So many things change with the seasons. Clothing, schedules and of course, skincare! I always switch up my routine and the products I use depending on the time of year. The skin reacts differently throughout the year, so a skincare routine that works in summer can easily lead to dryness, congestion, or irritation in winter. You don’t necessarily have to switch out every product for something new but there are a few important changes that should be made. Today’s post is going to be a roundup of practical tips on how to adapt your routine season by season.

5 Seasonal Skin Care Tips

Seasonal skincare is not about completely replacing a routine every few months. It’s about making small adjustments to cleanser texture, hydration levels, exfoliation frequency, and active ingredients. This changes can help maintain balance and prevent common concerns like irritation, congestion, dryness, and dullness. Seasonal skincare is most effective when routines adapt to the skin’s changing needs instead of remaining static throughout the year.

Does Your Skin Change With the Seasons?

It’s natural for everyone’s skin to change throughout the year. The environment and especially the temperatures outside will have the greatest impact. The skin naturally changes throughout the year as oil production, hydration levels, and sensitivity fluctuate with environmental conditions. The cold weather often reduces natural oil production and increases dryness, while heat and humidity can lead to excess sweat, congestion, and breakouts. Transitional seasons like spring and fall also tend to increase skin reactivity because the skin is adjusting to rapid changes in climate and allergens, etc.

How Does Weather Affect Your Skin?

Cold weather

Reduces natural oil production and increases dryness, tightness, and flaking

Heat and humidity

Lead to excess sweat, oil buildup, and clogged pores

Wind exposure

Weakens the skin barrier and triggers redness or irritation

Indoor heating and air conditioning

Dehydrate skin and worsen sensitivity

UV exposure

Contributes to pigmentation, collagen breakdown, and premature aging year-round

Should You Change Your Skincare Seasonally?

A complete overhaul is not necessary but seasonal skincare adjustments will help maintain balance as environmental conditions shift throughout the year. Look at making gradual product texture and ingredient adjustments based on changes in hydration, oil production, and sensitivity. What you add or remove from your skincare routine will often depend on your skin type but there are some generalized tips that can be helpful to anyone.

Skincare Tips For Seasonal Changes

Spring Skin Care Tips

Temperatures can fluctuate rapidly during the spring season so this is the time to identify which products you want to switch out. Are there products that you use regularly in winter that may feel too heavy for summer? Also seasonal allergies are a huge issue in the spring so adding in any products that can help to reduce irritation or sensitivity could help.

Summer Skin Care Tips

Once the heat and humidity set in, switch to a lighter moisturizer. Focus on products that have lighter textures and offer tons of hydration. Sun protection is the main priority in the summer months because we spend more time outdoors. Choose wide brimmed hats when you go outside, wear protective clothing when possible and don’t forget to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen every single day. Many people cite skin cancer as one of the main reasons to proactively protect your skin but that is only one issue that can come from prolonged sun exposure. Other skin problems like hyperpigmentation, increased aging due to sun damage and intense dehydration can occur if you aren’t properly protecting your skin.

Fall Skin Care Tips

Much like in spring, fall is a time of transition so you can begin to identify what products in your routine need to change for the upcoming colder weather.

Winter Skin Care Tips

Both summer and winter bring extreme weather so focus on changing some of the more important parts of your skincare routine. Rich, barrier strengthening moisturizers are key for helping fight dry skin. Using a humidifier at home and taking lukewarm showers are all things that can help keep your skin healthy and hydrated despite the freezing temperatures.

How To Transition Skincare Routine Between Seasons

Evaluate changes in hydration, oil production, and sensitivity

Depending on your skin type, you could experience more or less oil production throughout the year. Sensitivity will fluctuate due to the extreme temperature changes so don’t switch over your entire routine at one time.

Adjust cleanser texture first

Start by changing your cleanser in the transition seasons (spring/fall). Opt for something like a gel in the spring/summer and a cream/milk in the fall/winter.

A few summer cleanser recommendations: Dieux Baptism Cleanser and OneSkin Prep Cleanser (code: MAREE15)

For more hydrating formulas, here are my winter cleanser recommendations: Tatcha Rice Wash and La Roche Posay Gentle Hydrating Cleanser.

Gradually increase or reduce the moisturizer weight

The other product category that is essential to change throughout the seasons is your moisturizer. Lighter weight formulas are best in the warmer months (even for dry skin types). Heavier moisturizers can help with dryness in the cold weather but find one that suits your specific skin type.

Summer moisturizer favorites: OneSkin OS-01 Face Topical Supplement (code: MAREE15), Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream

My must have winter moisturizers: Dieux Instant Angel, INNBEAUTY Extreme Cream and Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh (code: MAREE15)

Modify exfoliation frequency based on irritation levels

Because we tend to be outside in the sun more often during the spring/summer, it’s best to reduce your exfoliation frequency. Exfoliation can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and allow for further damage so lessen your use of your favorite exfoliating products during the warmer months. I often will then increase my exfoliation use in the winter to help with any dryness that occurs from the colder weather.

