Adverse Effects of Changing Seasons on Skin?

Did you know people are more likely to have skin issues in summer than winter? Keep reading to find out about how changing seasons can affect our skin.

You have finally devised the best skincare regime anyone can ever think of. What could even go wrong? Nothing! Everything seems perfect and taken care of starting from cleansing to moisturising. You are confident by the time summer will be around you will have the most radiant and glowing skin of all. Yay, beach season!

But here’s the catch, have you ensured the effectiveness of your plan? For instance, have you considered the adverse effect of changing seasons on your skin if any? If you already have dry skin, have you taken extra steps mandatory to provide your skin with an additional layer of protection during dry and low humid seasons? What about excessive acne breakouts during hot summers? Further, have you considered the likely effects of sky-high temperatures and increased radiation levels on your skin? All these matters can either make or break your skin care routine.

People assume that making a skin care routine and following it thoroughly is all that it takes to ward off skin problems and that is nothing but a myth. At this point, one might question about the how seasons can affect their skin and what can they do to insure their skin from the same. That is exactly what this article is all about. Stay tune and continue reading to know more about how different seasons can negatively impact your skin and what you can do to handle those issues like a pro.

How Changing Seasons Affect Your Skin?

With every passing day, week, month nature around us undergoes a lot of changes. It’s an endless cycle of change and restoration that our planet passes through tirelessly every year. After every summer there is winter and vice versa. These changing seasons bring along a lot of environmental changes. Level of humidity, winds, temperatures fluctuate as per the season. The concentration of microbes, pollens and other allergenic substances vary a lot on the basis of the weather of a region.

While continuous change in season can be favorable for our ecosystem the same cannot be said for our skin. Our skin has to face a plethora of challenges with every change in season. Even though our skin has the ability to adapt with changing conditions, it is not always that it can keep up with sudden and ruthless weather changes. These challenges are not limited only to people having excessively oily skin, dry skin or sensitive skin even people having normal skin type can fall victim to the changing weather conditions.

As a matter of fact, there are enough evidences to demonstrate that sizable amount of skin issues and diseases have worsened over a course of time when exposed to abrupt weather changes. For instance, conditions such as eczema, dermatitis or other skin allergies can aggravate during summers due to increased production of sweat. You can even feel these effects in other subtler forms such as increased level of tightness or dryness during winters. Noticing all these unwanted changes on your body and skin may force you to freak out. Needless to say, one needs to take into account the potential effects that frequent changes in temperature and environment can cause.

As if all of this was not enough our world is also witnessing rapid climate change which worsens the situations even more. Association of elevated levels of radiations with risk of skin cancer has caused havoc in the beauty community. Exposure to high temperatures for long period of time can cause problems like red patches, skin burns and so on. These problems can be extreme especially for those living in regions along the equator.

All of this may sound frightening at the beginning and it might even be difficult for some to imagine the collective impact that changing seasons can have on your skin. But don’t you worry because in our next sections we are going to present you with an in-depth analysis of adverse effects that you can expect changing seasons to cause. Along with that we will also give you some tips and tricks on how you can ward them off. So, stay tuned!

Adverse Effects of Soaring Temperatures

Alongside bright and colorful wardrobe, spring comes bearing a lot of skin problems for us. The gradual rises in temperature are followed by scorching summer heatwaves. When the scale begins to warm up degree by degree, it causes humidity levels to rise too. All this in turn contribute to increased sweat and oil production which can make the skin acne prone even for people with normal skin types. Individuals with oily skins are more likely to suffer from more frequent breakouts due to an increased rate at which sweat and sebum are secreted by the oil glands. Dehydration is a lot more common in summers which is one of the leading causes of dryness, dullness, patchy skin, under-eye circle and chapped lips.

Excess sweat production promotes conducive environment for various bacterial and fungal infections. Foul body odor and rashes on sensitive areas are also some of the problems that can be caused by summers. People already diagnosed with skin issues and diseases and undergoing medication can witness aggravation or flare-ups in pre-existing symptoms or conditions. A built up of oil, dirt and dead skin on surface of the face can make it feel a lot oily and heavy. As if all of this was not enough exposure to radiations from atmosphere for prolonged hours is an easy way to invite a huge list of problems like, sunspots, sunburn, pigmentation, skin cancer, early aging.

All this information is enough to freak out even the most reasonable adult out there. But there’s no need to freak out because we are not just going to list the problems without giving you a solution. Keep reading to find out exactly how what you can do to bail yourself out from adverse effects of gruesome summer.

Rethink Your Moisturizer

Summer is not the time to laden your skin with layers of moisturizers since this is the time wherein the production level of sweat, oil and sebum have already raised out of the roofs. Instead, this is the time to take a back seat and opt for lighter and non-comedogenic products. Doing so will prevent buildup of oil and sebum on the surface of your face which in turn is responsible for clogged pores. Think of drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Oil Removing Products

Irrespective of if your skin is dry or normal you should consider looking for some skincare products designed specifically for oil control. While choosing soap bars or cleansers pay attention the ingredients used. Look for products made up of elements like salicylic acid which when combined with any good chemical exfoliator for a gentle and deeper cleanse.

