How to Transition Your Skincare & Beauty Routine Between Seasons

Hopefully, you have a solid beauty routine that you use on a daily basis. Whether it’s as simple as making sure to wash your face twice per day or you go all-out with a dozen steps, taking care of your skin is important. It’s your body’s largest organ, you know!

But do you think about the different seasons and what they may do to your skin?

Here’s how to transition your skincare and beauty routine to handle anything nature throws at you.

Summer

Summer is a favorite season for many. Warmer weather and longer days mean you have more flexibility for your activities. So, what’s the best way to ensure you have the healthiest skin possible?

Start by Lightening Up Your Products

Swap heavy cleansers and moisturizers out for lighter versions. Foaming cleansers work well in the summertime. Choose a lightweight moisturizer that also contains sunscreen for daily protection. This is good for year-round use but particularly in summer.

Yes, You Need to Moisturize

Even when your skin feels moist or oily, you still need a daily moisturizer. Moisturizers repair the outer skin layer which helps protect your face from pollutants and chemicals. Always follow your cleanser with a moisturizer/sunscreen combo.

Make Sure Your Makeup Is Non-Comedogenic

Make sure all of your makeup (even your eyebrow makeup pencil, mascara, or eyelash extensions) is non-comedogenic. This means it won’t clog your pores. You need to think about more than just your foundation because if you sweat your eyebrows or makeup down your face, it will get in contact with your skin.

Fall

As the weather begins to chill, start a subtle transition in your beauty routine. No need to break out the super-heavy creams, yet! Save those for winter, but do pay attention to how your skin changes in response to the weather.

Use Lip Moisturizers & Eye Creams

The skin around your lips and eyes are some of the most sensitive areas on your face. If you haven’t already included a moisturizer specifically for your lip and eye areas, add one in now. This will help keep these sensitive areas moist as the air dries.

Exfoliate Less Often

If you were exfoliating (hopefully with your homemade body scrub) during summer a few times a week, scale it back to maybe twice. Exfoliating is hard on your skin (though necessary) and as the weather dries out (and you start using heating indoors), being gentler is key.

Add a Vitamin C Serum

Like having a moisturizer/sunscreen combo, a Vitamin C serum is a solid year-long investment. It not only helps combat the sun’s rays but also evens your skin pigmentation and boosts collagen production. All of this results in a brighter complexion.

Winter

The season of cold, short days is upon you! Brace for the chills with a skincare routine that can handle it.

Take Shorter Showers

With how cool temperatures get, you might find yourself tempted to take long, hot showers or baths just to warm up a bit. Resist this temptation! Over-showering can dry out your skin, so keep your showers and baths a bit shorter.

Invest in a Solid Night Cream

Keep your sunscreen/moisturizer combo for during the day (yes, even gray winter days). However, amp up your skin’s moisture levels at night with a solid night cream. You have several uninterrupted hours for the cream to soak into your face, so take advantage of them.

Moisturize Frequently

Again, cooler temperatures mean drier air. Use a moisturizing body wash and apply moisturizer over your entire body about five minutes after you’re done drying off. Pay particular attention to your hands, as you wash those more frequently throughout the day.

Spring

Seen as a time of hope and new beginnings, spring brings another subtle shift to your beauty routine.

Boost Your Exfoliation

Winter skin can be dry and flaky. Add an extra day of exfoliation to your shower routine to help remove it. Don’t forget to moisturize after! Remember exfoliated skin is sensitive skin.

Spring Clean Your Tools

If you haven’t for a while, do a clean-out of your beauty products. Swap out washcloths, makeup sponges, and applicators for fresh ones. Your makeup tools are breeding grounds for bacteria (especially if you don’t wash them often) so it is important to clean all of your tools.

Consider a BB Cream or Tinted Moisturizer

Wearing a full-face foundation in winter is pretty easy; you’re unlikely to sweat it off. However, as the weather warms back up, consider switching to something lighter. A BB cream or tinted moisturizer can provide similar coverage while remaining breathable.

Why Change Your Routine for Each Season?

The four seasons each bring with them unique challenges for your skin. You need to adapt to meet those challenges to ensure your skin stays as healthy as possible. The good news is, you don’t have to completely overhaul your products every three months. A few staple products should work just fine.