FALL

Starting off with our current season, fall calls for a gentle skincare routine to restore the moisture of your complexion and prep it before the colder months are officially here. During the summer months, your skin has likely endured a lot of sun exposure, which can not only lead to a painful sunburn or dried-out skin, it can also lead to premature aging. For this reason, your fall skincare should be focused on soothing your skin with heavier creams that serve to protect and rebuild the natural barrier on your skin.

Keep in mind, however, that the types of moisturizers and lotions you invest in should be dependent on your skin type. For those of you with dry, sensitive skin, you’ll want to resort to thicker creams that are fragrance-free as scented products can cause inflammation, redness, and irritation to occur.

On the other hand, those of you with acne-prone or oily skin will likely benefit more from using specially designed acne products that include a lightweight moisturizer that works to persevere your glow, without clogging pores or adding any additional unwanted shine.

WINTER

The environmental conditions associated with winter make it easy for your skin to become more susceptible to dryness and redness, causing many of us to experience rough patches, tightness, and/or other changes in the texture of our skin at this time. This is why seasonal skincare for the wintertime is all about hydrating your skin from head to toe!

Even if you have normally oily skin, you’ll still want to make a point to cut back on the number of times you exfoliate throughout the week. Although exfoliating products are great for removing dead skin cells from the surface of your complexion, overdoing it can strip your skin of its natural oils and result in worsening skin conditions. So if you normally exfoliate two or three times a week, try cutting back to once or twice a week to prevent this issue from occurring. 

Additionally, remember to carefully review the product labels of your skincare treatments. Rather than using products that consist only of harsh active ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, instead, try to look for products with an active ingredient like hyaluronic acid, which works to promote hydration and offers restorative properties to your skin’s moisture barrier. 

SPRING

In celebration of the spring season, the majority of people will dedicate some time to a long-awaited seasonal clean. Unfortunately, most of us forget about a necessary cleaning component during this seasonal purge. That is, our cosmetic cabinets! Believe it or not, our makeup and skincare products have their own shelf-life that can contribute to the effectiveness of the product and your ability to maintain a healthy complexion. 

Generally speaking, most skincare products can be used for up to a year before they expire, so if you’ve been holding on to a certain treatment since last spring, you may want to reconsider its shelf-life and think about purging it for good. After you’ve gotten rid of any expired cosmetics, you can then make room for some new treatment products suitable for springtime! A good exfoliant, for example, will be essential for an efficient skincare routine in the spring as it’ll help to rid your complexion of any dead skin cells it endured throughout the wintertime and prevent your pores from getting clogged.

Typically this season can be associated with high humidity levels, so it’s expected that you’ll be producing more natural oil in these months compared to the amount you were producing throughout fall and winter. An exfoliant, combined with a lighter weight moisturizer will make for a simplistic approach to a clean and clear-looking springtime complexion.

SUMMER

Of course, sunscreen is a must-have item for any quality skincare routine, regardless of what season you’re in. But, in the summer months, the frequency of usage should be a big part of the changes in your summer beauty routine as the hours of daylight increase and the exposure to the sun reaches an all-time high. 

Specifically for those who like to embrace the outdoors while they can, it’s crucial that you travel with sunscreen at all times to ensure your skin remains properly protected. Even though this will prevent you from achieving a darker complexion, there are still other ways you can get the sun-kissed glow without jeopardizing the state of your skin. 

Beyond packing on the sunscreen, you’ll also want to remember your skincare treatments. Particular skin types and concerns will require their own method of treatment, meaning it’s important to analyze what issue you’re dealing with before targeting any problem-area on your skin. For example, if you have dark spots and/or fine lines and wrinkles, you’ll probably want to use an anti-aging regimen throughout summer, especially given the fact that the sun is even more prominent during this time. Or, if acne is your main issue, you’ll want to invest in a treatment formula that can help you remain blemish-free as the months get hotter and the humidity levels begin to skyrocket.

A good rule of thumb for seasonal skincare? No matter the season, your daily skincare routine should include a cleanser, moisturizer, treatment serum, and sunscreen! If you’re not sure where to start with your regimen, book an appointment at Affiliated Dermatology in Phoenix, AZ and we will be happy to help you on your journey to healthy skin.