Say No to Heavy Makeup

Heavy foundations and makeup products can build a barrier on your skin and possibly suffocate your pores. If you want to go easy on your skin try light and non-comedogenic cosmetics. Heavy cosmetics can potentially thicken the existing layer of dirt, oil and product build up and cause frequent breakouts.

Make Sunscreen your Friend

To protect you from those hazardous cancer-causing radiations never step out of your home without a layer of sunscreen. Always opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 to shield from those UVA and UVB rays.

Cool off

Avoid coming in contact with hot water or even taking steam baths. A wrong idea is prevalent that the more you bath the cleaner you get. That is an absolute myth because over showering will do exactly the opposite. Bathing for longer times can make the skin dry and flare-up existing conditions.

Adverse Effects of Dropping Temperatures

Well, it is no surprise that summers have more adverse effects on our skins than winter. Yet winters can be cruel too. With a steep drop in temperatures followed by a drop in humidity levels cold weathers can literally suck the life off from anything living. The dry winds combined with a low humid weather than crack up the skin, cause inflammation and loss of hydration. Dry skin demands to be catered to intensely throughout the year and especially in winters.

The cold weather negatively impacts the skin barrier hence making it more susceptible to various problems like irritation and inflammation. To add to the woes, a sudden change in lifestyle, diet and use of various heat generating appliance at home can further contribute to dryness and inflammation. All this ultimately can have adverse effects on our skin. Our skin has to put in extra efforts to maintain the optimum level of hydration.

You might wonder if there’s something that you could do. Here are a few suggestions you can put into practice to protect your skin from being affected adversely during colder times.

Moisturise Well

Moisturising frequently with the right kind of product be it a lotion, soap, facewash or anything for that matter. Make it a habit to not go without moisturising for more than 60 seconds after your shower. Doing this will help you lock in moisture for longer time period. Opt for thicker creams made up of ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.

Choose Your Soap Wisely

Always opt for the right kind of soap bar when it comes to your face. To avoid dry or rough skin creamy cleansers are the best pick. Do not forget to keep you skin type in mind while buying soap or facewash. You can even pick mild and gentle herbal soaps containing various essential oils and other natural ingredients.

Invest in a Humidifier

Since low humidity levels lie at the root of all problems ne can invest in a good humidifier to increase the levels of humidity indoors. Increases humidity levels can reduce the occurrence of cracked dry skin and inflammation

Diet

Apart from external solutions, the most important aspect which can make or break your skin’s health is your diet. Try to include whole foods rich in various nutrients and minerals such as zinc, calcium, Omega 3 fatty aids and so on.

Avoid Hot Water Baths

As much tempting it is to use hot water to bathe you should altogether avoid doing it. As mentioned earlier, hot water baths can lead to skin dryness and itchiness.

Tips to Transitioning in between Seasons Like a PRO

Here are a few tips which can help you conquer the seasonal changes like a pro.

Revamp Your Skin Care Regime

Though the weather in uncontrollable but maintaining the health of your skin is totally in your hands. Now as you are aware of all the possible adverse effects that changing seasons can have on your skin, you can be well prepared. Revise your skin care regime before the onset of any weather change. It could be as simple as replacing a product or changing the whole regime itself. Look for weather friendly options also without losing track of your skin type.

Opt for Skin Procedures

If you have been planning on for a while for any special skin procedures but are unsure of when to schedule the same, we would suggest that seasonal shifts like this are the best time. Performing skin procedures on the edge of a particular season can give your skin enough time to heal before the weather goes haywire. This way you can control the impact of the skin procedure performed.

Ask an Expert

Do not ever hesitate to seek professional help or advice from your dermatologist. They always have your welfare in mind. Further always reach out to your nearest skin care expert for any product prescriptions because the expert will perform in-depth analysis of your skin and will be able to give the best possible advice in your interest.

Summing it up

Just like seasons affect our diets, lifestyles, fashion it can have a huge sometimes even adverse effects on our skin. In order to counter such negative impacts consistency is the key. Having devised a perfect care routine is not enough. While summer are infamous for messing up the skin with excess oil and sweat, winters are the culprits for that dry and flaky skin. You need to be meticulous about your routine and follow it religiously without fail. Starting from cleaning, toning, moisturising to following a healthy diet and regular visits to dermatologists will guarantee that your skin looks and feels best at all times.

This all must surely sound overwhelming and must be a lot to take in one sitting but if you keep in mind the suggestions provided here for maintaining your skin you can surely avoid the adverse effects of changing seasons on your skin.