Whether you like it or not, seasonal weather changes will affect your skin care routine. As the seasons change, make sure your skin is always at its best by updating your skin care routine accordingly. We’ve rounded up the top ten skin care changes you’ll notice depending on the season, including tips on how to manage these seasonal changes so that your skin will maintain a healthy, sun-kissed glow all year round.
The summer heat is making its presence known! So, what does this mean for your skin? With every season, your skin changes in response to the weather, so it’s no surprise that you may have noticed your skin reacting differently than usual in the summer heat. Make the most of this seasonal transition by being aware of what skin care changes to look out for and what you can do to minimize the damage to your skin.
Summer loving
We all love a sun-kissed glow, but when it comes to skin care, it always pays to know of what changes your skin will be susceptible to in every season. In the winter, it’s all about protecting your skin from drying out, while in the summer, prioritizing sun protection1 is the most important part of maintaining radiant skin.
Top 10 Summer Skincare Must-Knows
Studies show again and again that the skin barrier is affected by both climatic and seasonal changes – ones that could lead to permanent skin conditions if left untreated.2, 3 So, if you’re wondering whether the changes are all in your head or if you’re the only one suffering from it – don’t worry, you’re not. We’ve rounded up a list of the top 10 things to keep an eye out for and how to remedy these changes to your skin without furthering the damage:
- Control the breakouts: Sweat mixed with bacteria and oils on your skin quickly leads to clogged pores. If you already have acne-prone or oily skin, this often means more breakouts in the summer season.4 To help control breakouts, regularly blot sweat from your skin with a clean towel or cloth – but don’t wipe! Wiping sweat off can irritate your skin further, leading to even more breakouts.
- Oil control: Oily skin is a common skin type that affects both men and women, usually appearing in people going through puberty or people over 60 years of age.5 In the heat of summer, fight oily skin by keeping make-up as minimal as possible and switching to a gel cleanser when washing. This will help unclog your pores and remove excess oil without drying out your skin.
- Don’t dry it out: Hot and humid weather can have a surprisingly negative affect on those with drier skin. Spending time in the sun or cooling off in air-conditioned spots may quickly dry out skin and cause it to become irritated faster than you think.4 To protect your skin’s moisture barrier, continue to use a moisturizing cleanser that will provide deep re-hydration and stick to shorter, cooler showers instead of hot and steamy ones.
- How to hydrate: You might think that drinking a bit of extra water is enough to keep your skin hydrated, but don’t be fooled – simply drinking water isn’t going to do much to hydrate your skin. Higher temperatures, humidity, and intense UV are all factors that contribute to drying out your skin.6 On top of moisturizing everyday (morning and night!), consider exfoliating to remove dead skin cells and improving the blood circulation to your face. Not only is it a relaxing treat, it helps unclog pores to improve your skin’s overall radiance and texture, too!
- Don’t sweat it: Let’s be real – sometimes, make-up is unavoidable in the summer. Whether it’s for work or a wedding, we’ve all had to cover a blemish or five. Try to use products that incorporate SPF and make sure to keep your face moisturized with a lightweight moisturizer that’s perfect for both dry and oily skin. Keeping your skin moisturized makes it easier for your skin to absorb make up products, meaning you’ll use less of it overall (and make it less likely for all that make up to melt off your face!)
- The UV damage is real: Long-term exposure to UV rays is the main cause of skin cancer development.7 But more than that, daily UV exposure causes more than just a tan – including unwanted freckles, redness, and pre-mature age spots, to name a few things. Always protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying a minimum SPF of 30 daily, and re-applying throughout the day, too.
- Dry skin woes: Those with pre-existing dry skin conditions will find that in the summer, things like eczema can worsen thanks to the heat and humidity. Unfortunately, there’s no “one size fits all” remedy for eczema or dry skin flare-ups in the summer, but one thing to be mindful of is regulating your body temperature.8 Sweat and sweat build up tends to irritate dry skin and eczema. And because hot spots for rashes tend to be in places that moisture accumulates (think inside of elbows, back of knees, neck, etc.), it’s a good idea to rinse off or pat your skin dry after sweating to reduce inflammation and control itching.
