How to adjust skincare when the weather changes

When the weather changes, keep the core of your routine the same (gentle cleanser, moisturizer, daily sunscreen) and adjust only texture and amount. Drier, colder air usually calls for a richer layer or a little more moisturizer. Hot, humid weather usually calls for lighter textures. Change one product at a time.

What stays the same all year

• Gentle cleansing with lukewarm water.
• A moisturizer you use morning and night.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning. UV exposure doesn’t stop in winter, and snow and water reflect it.

Moving into colder, drier months

• Watch for tightness and flaking. They are early signs your routine needs more moisture. Why skin feels tight after cleansing.
• Use a slightly richer layer, or a little more of your usual cream, especially at night.
• Moisturize soon after washing, while skin is still slightly damp from patting dry.
• Turn the water temperature down, including in the shower.
• Consider a humidifier if indoor heating makes the air very dry.
• Go gently with exfoliants and retinol. Dry, windburned skin can be more reactive. Reduce frequency if you notice irritation.

Moving into warmer, more humid months

• Try a lighter texture if creams start to feel heavy.
• Use less of your usual moisturizer rather than skipping it.
• Reapply sunscreen as its label directs, and after sweating or swimming.
• Cleanse after sweating. Skincare after a workout.

Air conditioning and travel

Air-conditioned offices, planes and hotels can be as drying as winter. Keep your usual moisturizer handy, and don’t try new products on a trip. Packing a short routine.

How to change your routine without confusing your skin

1. Identify the problem: tight, flaky, shiny or congested.
2. Change one thing, such as the amount, the texture or the cleanser.
3. Give it a week or two before judging.
4. If it helped, keep it. If not, change it back and try something else.

Why one change at a time works.

Storage in hot weather

Heat and sunlight can change some formulas. Keep products out of hot cars and off sunny windowsills, and follow each label’s storage directions. Does skincare need a fridge?

When to see a professional

Persistent cracking, redness, itching or eczema flares aren’t just seasonal dryness. A dermatologist can help.

A cream you use all year makes the rest easier to adjust around: 001 Copper Peptide Cream, morning and night, with more or less as the season needs.

Photography: 360floralflaves / Unsplash. Editorial photograph.