• Skin Care

Unlocking Radiant Skin Year-Round with Seasonal Skin Care

Medically reviewed and edited by Jessica Davis, FNP-BC

Seasonal skin care is often overlooked in the beauty industry, but it remains an important part of maintaining optimal skin health throughout the year.

The process involves switching your skin care routine to fit the seasons to ensure your complexion remains protected from the elements.

Although it sounds simple, knowing which products to use during each season can be challenging — especially if seasonal skin care is something you’ve never done before.

In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about creating your own seasonal skin care routine and all of the steps you need to take to achieve healthy skin throughout the year.

Why is Seasonal Skin Care Important?

Different weather conditions can have a significant impact on your skin, so tailoring your skin care routine accordingly can help you address seasonal challenges.

For example, in winter, the air may be dry and cold. This may trigger dehydrated skin that is more prone to acne, irritation, and redness.

Using products that help your skin retain moisture during colder months can help you avoid seasonal skin issues.

Essential Seasonal Skin Care Tips

Summer

Summer is a time for hot weather and days spent outside in the sunshine. For your skin, this often means an increase in breakouts due to oil and sweat buildup.

To keep your skin healthy and acne-free during the summer, you’ll need to use proper cleansers and high-quality sun protection.

Cleanser: In summer, opt for a lightweight foaming or gel cleanser. These formulas are great for removing sweat, oil, and other impurities from the skin without stripping it of moisture.

It’s also important to stay consistent with your cleansing routine to prevent a buildup of oil that can cause acne.

Moisturizer: Oil-free or water-based moisturizers are good options for keeping your skin hydrated during summer.

The products are lightweight enough to prevent the skin from feeling greasy but provide enough moisture to avoid a dry complexion.

Remember to apply your sunscreen every morning – especially if you plan on being outside. For the warmer months, an SPF of at least 30 is recommended for optimal sun protection.

Sunscreen is especially important if you’re using exfoliating acids or vitamin A-based skin care products like retinoids. These products can make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage, so keeping it protected from UV rays is key.

Other products: Cooling face mists with protective ingredients — like niacinamide or vitamin C — are perfect for summer. You can also use mattifying clay masks to remove excess oil from the skin and unclog pores to prevent breakouts.

Ingredients to add to your routine

During the summer, it’s essential to choose products that will protect your skin from the sun while providing essential moisture. Look for products that contain:

• Niacinamide

• Hyaluronic acid

• Vitamin C

• Alpha-hydroxy acids

Fall

As the weather starts to cool down and the air gets drier, your skin will need more moisture to look its best.

For your skin care routine, this means you’ll want to incorporate products that hydrate your skin and retain enough moisture to keep it from drying out.

Cleanser: In the fall, gentle and hydrating cleansers are great options. Cream-based products can keep your skin moisturized while clearing impurities and unclogging pores.

You can also consider a gentle exfoliant to improve skin texture and address any concerns left over from the summer.

Moisturizer: Fall is the perfect time to start using richer moisturizers and thicker creams to combat the effects of the colder weather.

While you can still opt for lighter formulations, you should choose products with ultra-hydrating properties that will help keep your skin protected.

Other products: Nourishing masks and antioxidant serums can enhance your fall skin care routine. These products provide hydration while protecting your skin from changing weather conditions.

This also helps to prevent seasonal acne breakouts, keeping your complexion clear. Ingredients to add to your routine

During the fall, start preparing your skin for colder months while repairing any damage caused by the hot summer weather. Opt for ingredients like:

• Hyaluronic acid

• Glycerin

• Ceramides

Winter

Winter months can be harsh on your skin. With cold and dry conditions, your skin requires gentle products that boost moisture to keep it looking radiant.

Cleanser: A cream cleanser is great for winter skin because it provides hydration while removing any impurities.

This ensures that your skin isn’t stripped of moisture and that it feels soft and supple, post-cleanse.

You should also avoid harsh exfoliators during the winter to protect your skin from drying out. Instead, opt for a gentler exfoliant — like salicylic acid — to remove any dead skin cells.

Moisturizer: Ultra-hydrating moisturizers are essential for your winter skin care routine. Choose thicker lotions and creams that contain skin-loving ingredients to keep your complexion protected from the elements.

Using fewer potent ingredients like retinoids during the winter could also be beneficial. These products tend to cause mild irritation that may be exacerbated by colder weather. Avoiding them could minimize your risk of breakouts and inflamed skin.

Remember to apply sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy — your skin tends to become more vulnerable to damage in winter, so using products to minimize that is key.

Other products: Moisturizing products like sheet masks or overnight face balms can be a great option for enhancing your winter skin care routine.

Choose ingredients that complement each other for a more potent effect. Ingredients to add to your routine

Since winter is all about replenishing moisture, look for ingredients that hydrate your skin while keeping it protected from external elements. This includes products with:

• Hyaluronic acid

• Niacinamide

• Ceramides

• Glycerin

Spring

As the weather gets warmer, you won’t have to worry about dry skin as much. During spring, you can focus on restoring radiance and protecting your skin from increased sun exposure.

