Habit Hack: Seasonal Changes and the Impact on your Skin

With a change in season comes a different temperature, humidity, wind and UV exposure which can all affect your skin. Skin tends to be dryer in the winter, and oilier (or at least less dry) in the summer. This is because the swing from a cold external environment into warm, heated interiors can create some radical moisture fluctuations that throw your skin’s natural balance out of whack.  Today we will go over how the colder seasons affect your skin and the habit hacks to use to adjust your skincare routine accordingly.

How Colder Weather impacts your skin

Daily weather and the changing seasons can considerably impact the skin's health, especially as we approach colder months. Stress and pollution are two significant factors known to contribute to this issue, but there is a third problem in the picture: climate. Our skin likes consistency, so when variables, like weather, change without warning, it can take us by surprise. As we shift from Summer to Autumn/Winter, temperature & humidity drop, making our skin work harder to maintain adequate hydration - resulting in dryer skin! The change in our routines contributes to drier skin, like taking hot showers and using central heating in homes, meaning we are moving from cold to hot environments - resulting in our skin being out of balance.

How to Adapt Your Skincare Routine

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, hydrate! Keep your hydration levels high to help support your skin in keeping its moisture levels. Its vital to have active ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Peptides are super important to help retain moisture. It’s equally important to make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day too. Your skin will thank you for the support!

2. Moisturise Straight after you shower: The timing of moisturising your skin is also essential. After a shower, gently pat your skin with your towel and apply moisturiser immediately. Since moisturisers are designed to trap moisture in your skin, they won't work on skin that's super dry since the skin doesn't have moisture to trap. Moisturising damp skin is much more effective, especially if your skin is already dry. 

3. Don't forget your SPF. Just because it's gloomy and cold, doesn't mean there are no UV rays out there! If you are indoors, going for a walk or even in the snow - it's important to use sunscreen even in winter. 

4. Be careful with exfoliators: Especially chemical exfoliators like AHA & BHAs. You might think seeing dry flaking skin means you need to remove the dead skin, but this can be damaging to your skin. These actives strip your skin's moisture and oil which is already at low levels during the colder months. Instead, moisturise! 

5. Look out for fragrance-free products: When you have dry skin, your skin is extra sensitive. Avoiding fragrances can help prevent irritation and aggravation of the skin.

6. Use a Humidifier. Running a humidifier in your home or office can moisturise the air, helping to keep your skin moisturised. Run the humidifier in rooms you spend the most time in, and try to keep indoor humidity levels at around 30 to 50%. Turning it on while you sleep overnight might be a viable option.