Like it or not, we are in the midst of winter, with potentially colder weather yet to come. The days have grown cooler and days shorter. 

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 do we rarely stop to think about if that’s actually the most appropriate treatment.

Seasonal changes can be a nightmare for your skin; you think you’ve got your skincare 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 changes?

Spring, summer, autumn and winter have associated weather patterns, each with its temperature and humidity range.  These types of fluctuations can impact your skin.

As summer turns to autumn, you’ll likely notice the air cooling and drier.  When this becomes winter, this intensifies, and we get even colder air and brisk, chill winds.

Throughout these changes, 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 challenging – especially when we escape indoors to avoid said weather and turn up the central heating to warm up or when we have a scalding hot shower to drive away the chill.  None of these things help.

The weather and the methods we use to combat the cold 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 seasons affect our skin, we can combat the side effects early on. 

From warm to cooler temperatures, and what it does…

When the temperature drops and humidity levels fall, 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, which can seriously impact your overall skin health.

“Skin is the foundation” Caroline Hirons

This happens because the skin barrier is disrupted, even more so when you step into an overheated building that circulates hot, dry air.  You might find yourself feeling itchy, 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, which can also upset our skin’s hormonal balance.

How can I tackle the effects of cooler weather?

• Change to a more gentle facial cleanser during winter to avoid the harsh chemicals that might further dry out your skin.  A more milky type lotion can help to improve your skin’s cells and works best when you use toner less often.
• Gently exfoliate if you need to to help remove dead skin cells.  A physical exfoliator will likely 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 help remove the dead skin cells from your face, allowing your skincare products to 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, such as Hyaluronic Acid, 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 such as Ceramides. These can encourage your epidermis to produce the correct balance of cells and renew the skin to protect it from the environment by retaining hydration.

Consistency is the key to any skincare treatment to get the best results.