Daylight savings has officially kicked in which means warmer weather is on the horizon. Your wardrobe will undergo its seasonal shakeup, swapping out the boots and jackets for sandals and shorter hemlines, but what about your beauty routine? Your skin may be in need of a refresh too.
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It turns out our mood isn’t the only thing affected by the weather. Just like the seasons, our skin goes through different phases and requires different levels types and levels of support throughout the year.
How does seasonal change affect the skin?
Have you ever found your holy grail moisturiser turns on you suddenly and stops delivering results? There’s a reason for that: seasonal change. While not everyone will experience the effects of seasonal change to the same degree, there are definitely commonly shared issues among most skin types.
It’s also the sudden changes in weather that skin is particularly sensitive to. You know those four seasons in one day kind of days - cold spells, sunshine, humidity and wind – it can take a huge toll on our complexion. Then, when artificial heating or air conditioning is added to the mix, our skin barrier is thrown out of whack and has to work even harder to adapt and repair.
Below is a snapshot of common changes you may see in your skin as the seasons change…
Autumn & Winter
In the winter, rapidly changing temperatures, from heated indoors to cold outdoors, are harsh on the skin and capillaries. The prolonged exposure to wet weather also slows down cell renewal and circulation, as well as strips the skin's barrier function. Overall, you’ll notice your skin just doesn’t operate like it used to - not to mention the effects of winters ills and chills on skin performance! As your skin gets put through the ringer expect to see more dryness and irritation than usual - and most likely a duller complexion. While tempting, try to reduce frequency of super-hot showers and tone down the central heating.
Spring
Finally there’s light (literally) at the end of the tunnel. Spring is the safest and most skin-friendly of the four seasons. The chills of winter are replaced with a happy medium warmer temperature and less wind. However, allergies are out in full force and hay fever sufferers may find their skin extra sensitive. Pollen does not do wonders for our sinuses or skin, especially around the nose area which often ends up itchy and dry following sneezing fits.
Thankfully, re.skin re.form is brimming with plenty of anti-inflammatory ingredients to reduce redness and relieve irritation:
- Known as the superfood for skin, Jojoba Oil delivers a multitude of long-lasting benefits. A natural source of Vitamin E and B, it protects skin from aggressors while providing 24-hour hydration. The gentle oil also assists with oil control, regulating sebum levels and regenerating skin cells, which helps to fight premature ageing.
- Pomegranate Seed Oil is an anti-inflammatory oil bursting with antioxidants, which help to fend off free radicals and keep skin ageing at bay. It stimulates cell turnover, revives skin and ultimately reveals a more youthful appearance.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of Evening Primrose Oil also help to alleviate redness, itching, dry patches and rashes on the skin.
- Kiwifruit Seed Oil is an antioxidant-packed ingredient containing more than 60 per cent OMEGA –3, an important essential fatty acid (EFA) effective in skin cell renewal.
Summer
From humidity to UV damage, it’s easily the season that poses the most threat to our skin. Warmer weather is a breeding ground for bacteria while sunscreen is typically comedogenic (clogs pores), which is why it’s the season often associated with problem skin. The texture of skin is generally oilier and shinier, which can further aggravate pre-existing skin conditions like eczema.
Due to a spike in oil production and sweat you’ll most likely need to ramp up the cleansing – once in the A.M and a double cleanse at night. We also recommend cleansing after exercising to prevent perspiration breakouts.
Summer is the most important season to pare back your skincare regime. Ditch rich and heavy moisturisers in favour of a multi-purpose serum and SPF.