Summer and winter are like oil and water. They don’t mix. People don’t wear summer clothes during winter, or winter clothes in the summer. The same goes for skin-care. Extreme changes in the weather mean we have to change how we care for our skin when seasons change.
There are a number of differences in body skin care in summer and winter, and we’ll look at some of them in this article.
Moisturizing.
Winter.
A major difference in body skin care in summer and winter is the type of moisturizers we use. The skin dries up quickly during winter due to the harsh cold and dry weather.
Use a heavy, oil-based moisturizer – preferably an ointment or a cream – instead of a water-based one. This will lock moisture in the skin and prevent it from drying out. Apply the moisturizer immediately after a bath or shower to lock in as much moisture as possible.
Summer.
During summer, the air is more humid, so your skin is not in danger of drying to a crisp. In fact, it is more likely to absorb water from the air. Use a light, non-greasy moisturizer that will still keep your skin moisturized, but will not clog your pores, as this can lead to inflammation and acne.
Exfoliating.
Winter.
Exfoliation is another difference in body skin care in summer and winter. It is important as it sloughs away dead skin cells that can accumulate and lead to clogged up pores and rough, patchy skin. However, since the skin is constantly dry due to the harsh weather, you don’t need to exfoliate as often as you do in summer. Also, use a mild exfoliator.
Summer.
We go outdoors more often during summer, so we accumulate more dirt, sweat and dead cells on our skin. Exfoliation is an important part of body skin care during summer. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub like alpha-hydroxy acid pads, which remove built up oils and unblocks pores, which could lead to acne. Remember to exfoliate the whole body, not just the face.
Sunscreen.
Winter.
You may not think so but sunscreen is an important aspect of body skin care during winter. Sunlight may be weak, but it can reflect off of snow onto your skin.
Even on dark winter days, harmful UV rays from the sun can still pierce through the clouds and harm your skin. Use a moisturizing sunscreen with protection of at least 15 SPF, and don’t miss any exposed spots. Apply it on your hands, the back of the neck, behind the ears and even on the lips.
Summer.
People spend a lot of time outdoors cooling off during summer. Always apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 fifteen to thirty minutes before leaving the house, and carry it with you to keep reapplying every few hours. Apply enough of sunscreen that will take at least one minute to completely disappear after rubbing it in.
If you’ll be swimming or sweating a lot, reapply it every two hours to replace sunscreen lost in water or through sweat. If possible, use a water-resistant sunscreen that won’t wash off in the water or when you sweat. In addition, use a broad spectrum sunscreen.
That’s a sunscreen that contains agents which block not only UVB light, which is what causes sunburn and cancer, but UVA light as well, which causes premature aging.
These agents include:
- Benzophenones;
- Cinnamates;
- Sulisobenzone;
- Salicylates;
- Titanium oxide;
- Zinc oxide;
- Avobenzone.
Cleansing.
Winter.
Daily cleansing is vital to avoid build-up of dirt and dead cells, which can cause infections and acne. Since the skin dries and cracks more in winter due to the cold and dry air, use a cleanser that doesn’t contain harsh ingredients like alcohol and fragrances.
These remove natural oils from the skin and leave it dry and exposed. Use a cream-based cleanser that will strip off dirt and make-up, but still keep the moisture in.
Summer.
Summer is hotter and more humid than winter, so the type of cleanser you’ll use is a major difference in body skin care in summer and winter. Swap out the creamy and heavy cleansers left over from winter for gentle, foaming cleansers. If you have dry or combination skin, there are non-foaming cleansers that can work for you.
Hydration.
Winter.
Winter is often cold and wet or snowy, so you may think that you don’t need to keep hydrated during winter, but you actually do. The air is already dry, and not drinking water will deprive the skin of even more moisture.
Keep a bottle of warm water handy that you can keep sipping throughout the day. You can also opt for warming teas like ginger-and-lemon tea to keep you both warm and hydrated.
Summer.
The air is usually humid during summer, but the skin can lose a lot of water through sweating. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water every day to replace water lost due to constantly being out in the sun. In case you do get sunburn, drinking water will help rehydrate the skin.
Take Care of Your Lips.
Winter.
The cold and dry air of winter can leave your lips dry and chapped. Simply licking your lips will only make it worse. Apply a moisturizing lip balm to heal chapped lips and prevent your lips from cracking. Lips can also get sunburn, which you can prevent by using a lip balm that contains sunscreen. Remember to apply lip balm before going to bed as well.
Summer.
We tend to forget our lips when prepping to out in the summer. Don’t just slap sunscreen onto your skin and leave it at that. Apply a moisturizing lip balm with sunscreen to protect the lips as well.
Final Words.
There are many differences in body skin care in summer and winter, but one thing is clear. Keeping the skin hydrated and protecting it from sunburn is vital during both summer and winter. The only difference is in the type of products to use. Follow the tips discussed in this article to make sure you practice a complete skin care routine throughout the year.
Also read the article: Body Skin Care after Sun
