Like it or not, autumn and winter is just around the corner. The days have grown cooler, and days shorter, with the coldest weather still to come.
Many of us reach for an extra layer to keep warm and crank up the heating. But do you also think about how these temperatures affect your skin? Some of us slather on extra moisturiser and hope for the best, but we rarely stop to think about if that’s the best route to go down.
Seasonal changes can be a nightmare for your skin.
You think you’ve got your routine sorted, but as the weather cools, you might find your skin growing dryer, irritated and tight. If you’re already struggling with skin concerns such as rosacea or acne, the cold weather really won’t do much for that either.
But there are things you can do to combat the effects of the seasons transitioning. First, though, it’s important to understand why.
Why does your skin change when the weather does?
Spring, summer, autumn and winter all come with associated weather patterns with each having its own temperature and humidity range, and these fluctuations can really affect your skin.
Now, as summer turns to autumn, you’ve likely noticed the air cooling and growing drier. When this becomes winter, this intensifies, and we get even colder air and brisk, chill winds.
Throughout this, your skin is doing its best to stay hydrated. But when there’s less moisture in the air and harsher conditions, it becomes more and more of a challenge - especially when we escape indoors to avoid the weather and turn up the central heating to warm up.
That scalding hot shower you take to drive away the chill?? Well it really doesn't help either!
The weather, combined with the methods we use to combat the cold, both cause dryness and irritation in our skin. Your skin may start to become dry/flaky on your face and body, and you might notice you’re more prone to inflammation.
If we keep an eye on how the changes in seasons are affecting our skin, we can combat the side effects early on. We can prevent irritation and generally unhappy skin.
From warm to cooler weather, and what it does...
When the temperature drops, and the humidity falls, your skin cries out for hydration. Cold weather can lead to cracks in the outer layers of your skin, inflammation and a general lack of moisture, all of which can seriously impact your overall skin health.
"Skin is the foundation" Caroline Hirons
This is because the skin barrier is disrupted, and even more so when you leave the colder winter weather and step into an overheated building that circulates hot, dry air. You might find yourself suddenly itchy and feeling dry and parched. This dryness can lead to a build-up of excess dry skin, which is likely to clog your pores and cause your skin to break out or flare up. In addition, many of us tend to comfort eat during the colder months, and this, too, can upset the hormonal balance of our skin.
How can I tackle the effects of cooler weather?
Change to a gentler facial cleanser during the winter to avoid harsher chemicals that might further dry out your skin. A milky lotion can help to improve your skin’s lipids and works best when you use toner less often.
Gently exfoliate if you feel the need to, to help remove dead skin cells. A physical exfoliator is likely to be less friendly to your skin in the cooler months. Consider opting for a gentle chemical peel that doesn’t disrupt your skin’s barrier. A manual exfoliation treatment, such as Dermaplaning will really help to shed the dead skin cells from your face, which in turn will allow your skincare products to really penetrate the skin.
You might want to try a heavier moisturiser to retain your skin’s moisture. You should also ensure you’re using a serum that gives your skin the hydration it needs to avoid dry patches. If you have oily skin, stick to a light moisturiser – but don’t skip it entirely.
For dry skin, look for moisturising products that contain emollients and physiological lipids such as Ceramides. These can encourage your epidermis to produce the correct balance of lipids and renew the skin to protect it from the environment by retaining hydration.
For any skincare treatments, to get the best results, consistency is the key. We use Toskani Medical Grade Skincare products in the clinic, which contain the latest active ingredients.
We also have some lovely skincare packages available to help get you through these colder months, glowing from the inside out ❤️