- To Fake Tan or Not? Across the board, dermatologists and experts agree that sunless tans are safer than real ones, though they’re not completely without risk.9 The common active ingredient in self-tanning products is dihydroxyacetone – or DHA – which reacts with the amino acids in your skin’s top layer to “tan” your skin. DHA often causes irritation and dries out skin with regular use. It can even inhibit your body’s production of Vitamin D.10 Try looking for “DHA-free” products if you decide to self-tan, and religiously moisturize and protect any self-tanned skin from the sun to prevent any further damage.
- Pool daze: Hanging out at the pool is a great way to stay cool and have fun in the summer, but make sure you rinse off with freshwater after a dip. Chlorine strips your skin of its natural oils, causing it to feel dry and irritated over time. Keep an eye out for rashes or inflammation – especially if you have sensitive skin!
- Burn baby burn: Sometimes, you can do your best and still end up with a sun burn. Always remember to apply and re-apply SPF throughout the day, but if you still find yourself feeling the sting from a little too much sun, focus on keeping your internal body temperature down and staying hydrated to relieve the discomfort. Take cool showers and baths, use lots of moisturizer to rehydrate your skin, and drink extra water to avoid dehydration!11If you need it, our guide on how to quickly recover from a sunburn can be found here.
Skincare
Stay on top of any skin changes due to the temperature fluctuation in the seasons by making sure you implement a skin care routine that your skin can rely on despite the seasonal changes.
- Don’t skip the SPF: You’ve heard it before, and we’ll say it again: using a minimum SPF of 30 each and every day is crucial to your skin’s overall health and radiance. Our lightweight, SPF 30 broad spectrum sunscreen is the perfect companion whether you’re at home or on-the-go this summer, providing UVA + UVB protection as well as deep hydration that’s perfect for daily use.
- Moisturizing matters: Whether you tend towards oilier skin or drier skin, keeping your skin hydrated in any climate is the key to protecting your skin! We’ve got a selection of moisturizers for every skin type that all offer deep hydration benefits and help relieve any irritation due to dry skin, too. Shop online or chat with our skin care specialists to pick the moisturizer that’s right for your skin type today.
References
- Simon, S. 15 April 2020. Spend Time Outside and Stay Sun-safe. American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/stay-sun-safe-this-summer.html
- Misery, L. et al., 22 March 2007. Sensitive skin: psychological effects and seasonal changes. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.02027.x
- Engebretsen, K., Kezic, S., Riethmüller, C., Franz, J., Jakasa, I., Hedengran, A., Linneberg, A., Johansen, J. and Thyssen, J., 2018. Changes in filaggrin degradation products and corneocyte surface texture by season. Br J Dermatol, 178: 1143-1150. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.16150
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. 12 summer skin problems you can prevent. Retrieved from: https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/summer-skin-problems
- Arbuckle, R. et al., 2008. Patient experiences with oily skin: The qualitative development of content for two new patient reported outcome questionnaires. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. Retrieved from: https://hqlo.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1477-7525-6-80
- Philpott, L. December 2017. Summer beauty tips: Beauty takes the heat. PS Post Script. Retrieved from: https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=285263547998504;res=IELHEA
- Rass, K. and Reichrath, J. 2008. UV damage and DNA repair in malignant melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Sunlight, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-0-387-77574-6_13
- National Eczema Association. 2018. Earning Your Place in the Sun. National Eczema Association. Retrieved from: https://nationaleczema.org/earning-place-sun/
- O’Leary, R., Diehl, J., and Levins, P. 10 November 2013. Update on tanning: More risks, fewer benefits. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962213012528
- Villett, M. 21 July 2017. Is Self-Tanner Safe? This is How It Actually Ages Your Skin. Beautyeditor. Retrieved from: https://beautyeditor.ca/2017/07/21/self-tanner-aging
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Treating Sunburn. AAD. Retrieved from: https://www.aad.org/public/kids/skin/skin-cancer/treating-sunburn