Seasonal changes can have various effects on our skin health. Changing weather conditions during seasonal transitions may cause some unwanted effects on your skin. For example, although the effects may vary depending on skin type, skin pores generally become tighter in cold weather. The sebaceous glands may begin to produce more oil. During these periods, the body reduces the amount of blood directed into the circulatory system in order to preserve its own temperature. As a result, the skin may develop a pale and dull appearance. Certain precautions should be taken to protect our skin from the adverse effects of changing weather conditions. Medical Aesthetics Specialist Dr. Lida Çiteli, who provides services to patients in Istanbul, explained how to protect your skin during seasonal transitions.
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Your Seasonal Skin Care Guide
When the weather becomes cooler and we begin spending more time indoors, our skin reacts to these changes. Tightness, dryness, or sensitivity may develop. This may require us to make certain changes to our skin care routine.
What Are the Effects of Weather Changes on the Skin During Seasonal Transitions?
Just as our dietary habits, water intake, and psychological factors affect our skin health, changes in weather can also have a direct impact on the skin. As the weather gets colder, problems such as flaking, dryness, itching, peeling, increased oiliness, and breakouts may develop.
Depending on the skin type, some people's skin may become excessively dry in cold weather, while others may experience increased oiliness.
Humidity levels, temperature, and the intensity of ultraviolet radiation vary according to climatic conditions. The skin may develop its own defense mechanism in response to these changes.
If you have dry skin and live in a region with a predominantly dry climate, your skin may experience peeling and flaking during the winter months.
If you have combination skin, one area of your skin may become dry and flaky while another area may remain oily. Oily skin can also become dry during the winter months.
Having oily skin does not always mean that your skin is adequately hydrated. Just like dry and combination skin types, oily skin also requires special care during the winter.
What Are the Signs of Weather Changes on the Skin?
The skin's moisture level changes during seasonal transitions. As a result, some visible changes may occur. When transitioning from winter to summer, the increase in temperature can cause the pores to become enlarged. Keeping enlarged pores clean is particularly important. The appearance of capillaries may become more noticeable. At the same time, the skin's sebum balance may also change. Blackheads tend to increase during the summer months. The opposite may occur during the winter. Cold weather can cause thickening of the epidermal layer of the skin. This can cause the skin to lose moisture and become dry. For this reason, skin care becomes particularly important during seasonal transitions. It is important to remember that a single product may not meet all of your skin's needs.
Spring: When Your Skin Is at Its Most Vulnerable!
For our skin to remain healthy, it needs to be clean, adequately moisturized, and protected from the sun. During the transition from summer to winter or from winter to summer, the skin's need for moisture also changes. Changes in moisture requirements may contribute to skin damage. These effects may include peeling, acne, and breakouts. Especially during the spring months, the skin may become deprived of both moisture and oil. Therefore, we should not leave our skin vulnerable to external factors during spring. We can support skin health by using supportive skin care products.
How Should You Care for Your Skin During Seasonal Transitions?
The first step toward maintaining healthy skin during seasonal transitions is to keep the skin clean. When the skin is not properly cleansed, pores can become clogged, making it difficult to achieve successful results regardless of the skin care treatment applied. For this reason, dead skin cells should be removed to help protect the skin. Keeping the skin clean also helps prevent the buildup of bacteria. However, products that do not irritate the skin should be preferred during cleansing. When necessary, chemical peeling may be performed, provided that it is not used too frequently. This can help reduce skin discoloration and prevent the skin from appearing dull, lifeless, or pale. As a result, the skin can achieve a cleaner and more radiant appearance.
After using facial cleansers, you can use a toner to refresh and nourish your skin. Toners may help disinfect the skin due to their antiseptic properties. However, when choosing a toner, you should select a product suitable for your skin type. You can consult your physician for guidance on this matter.
The Duo That Protects Skin Health: Moisturizer and Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be used throughout the year. Choosing the right sunscreen is important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. We generally refer to three main skin types: dry, oily, and combination. It is particularly important to choose a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type. If you leave your skin unprotected against sunlight, sunspots, blackheads, wrinkles, and signs of premature aging may develop.
Once you have found a sunscreen suitable for your skin type, the next step is choosing a moisturizer. It is important to remember that every skin type needs moisturizing. However, dry skin generally requires more intensive moisturization. Even if your skin is oily, this does not necessarily mean that it is adequately hydrated. To maintain skin health, moisturizer should be used during seasonal transitions just as it should throughout the rest of the year. Sudden increases in temperature can disrupt the skin's moisture balance and cause dryness. Sudden drops in temperature can also negatively affect the skin's moisture balance. To maintain both the skin's moisture and pH balance, you should use the products recommended by your physician regularly. You should also pay attention to whether a product is intended for the hands, the face, or the entire face.
Don't Miss the First Signs Your Skin Gives You
Dry skin does not always begin with visible flaking. After cleansing, you may notice tightness or a rough sensation on the cheeks. Makeup may no longer sit as smoothly as it used to. These signs may be your skin's way of calling for help. In such cases, using a serum as the first step may not be the right approach. First, observe how your current cleanser affects your skin. Update your skin care routine by observing the signals your skin gives you and consulting your physician.
Don't Overwork Your Skin While Cleansing
Contrary to popular belief, that “squeaky clean” feeling after washing your face may not necessarily be a good sign. If your skin has become more sensitive or fragile in recent days, you should use a cleanser that does not leave your skin feeling tight after washing. You should also pay attention to the temperature of the water when cleansing your face. Long showers with excessively hot water can make the skin more prone to dryness and disrupt its moisture balance.
Reconsider the Texture of Your Moisturizer
When the summer months arrive, if you notice that your skin feels tight before noon, you may prefer more nourishing creams or add a second moisturizing step to areas that need additional hydration. Formulas containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin can support moisture balance, while ceramides provide effective care for dry skin. Using facial oils while neglecting moisturizers may not be enough to relieve the feeling of dryness.
Slow Down a Little with Active Ingredients
You can include active and potentially exfoliating products such as retinol and peeling acids in your skin care routine. However, if your skin stings, becomes red, or feels irritated, you may need to reconsider how frequently you use these products. Instead of using a different active ingredient every night, you can dedicate some evenings to cleansing and moisturizing only.
Don't Treat Sunscreen as a Seasonal Product
Contrary to popular belief, you should continue using high-SPF sunscreen during the fall and winter months as well. If the formula you use during the summer causes your skin to become dry, you may prefer options with a more moisturizing texture.
