The Seasonal Skincare Switch: How to Update Your Routine for Every Season

Your skincare routine shouldn’t stay the same all year round. Just as you swap out your wardrobe with the changing seasons, your skin also requires different care as temperatures shift. Factors like humidity, sun exposure, and indoor heating can all impact your skin’s needs. To maintain a healthy, balanced complexion, it’s important to adjust your routine accordingly.

Here’s how to transition your skincare routine through the seasons for optimal results.

Spring: Refresh and Rejuvenate

As winter fades, your skin may still be recovering from months of dryness and dullness. Spring is the time to focus on gentle exfoliation, hydration, and preparing for increased sun exposure.

• Switch to a lightweight moisturiser – Heavy creams may no longer be necessary, so opt for a gel-based or water-based formula to keep your skin hydrated without feeling greasy.
• Incorporate gentle exfoliation – Winter can leave behind a buildup of dry skin. Using a mild exfoliant with AHAs or BHAs once or twice a week can help restore a healthy glow.
• Prioritize sunscreen – With longer days and more time spent outdoors, daily SPF protection is essential. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 helps prevent premature ageing and sun damage.
• Soothe seasonal irritation – If you experience allergies in spring, look for calming ingredients like aloe vera and niacinamide to reduce redness and inflammation.

Summer: Protect and Control Oil

Hot weather, humidity, and increased sun exposure can lead to oiliness, clogged pores, and dehydration. The goal of a summer skincare routine is to balance hydration, control excess oil, and protect against UV damage.

• Use an oil-free, lightweight sunscreen – A non-comedogenic SPF 50 protects the skin without clogging pores.
• Switch to a mattifying moisturizer – A lightweight, oil-free formula can prevent shine while keeping skin hydrated.
• Incorporate antioxidants – Vitamin C serums help defend against free radical damage caused by sun exposure while brightening the skin.
• Double cleanse in the evening – Sweat, sunscreen, and pollution can accumulate throughout the day. Using an oil-based cleanser followed by a gentle foaming cleanser ensures deep cleansing without stripping the skin.
• Stay hydrated – Warmer temperatures can cause dehydration, so hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid and regular water intake are essential.

Fall: Repair and Strengthen

As temperatures drop, skin can become drier and more sensitive. Fall is the time to repair any sun damage from summer and prepare for colder weather by strengthening the skin barrier.

• Switch to a richer moisturiser – Look for ingredients like ceramides, squalane, and peptides to help restore the skin’s natural barrier.
• Introduce a hydrating serum – A serum with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide can help maintain moisture levels and prevent seasonal dehydration.
• Adjust exfoliation frequency – If your skin starts feeling more sensitive, reduce exfoliation and opt for milder formulas to prevent irritation.
• Start using lip and hand treatments – These areas tend to dry out first as temperatures drop, so investing in a nourishing lip balm and hand cream can help prevent chapping.

Winter: Hydrate and Protect

Cold weather, indoor heating, and harsh winds can strip the skin of moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. A winter skincare routine should focus on deep hydration and reinforcing the skin’s natural barrier.

• Use a thick, nourishing moisturiser – Cream-based formulas with shea butter, ceramides, and glycerin help lock in moisture and create a protective layer on the skin.
• Switch to a hydrating cleanser – Avoid foaming cleansers that can be drying and opt for cream or oil-based cleansers instead.
• Incorporate face oils – Oils like argan, rosehip, or jojoba provide extra nourishment and help prevent moisture loss.
• Use a humidifier indoors – Indoor heating reduces air moisture, which can lead to dehydrated skin. A humidifier helps maintain hydration levels.
• Continue wearing sunscreen – Even in winter, UV rays can cause damage, so daily sunscreen application remains important.

The Bottom Line

Adjusting your skincare routine with the seasons helps your skin stay balanced, healthy, and resilient. Lighten up in the warmer months, focus on repair in the fall, and reinforce hydration in the winter. By making small, intentional changes throughout the year, you can keep your skin looking its best in any weather.

Is your skincare routine ready for the next season? Now is the perfect time to make adjustments that will keep your skin looking and feeling its best.