As seasons change, some usually weave in how you should modify your skincare routine to suit seasonal changes. While this can be useful sometimes, such pieces of seasonal advice on skincare are often not true, and even more, some popular myths can be more damaging than beneficial. From false advertising to misclassification of what one’s skin actually requires under particularly inclement weather conditions, it is about time we debunked these seasonal skin myths and put them in the bin and give you the truth about skincare and how best to keep your skin healthy regardless of the season.
You will appreciate the beauty of real skin and how to make sure it doesn’t work against you as we will in this post and expose some of the most popular of myths.
Myth #1: You Don’t Need Sunscreen In The Winter
Truth: Keep in mind that sunscreen is essential every day even more so in winter emergencies.
As it turns out one of the greatest misconceptions in skin care is the fact that sunscreen application is only required during summer months or on bright sunny days. This couldn’t be further from the fact. UV rays especially UVA are found all year long as they can go through clouds as well as fog or even glass. As a matter of fact, even on cloudy days, chances of one getting sunburnt are high as studies show that statistically about 80% of UVA rays still penetrate the skin.
Why it’s important:
- People should take this topic seriously as UV damage to the skin is cumulative and the more sun exposure one has over the years, the some of the side effects will be besides chest mesh a greater risk for skin cancer.
- It is possible for snow to cause sunburn. It can reflect Ultraviolet rays therefore enhancing one’s exposure to the sun during the cold months of winter, which may lead to sunburn.
What you should do: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF on it every day of the year. It is essential to keep to this rule throughout the year. If you are outside, you will need to reapply it every two hours.
Myth # 2: There Is No Need For Summer Moisturizing For People With Oily Skin
Truth: Even in hot and humid weather, oily skin needs hydration as well.
So oil-skinned persons think that in summer it is not needed to use a moisturizer, as too much oil is already being produced by the skin. In warmer months, that may be true and the skin does get oilier, but that is not due to moisturizers only. When the environment is dry, your skin suffers and a panic reaction will take place. Excess oil can be made by the skin in order to compensate for the lost water, causing irritation and acne.
Why it’s important:
- Oil production and moisture levels are two different things. Dehydrated skin can trigger more oil production, which leads to imbalance and breakouts.
- Skipping moisturizer can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, leading to irritation or even more pronounced oiliness.
What you should do: In summer, it is advisable to choose lightweight, oil-free moisturizers to provide adequate moisture without excess grease. Products that contain aloe vera or contain hyaluronic acid work well in such cases because they do not block pores. You can combine them with tea tree oil to help fight breakouts!
Myth #3: You Should Use The Same Products No Matter The Season.
Truth: Each season brings its unique challenges to the skin.
A common misconception is that people can use the same skincare products in every season and change nothing in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. While it is essential to stick to some routine, it is also important to acknowledge that our skin responds to the weather. During the winter season, skin care products need to incorporate more moisture and barrier benefits while during summer skin care products need to be lighter and less comedogenic.
Why it’s important:
- Changes in humidity, temperature, and exposure to environmental elements such as air circles, sun, or wind can replace moisture in the skin causing oil production in the skin and or creating irritation.
- Disregarding these seasonal changes can lead to skin concerns such as dehydration, oily skin, and skin irritation.
What you should do: Adapt your regimen to seasonal changes. For example, during winter, utilize a heavy, oil-based moisturizer and during summer, stick to a lightweight and oil-free gel-based moisturizer. Apply more of the exfoliants in winter to get rid of the icky dry skin and apply some mattifying/oil-controlling products whenever it is hot and humid.
Myth #4: In Winter, You Do Not Have To Exfoliate Because It Is Not Needed
Truth: It is important to exfoliate gently during all periods of the year in order to have smooth, healthy skin.
There is one more seasonal misconception, that winter exfoliation should be avoided as it can aggravate dry or sensitive skin. However, while yes, it is indeed the case that over-exfoliation can be hurtful, there is a need to exfoliate regularly if only softly owing to the amount of dead skin that builds up that one can expect especially in cold and dry conditions.
Why it’s important:
- Such skin cell build-up can restrict the penetration of moisturizers and other creams completely.
- Working in a crowded room with heating, it isn’t unusual to see ashy arms and hands that appear smooth in the summer. In such instances, winter exfoliation comes in handy to help even out the skin’s surface and enhance the appearance.
What you should do: While this applies All Year, it is more critical in the winter. Every week, devoid of exfoliating scrubs or other extreme measures, a lactic acid or enzymatic peel can be employed a few days once or more a week or less at the height of summer to ensure that skin remains free from any rough edges without the aid of any commercial products that are meant to soften the skin. Just leave out coarse scrubs or excessive exfoliation, especially if a coarse scrub has not been handy; in such cases, inflammation is the order of the day.
Myth #5: Heavier Creams Are Also Not Required Other Than In Cold Weather Months
Truth: Creams with a lot of moisture are appropriate to use irrespective of the season, but mainly in winter depending on the type of the skin.
While some people think heavy creams are only for winter, this is also wrong. However, individuals with dry or mature skin may need a heavier moisturizer even when it’s warm outside if they are also in air conditioning as it can be very drying like winter cold air.
Why it’s important:
- Summer winds and air conditioning can put a lot of stress on the skin and often you will be left with dry skin that feels thirsty after sun exposure as well.
- Skin types that are dry or have a damaged skin barrier may need to use extra-rich products to keep the skin hydrated and healthy all throughout the year.
What you should do: If your skin feels hot and dry all rush hours in winter or even in summertime, thick night cream moisturizers are always available to be slathered on whenever. Use ceramide or shea butter-containing cream to prevent loss of water from the skin.
Conclusion
Do not allow these seasonal skincare myths to mislead you. Understanding the requirements of your skin regardless of the season as well as modifying what you do or use as the seasons change is a typical approach to skin health. One can look after their skin irrespective of what the weather is by discerning what is real from what is fiction.
Regardless of the season, sunblock is a must-have. It does not matter whether one is in a winter climate or summer heat, one should drink water. Considering these important aspects of skin care will help you to look good, and healthy regardless of the season!
