skin aging and even skin cancer in the long run.  

By neutralising free radicals, antioxidants protect your skin from the signs of premature ageing. Some high-performance antioxidants your skin needs are vitamin E and vitamin C. These vitamins work as the ultimate power couple, boosting one another’s antioxidant effects. (1)

5. SPRING CLEAN YOUR SKINCARE STOCKPILE

Often overlooked but essential is a clean beauty tool. As you embark on spring cleaning at home this season, it’s crucial to also spring clean your beauty stash. Dirty beauty tools breed bacteria, which transfer to your face and clog your pores, so make sure you regularly clean your makeup brushes, facial cloths and tools. 

Get rid of any beauty products that are past their expiration date. Look for the period-after-opening (PAO) symbol, which looks like like an open tub. This tells you how many months your product lasts after opening. 

SPRING TO SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE

During summertime the burning heat, humidity and intense ultraviolet rays can take a toll on your skin. If you’re asking yourself “how can I update my summer skincare routine?” stay put. Here are five tips to keep skin healthy in summer regardless of your skin type.

1. CLEANSE WITH MILK/GELS

If you have oily skin in summer it’s important to opt for a soothing and light facial cleanser that is either milk-based or gel-based. Such cleansers will deep cleanse your skin without stripping off the natural oils of your skin. Blotting papers will also help to remove excess oil production and reduce shine. A non-foaming cleanser is ideal if you have dry skin in summer, by preventing your skin drying out further. 

2. USE A LIGHTWEIGHT FACIAL OIL OR MOISTURISER

In summer you may be tempted to skip moisturizer. However the summer heat can dehydrate your skin, so you need to keep it hydrated. A lightweight facial oil, rich in linoleic acid is a sufficient substitute for moisturizer during the summer months. This is because linoleic acid is fast absorbing and non-greasy, while keeping your skin moisturized. If you prefer lotions, choose water-based moisturizers for oily skin and gel-based moisturizers for dry skin.

3. COMBAT OILY SKIN WITH A FACE OIL

During summertime, you may also notice an increase in breakouts and oiliness. As the temperature increases, your skin’s sebaceous glands produce more sebum to regulate your body temperature. This excess sebum can clog pores and lead to acne. Your natural sebum consists of a ratio of two fatty acids; oleic acid and linoleic acid. Those with oily skin types tend to lack linoleic acid and have more oleic acid in their sebum, which has a greasy and pore-clogging texture. (2) 

Using a lightweight facial oil rich in linoleic acid, such as Kalahari Melon Oil benefits those with oily and acne prone skin. The high linoleic acid content replenishes your skin’s natural stores and rebalances your sebum consistency, helping to reduce clogged pores and combat breakouts. 

4. LESS IS MORE

For healthy skin in summertime you'll need fewer products. Skip the layers of beauty products and keep things simple. Create an easy regimen of cleansing, hydration and sunscreen. When the weather heats up, your skin may feel oily and greasy more often. To keep skin looking healthy reduce the use of mattifying makeup products and swap your full-coverage foundation for a tinted moisturizer.

5. SUNCREEN

They key to good skin care in summer is suncreen. The sun's rays may alter skin tone in the short-term, but in the long-term they cause premature skin aging and sun damage, in the form of wrinkles and age spots. (3) An SPF 50 sunscreen is vital to shield your skin during the hot season. You'll need to apply sunscreen even if you spend most of your time inside, because UVA rays can travel through windows. While your moisturizer may contain SPF, it’s proven to be more effective if you have a separate moisturizer and separate sunscreen in your summer skin care routine.

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Different seasons alter your skin. Extreme climatic conditions can worsen existing skin concerns or even start new ones. That’s why it’s really crucial to switch your beauty routine, to adapt to the seasonal changes and keep your complexion healthy and glowing in the coming months.