Cleanser: Transition to a lightweight gel or foam cleanser for spring to remove impurities while brightening the complexion.

Be mindful of ingredients and choose products that won’t aggravate any seasonal allergies. This usually means avoiding cleansers that contain fragrance or alcohol.

Moisturizer: Choose a lightweight product that will help you achieve radiant and healthier-looking skin, such as tinted moisturizers or serums.

You can also start incorporating more antioxidants — such as vitamin C — into your routine for a glowing complexion that is still protected from environmental factors.

Regularly applying SPF remains important in spring, especially since you’ll be outside in the sun more regularly.

Other products: Gentle exfoliating or clay masks are great options for spring because they remove dead skin cells to reveal a bright and glowing complexion.

Ingredients to add to your routine

In spring, you can opt for ingredients that will leave your skin looking radiant and refreshed. These include:

• Vitamin C

• Retinol

• Peptides

Specialized Skin Care for Problematic Areas

As the seasons change, it’s important not to overlook specialized care for other areas of your skin – such as the lips, hands, and feet.

These areas are particularly vulnerable to the effects of seasonal weather variations. For example, in the winter, lips can become dry and chapped due to more extreme weather.

To maintain soft and hydrated lips, you can consider using products such as balms containing shea butter or beeswax.

Hands and heels are also prone to dryness and cracking in the colder months. To prevent this, frequent moisturizing with rich creams or balms can help.

In the summer, prolonged sun exposure can cause chapped lips while exposing your feet to drying conditions.

That’s why it’s important to remember to apply sunscreen to your entire body and use a thicker moisturizer at night to prevent extensive damage.

Dietary and Lifestyle Considerations for Seasonal Skin Care

Proper hydration and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. If you neglect this aspect of skin care, you can end up with a dry and dull complexion.

Consuming a well-rounded diet also provides your skin with the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Incorporating seasonal foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats can be especially beneficial for nourishing your skin throughout the year.

During the spring and summer months, include plenty of berries, watermelon, and citrus fruits, which are high in vitamins C and E.

These nutrients are well known for their skin-related benefits, including reducing the appearance of wrinkles and sun damage.

Leafy greens like spinach and kale are also excellent choices when they are in season, as they provide essential nutrients and antioxidants.

As fall and winter approach, consider incorporating foods like sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and carrots — which are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A — into your diet.

These nutrients are great for promoting skin repair and regeneration, leaving you with a younger-looking appearance.

Remember to include sources of healthy fats in your diet — such as avocados, nuts, and fatty fish — because they provide essential acids that help maintain the skin's moisture and elasticity.

Adapting Your Makeup and Sun Protection

Your makeup routine should also be adjusted with the changing seasons to complement your skin care regime.

In different seasons, it's important to change your makeup routine to ensure that your skin looks and feels its best.

During the winter — when the air is drier and colder — opt for a hydrating foundation or tinted moisturizer to prevent makeup from settling into dry patches and increasing irritation.

You can also consider using cream-based blushes and highlighters to add a healthy glow to your skin.

It's crucial to continue using sunscreen, even in the colder months. Look for makeup products that contain SPF to provide an extra layer of sun protection.

In spring and summer, it might be a good idea to switch to lighter, water-resistant makeup products that can withstand heat and humidity.

Tinted moisturizers or BB creams are excellent choices for achieving a natural look while allowing your skin to breathe.

Don't forget to apply sunscreen beneath your makeup, or continue using makeup products with SPF to ensure continuous protection.

Not only does this keep your complexion protected, but it also reduces your risk of developing sun exposure-related diseases like skin cancer.

Fall brings cooler temperatures, making it a great time to experiment with richer, bolder makeup looks while ensuring that you choose skin-loving ingredients — and remember to always apply SPF!

Should You Get Professional Guidance for Seasonal Skin Care?

Seeking professional advice for changes you can make to your skin care routine is a good idea — especially if you have specific concerns that you want to address.

Your doctor or dermatologist can provide a personalized and in-depth analysis of your skin type and which products would work best in the changing seasons.

They can also tailor a skin care routine to your specific needs and the environmental challenges you may face.

Getting this professional advice also helps you to ensure that the products you use are safe for your skin and will be effective for any concerns you may have.

Where Can You Learn More About Seasonal Skin Care and Other Similar Topics?

If you’re concerned about your acne or want to know more about seasonal skin care, LifeMD is here to help.

LifeMD can connect you with a healthcare professional who can provide information about skin care and guidance on choosing the right products for your skin throughout the year.

Make an appointment to learn how to adjust your skin care routine to keep your radiant glow from season to season.

Jessica Davis, FNP-BC

Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UMASS and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of San Diego. Jessica is a happily married mom to a 4-year-old girl — and is passionate about animal rescue, travel, cooking, and outdoor life. She’s also a lover of exercise including half marathons, Lagree pilates, and Barry’s Bootcamp.

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