Most of us have an established skincare routine that typically involves a morning and evening routine, and sometimes a weekly or monthly facial or treatment that provides your skin with a little extra nourishment or exfoliation. What a lot of people don’t know is that your skincare routine should not be the same all year round, especially if you live in a place like New York, in which the weather and climate changes drastically throughout different seasons. In New York, the weather in the summer is usually extremely hot and very humid. In the winter, the climate is completely different, with very cold temperatures and dryness due to lack of humidity as well as dry heat coming from heating units indoors. So, what does this mean for your skin? It means that instead of being sweaty and moist, your skin dries out more in the winter. In addition, due to less time spent in the sun, the winter is the perfect time to switch up your skin care treatments to the ones that require you to stay out of the sun. Below are a few changes that the average person can make in their skincare routine, if they live in a place that changes in climate and weather with the seasons.

1. Apply Different Moisturizers

In a hotter and more humid climate, your best bet is to stick to a lighter and softer moisturizer to avoid too much heaviness in the face. This is especially relevant if your skin already has the tendency to get oily. In addition, the moisturizer that you do use in the morning and for the rest of the day should be something that will protect your skin from the sun. This means that your moisturizer should contain a minimum of SPF 30 to ensure that you are protecting your skin from sun damage. Sun damage can dry out your skin and cause premature aging, including wrinkle formation and thinning of the skin, as well as sun spots and uneven pigmentation issues. This is not to say that you shouldn’t be protecting your skin from the sun in the wintertime. In fact, it is best to apply a moisturizer with SPF sun protection year round, as the winter months don’t stop the sun from shining. The only difference is that you may not be spending as much time outside as you would be in the summer. In the winter, the air tends to be overall dryer outdoors and indoors, as heating units cause the air to become dry. This inevitably affects our skin, meaning that we need to be extra careful not to let our skin dry out with the air around it. This means that you should be applying a thicker moisturizer that will absorb throughout the day, leaving your skin hydrated all day. You may also want to take a moisturizer with you to make sure that you always have one on hand in case of additional dryness throughout the day. Taking moisturizer with you wherever you go goes for the Summer and Winter months, as you should always have SPF sun protection on hand.

2. Vitamins and Infusions

In the summer it is common for most people to spend more time outdoors. This means that you will also be exposed to more environmental stress and pollution, making your skin more susceptible to damage caused by the outside. To help prevent too much damage from these inevitable outside factors, you should incorporate a vitamin C enriched antioxidant. A strong antioxidant will help protect your skin from all these environmental stressors as well as the pollution that so frequently affects our skin, especially for those of us who live in large cities. In the winter, we are naturally exposed to less sun and therefore exposed to less vitamin D, due to less time spent outside.

3. Additional Products

During the summer it is particularly important to apply sunscreen throughout the day, especially if you typically spend a lot of time outdoors. In the winter an additional product that you may benefit from carrying around with you is chapstick or lip balm. During the winter months our skin and lips become exceptionally dry due to the dryness outside in the cold, as well as the dryness indoors due to heaters. Carrying around some lip balm can be a great way to make sure that you don’t have to deal with the annoyance of having chapped lips.

4. Facials and medical grade skin treatments

Whether you prefer regular spa level facials, or more advanced medical grade facials that are offered at medical spas, there are certain treatments and facials that are more appropriate for different times of year. Dr. Schwarzburg at Skinly Aesthetics recommends that in the summer, you should stick to the less invasive treatments, such as facials at a spa to reduce oiliness and clear your pores, or to infuse vitamin C into your skin. In the winter, because you are spending more time inside, you can undergo more advanced medical grade facials such as Secret RF and Fraxel. While these treatments are okay to get in the summer, you should stay out of heat and especially for Fraxel, stay out of the sun for two weeks before and after your treatment. This can be difficult in the summer months, which is why most people tend to get such treatments in the winter time. To learn more about advanced medical skin treatments like Fraxel dual laser and more, you can check out this link. While these treatments are more advanced and must be carried out by a licenced and trained medical professional, the results will work wonders on your skin.

5. Exfoliation

Finally, you should always exfoliate your skin. This will make it easier for your skin to absorb whatever moisturizers and serums you are using. Exfoliating scrubs and treatments are particularly important in the winter, as your skin is dryer and the exfoliation will get rid of the excess dry and dead skin. This way you will not only absorb the moisture from your moisturizers better, but you will have smooth and glowing skin! Incorporating exfoliation into your bridal skincare routine tips is crucial for achieving that perfect, radiant look on your big day. Just be sure to choose a gentle exfoliant that suits your skin type to avoid irritation, especially if you’re close to the wedding date. Regular exfoliation, paired with hydration, will leave your skin prepped and flawless for makeup application and those all-important wedding photos!