Introduce stronger active ingredients slowly

If you find that your skin does react when the seasons change, the best way to combat this is to pare down your skincare routine to only the basics. Cleanse, moisturize and protect (SPF). Once your skin is balanced and responding well to the season change, you can begin to introduce your active ingredients again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Seasonal Skin Care

How often often to update skincare for changing seasons?

It’s only necessary to update your skincare twice a year. Having a set routine for the warmer months versus the colder months is the best way to determine when to switch things up.

Why does skin complexion change with the seasons?

Our skin is often the first line of defense against the elements so it will always change when the seasons do.

Related posts:

Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

Affordable Skincare Products For Mature Skin

I’ve never been a huge fragrance connoisseur but have slowly been testing new-to-me brands that I’ve fallen in love with. My love for fragrance has been growing steadily with all these new introductions – especially my summer scent collection. Today’s post will be a breakdown of all the perfumes and body mists that I will be wearing this summer.

My Summer Fragrance Collection

Body Mists

Lake & Skye 444 Sunkissed + Monoi Hair & Body Mist (discount code: MAREE15)

While this isn’t exceptionally long wearing, I was obsessed with this scent all last summer. It’s the perfect warm weather fragrance. Top notes are bergamot, strawberry, pineapple. Middle notes are jasmine, raspberry, solar and coconut. Base notes are musk, sandalwood and cedarwood.

Phlur Peach Skin Body Mist

I’m a huge fan of peachy scents though don’t own that many because I rarely find ones that I love. This is a velvety scent that smells like a juicy peach with a bit of warmth. Not too sweet and not too tart. Top notes are peach bellini, plum, peach skin and bergamot. Middle notes are white freesia, vanilla orchid and jasmine nectar. Base notes are milky sandalwood, sheer amber and coconut caramel.

Orebella Nectar Dew

I didn’t realize that I was a fig lover until recently when two of my newest favorite fragrances both happen to contain fig! This is a hair/body mist which is perfect for the summer but doesn’t last as long as traditional perfumes. Even though it isn’t as long lasting, the scent is a fresh fruity floral that feels light and airy. Top notes are bergamot, cassis, pear nectar, lemon and fig. Middle notes are orange blossom, princess peony, pink pepper and freesia. Base notes are tonka, musk, sandalwood, sweet praline and vetiver.

Perfumes

NOYZ Rinse Cycle

I’ve only tried two fragrances from NOYZ  but both became instant favorites. They offer a bit more unique scents that are still easy to wear. As the name suggests, this is designed to evoke the smell of fresh laundry. That may sound a bit odd but trust me it’s absolutely divine!! It’s a fresh, clean musk scent that is easy to wear all year round. Top notes are guava, anoj pear and lemon. Middle notes are cherry blossom, musk flower and pink waterlily. Base notes are liquid musk, sandalwood and vanilla bean.

Commodity Milk Orchid

I never thought I would be into creamy or milky scents but this made me want to try as many as I can. It’s another new-to-me fragrance brand that made me an instant fan after smelling this scent. It’s a floral gourmand without being too powdery or overly sweet. Another great year round scent though I can definitely see myself wearing it regularly all summer long. Top notes are fig milk and coconut cream. Middle notes are vanilla orchid and magnolia. Base notes are macadamia milk and sandalwood.

NOYZ Only Human Fragrance

This is described as a skin-hugging gourmand which honestly sounded a bit odd when I first read it. Then I smelled the fragrance and felt it was the perfect description! It’s one of the most unique scents I’ve tried yet still became a favorite almost instantly. I will be repurchasing this the minute it runs out. It’s not overly sweet and delicate enough to wear in the warmer weather though it will transition perfectly into the colder months as well. Top notes are pink pepper and italian bergamot. Middle notes are waterlily and bamboo. Base notes are vanilla bean, ambroxan and cedarwood.

Snif Only Sunshine

While the prior three perfumes in this roundup are easy to wear year round, this is a summer-only scent. It’s the perfect tropical fruit scent that evokes all the feelings of summer. It’s a fruity floral with a touch of the ocean. Top notes are mango, papaya and sea breeze. Middle note is orange blossom. Base notes are amber and musk.

Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita

Much like the last fragrance, this is a warm weather scent exclusively. It’s tropical and fruity which is not something I reach for in the colder months. As the name suggests, it’s a tropical fruit heavy scent with a creamy dry down that makes it softer and more feminine. Top notes are guava juice, banana, bergamot and tropical waterlily. Middle notes are cavaillon melon, coconut palm and mango blossom. Base notes are vanilla, sandalwood and amber musk.

Dedcool Xtra Milk

The only way to describe this fragrance is a no fragrance fragrance. It’s very lightweight and smells differently on everyone’s body chemistry. Wear it alone or layer it with other scents – either way this universal musk perfume is a cult classic for good reason. I wouldn’t only wear this during the summer but it does develop nicely on the skin especially in the heat. Top note is bergamot. Middle note is white musk. Bottom note is amber.