Should I Change My Skincare Routine in Summer and Winter?
You change your wardrobe throughout the seasons, but what about your skincare routine?
While the basics of your skincare routine stay the same — think cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen — you should think about switching up your products to match the seasons and your skin’s needs throughout the year.
Summer Vs Winter Skincare Routines
Changing your skincare routine for summer goes beyond simply buying more sunscreen. Here’s what to think about in summer and winter.
Summer Skincare Routine
When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, thick products can feel too heavy on your skin, and summer comes with different skincare concerns to winter like sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
What’s more, your skin can actually become oilier in summer. Warm weather causes your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, which shows up on the surface of your skin as shiny looking patches.
Make these switches to get your skincare routine summer ready:
- Cleanser: Opt for a lighter cleanser like foaming or gel formulations.
- Exfoliator: Switch to an exfoliator that can tackle oily patches, sun spots and clogged pores caused by sweat. Try BHAs like salicylic acid. While AHAs are great exfoliators, they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so SPF protection is even more important if you’re using them in summer.
- Moisturiser: Your skin may not need as heavy a moisturiser as it does in winter, but it still needs hydrating. Switch to lighter gel or lotion formulations.
- SPF: Important year round, but especially in summer when you’re most likely outside in direct sunlight a lot more. Look for broad-spectrum SPF of at least factor 30.
- Masks: try exfoliating and oil-fighting formulas for face masks.
Ingredients to Use in the Summer
Look out for oil-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide and clay masks as well as dark spot brightening ingredients like glycolic acid and vitamin C.
Our Top Product Picks for Summer
- Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF50+ — protect your skin from sunspots and sun damage with this light-weight sunscreen.
- SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum — lighten dark spots and discolouration, whether their caused by the sun or not, with this brightening serum.
- iS Clinical Super Serum Advance Plus — this serum evens out skin tone and texture, lightens hyperpigmentation and provides UV protection.
Winter Skincare Routine
Winter brings new challenges when it comes to our skin. The wind and cold can strip it of moisture, making it dry and irritated. Plus, warm baths and central heating — as great as they feel when it’s cold outside — are not only drying, but can aggravate the skin, causing sensitivity that you might not have in the summer.
- Cleanser: You may need a cleanser that can soothe redness, dryness and sensitivity. Try cream cleansers.
- Exfoliator: Dull and flaky skin is common in winter, so opt for chemical exfoliants that can dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells and reveal a fresh and glowy complexion underneath. Just be careful not to over exfoliate if your skin is feeling more sensitive than usual. Try reducing how often you exfoliate if this happens.
- Moisturiser: You may need a thick, heavier moisturiser to fight winter dryness. Look out for creamier products. For those with dry skin, try layering a hydrating serum under your moisturiser.
- SPF: That’s right! Sunscreen should still be a part of your skincare routine in the winter. Even on overcast days, damaging UV rays can still reach the skin. If you’ve found a broad-spectrum SPF you like to use, stick with it all year long.
- Masks: Switch to hydrating or exfoliating formulas for face masks.
Ingredients to Use in the Winter
Look out for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, ceramides to help to repair damage to the skin barrier and complexion brighteners like vitamin C.
Our Top Product Picks for Winter
- Obagi Medical Daily Hydro Drops — an ultra-hydrating serum that will restore moisture levels, soften rough patches and brighten dull complexions.
- Alumier AHA Renewal Serum — use this blend of potent AHAs to exfoliate away dull winter skin.
- ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense — ceramides, vitamin E and an enzyme blend help to repair the skin barrier and protect it from damage.
Need a Hand?
Your skin changes with the weather and may have different requirements in summer and winter. Want to take the guesswork out of finding the perfect routine? You can book a consultation with one of our skin specialists at Skin Pharmacy. We’ll evaluate your skin and recommend the best medical-grade products for your concerns, whatever the weather.