Thanks to Stacy for today's question!
How do you alter your skincare routine from fall to winter?
I don’t have any radical changes these days, as I do not find my skin is as dry as it used to be, so it seems more normal most of the time. I’m more inclined to add in a hydrating serum or go for a heavier night cream or balm if I feel any dryness coming up but not any hard and fast changes that I make solely because the season has changed – they’re more changes I’d make if I noticed changes in my skin at any point. That being said, I’ve lived in either California or Arizona for my beauty-lovin’ life, so it doesn’t get nearly as cold where I live as it does in other regions.
— Christine
I tend to use a little bit more squalene oil and more of a rich moisturizer from fall to winter to keep my skin from getting dry. I tend to be more normal, but do get a little more dry in the winter months, though I still wouldn’t consider my skin dry even in the winter.
Fall where I live can mean anything from a hot, humid heat wave to snow and bitter winds. Once cold weather hits, though, it’s more skin oils for sure and I try to use moisturizers with a lower water content if I’m going to be out in the cold (they’re still fine for night time but if I’m going ice skating or walking in the cold, I go for something like Ombra Melkfett (which no longer seems to be available so I treasure the jar I have). I’m more likely to wear foundation in the colder weather (it isn’t as likely to melt/sweat away as in warmer temps). Oh, and lip balm, lip balm, lip balm!
The climate I live in doesn’t change that much between fall and winter, so my skin isn’t affected too much. Maybe a bit more moisturizer if it’s a particularly cool day. But my skin care routine stays pretty much the same year-round.
Perhaps just using an extra drop or two of Marula and Rosehip oil as my last bedtime skincare step at bedtime? That’s about it. The climate here in AZ isn’t particularly severe during winter. At least not in the Phoenix Metro area. Therefore, it’s actually summertime that impacts my skin the most. That intense dry heat sucks all the moisture out of my skin. And Monsoon season causes me to breakout on the regular. Winter is a giant relief!
I realized today, after a consistently cold past few days in NJ, that I’m going to have to shop my stash for a more moisturizing sunscreen. The Elta MD UV Physical that is just perfect over the summer and into the mild fall now seems way too dry. I have the Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light SPF 30 that I thought was nice but a little dewy for me over the summer, plus I wanted a higher SPF and some water resistance, so I put it away for a few months, but now that we have like 5 hours of daylight each day, I think 30 is enough for day-to-day. I’ve also packed away my Is Clincial cleansing gel and am just using hyrdrating cleansers for my AM and second PM cleanse (Stratia Velvet Milk at my sink, and CeraVe hydrating in the shower).
I use more lotion/creams on my hands and elbows to keep my eczema and dry skin at bay. I don’t do anything differently with my face.
More essences by day (in the summer, it’s mostly toner weight); and hydrating cream or gel over the Differin at night. If I really hydrate, it’s breakout city, which is pretty ridic at 70. Basically, I crank it up minimally. One addition for dog walking in the real cold or wind: a head/face mask. Once, accidentally, I wore it into a convenience store, and they thought it was a hold up. Now my neck requires covering under 50, and I HATE scarves. Hope that big gun Derm makes some progress for me in 19.
I live in Nebraska, where it’s 100 F in summer and 0 F in the winter, so my skin routines for body, hair, and face are a complete turn around. Light layers with a little moisture in summer, and pack it on moisture/oils in the winter! 😉
Here in the North , this year the air is cold and dry combined with indoor heating .
My skin and hair can get dry The only thing I change is in Winter I add a hydrating facial spray like Eminence Neroli hydrating spray , I even spray it in my hair , it’ really works
Our winters are cold and dry. I use a heavier night cream on my face in the winter. My hands are constantly dry in the winter it is a battle to keep them moisturized. I have had them crack and bleed before. I don’t like the feeling of cream on my hands but I am getting better at applying it more often.
I am in Florida so my change is not so dramatic. I have been using a routine that involves rosehip oil so I might use a little more of it. But if I were up north, I would probably add more oil to my routine. Definitely some kind of body oil gel after a shower.
I have to amp up the hydration & occlusives! Lips, hands, feet, face- all are slathered in some hyaluronic acid lotion then sealed in with emollients. Otherwise, I’m a flaky, crepe-y mess.
No change for me from fall to winter, but from summer to fall to winter, yes. Regular day/night skin creams versus wearing little (or less heavy) to none during the summer.
I have products I use specifically for the fall/winter. I’m on the east coast so every year I repurchase the DE marula oil and lala retro whip. It takes me through the whole season and then I’m usually out by the time the weather starts to warm up again. I also use the FAB oatmeal hydrating mask when my skin is really dehydrated.
I make sure to moisturize daily face and body after shower. Right now I been using only Cera Ve moisturizer under my light foundation and spf. At night I use a prescribed aha 0.05% for sometimes melles breakouts in bottom of face and specially chin. They tend to come and go I think is pms/menopause related. So aha at night and my daughter brought from Spain a HEVEA oil it says Aceite corporal para bebes, Flor de Azagar and is working good! Sadly I can’t find it here in the U.S. I’d love to purchase it so bad! Many other oils, coconut included just cause breakouts including my Caudalie oil. Need to find this HEVEA.