How The Change In Weather Can Affect Your Skin

Writer and expert2 years ago

We often talk about how winter weather impacts our skin and the need to protect it from the harsh wind and cold, but many of us will notice that there can be just as many issues when the weather starts to warm up. In fact, the weather can affect our skin in a variety of ways, and because no two people are the same, some may find they struggle with more skin complaints in spring than they do in winter. This article will discuss some of the most common skin issues when transitioning from cold to warm weather and how to treat or prevent them.

Shiny, Greasy Skin

During winter, when the air saps moisture from your skin, a rich cream moisturiser gives skin the added hydration it needs. However, as the weather warms up, this same formulation can sit heavily on the face, trapping in heat and resulting in greasy skin.

Even during the summer months, it’s beneficial to wear a daily moisturiser but switch from rich, creamy options to a lighter formulation. A lightweight lotion or gel will give your skin the moisture boost it craves without weighing it down.

For normal/dry skin types, try the At1 Hydrate and Nourish Day Cream. Or, for oily/combination skin, Fragrance Direct customers are raving about the bareMinerals PORELESS Oil-Free Moisturiser.

More Prone To Breakouts

Are you using the right moisturiser for your skin and the season but still experiencing breakouts? This is a common skin complaint during the warmer months, and there’s usually a very simple cause.

During summer, you spend more time outdoors and sweat a lot more frequently. Factor in your daily sun protection, which is designed to cling to the skin, and the combination is a recipe for clogged pores.

Cleansing is more important than ever during the summer months, and a two-step cleansing routine is ideal for removing the remnants of SPF that can easily be left behind. Start with a balm cleanser, like the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, to remove make-up, sweat and sunscreen from your skin, then repeat with a water-based or milk cleanser, like this one from Super Facialist, to remove trace impurities.

Sun Damage and Burns

In the winter, a moisturiser with SPF protection is an excellent choice. It’s an easy way to protect your skin from the low-level UV rays and offers adequate protection on cloudy and overcast days. However, in summer, sunburn and skin damage are serious dangers.

Despite what you may have heard, sunburn is not part and parcel of getting a tan. In fact, sunburn is the visual result of the sun’s UVB rays damaging your skin cells and causing mutations in their DNA. The redness and inflammation are caused by your blood vessels dilating to bring immune cells to the skin in order to help undo the damage. However, mutated cells which escape can become cancerous in the future.

When the sun is out and you’re spending more time outside, it’s best to keep your moisturiser and SPF separate. This ensures you get full coverage from your sunscreen and are able to top it up during the day. Ideally, look for an SPF30+ to reduce the risk of burns.

Fine Lines And Wrinkles

We’ve discussed how UVB rays can cause your skin to burn in the sun, but there’s another negative impact of sun exposure that isn’t as immediately noticeable - fine lines and wrinkles.

Although they are less intense than UVB rays, the sun’s UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers, where most cancers occur. The skin tries to protect itself from further damage by increasing its melanin, making your skin darker. And while UVA rays trigger the tanning response, they also generate free radicals, which contribute to premature ageing.

Antioxidants fight free radicals, neutralising them before they can cause further damage to your skin cells. For this reason, we highly recommend using antioxidant-rich skincare year-round for fine lines and wrinkles, such as Clarins Multi Active Antioxidant Day Emulsion.

So, when you head out into the sunshine this season, make sure you’re enjoying today but planning for tomorrow with these simple steps for protecting your skin.