Skin care Through The Seasons

According to many dermatologists, the way in which you treat your skin through each season will determine its long term health. Skin care regimes throughout the year very much depend on the type of climate in which you live. Those living in Northern climes may have to contend with icy cold weather during the winter months and those in warmer regions of the world may suffer more during the sweltering days of summer. Humidity in different regions can vary greatly and both dry and damp climates can take their toll on your skin.

Following is a general guide on skin care through each season, which of course can be adapted depending on the area of the world in which you live:

Spring

Spring is the time when many of us begin shedding layers of clothing, rather like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. You may also notice that it is not only clothes that you are peeling off, but skin too, due to a reduction in the skin's natural shedding process during the colder winter months.

In the spring, your skin may be dry and sensitive from the winter's harsh weather, so one of the best ways to prepare it for moisturizing is by using a gentle but effective exfoliator.
It is also important to selecting rich moisturizing products that don't irritate the skin.

Cleansing twice daily with a gentle cleanser should be an integral part of everyone's beauty regime, since clean skin is necessary in order for moisturizer to be effectively absorbed and to prevent a build-up of blocked pores, thereby creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

What you put into your body is as important as what you put on your skin. Try reducing your fat, sugar, salt and caffieine intake and eat adequate quantities of protein-rich foods help to maintain beautiful skin and help to prevent premature aging,. Vitamin supplements can be beneficial. Vitamin A, Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are particulalry beneficial for the skin.

Summer

With the arrival of summer, many people look forward to spending time outside in the sun. It cannot be stressed highly enough that sun protection is a major priority. People who are exposed to the sun for the first time in months will be far more vulnerable to skin damage. Whether you're engaging in physical pursuits, doing a spot of gardening or just relaxing, it is crucial to use a sun protection cream of at least SPF 15 and even higher if you have fair or sensitive skin. Protective sun creams should be applied to dry skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and should be reapplied after swimming or perspiring.

Areas that have been protected all year long are now seeing the sun for the first time in months. They will therefore be more vulnerable to sun damage. It is important not to forget your scalp, which is just as prone to burning in parted areas as the rest of your body. If you do not wish to rub sunscreen into your head, then wear a hat.

In addition to ultra violet rays, chlorine and salt from swimming pools and the sea also damage your skin, hair and nails. As with all other seasons, it is important to keep your skin moisturized. Depending on your skin type, you may need to use a lighter moisturizer than you would in winter and there are many brands that include sun protection too. If you have oily skin, you may find that it becomes oilier during the summer and need to adapt the products that you use accordingly.

Outbreaks of acne can also occur across the back and shoulders, which is why it is imperative to shower immediately after exercise or a period of time in a hot, humid environment. An anti-bacterial cleanser can be used in the shower to help fight any inflammation.

Other factors that can impact the condition of our skin are heat, humidity and perspiration. These can result in blocked pores and bumpy skin, which can occur in all skin types, not just oily. Using a product containing AHAs together with a once-weekly mild exfoliating product can help to reduce clogging and inflammation.

Air conditioning has a drying effect on the skin, so it is a good idea to use humidifiers in buildings that are air conditioned. A simple way of introducing more moisture to air conditioned environments is by adding plants or even a bowl of water to the room.

Allergies can occur all year round, but are particularly prevalent during the summer months, with hay fever being the most common. Allergies can play havoc with the skin, causing irritation and inflammation, but these can be treated with many over the counter oral remedies, natural remedies and antihistamine creams.

Autumn/Fall

By the time autumn arrives, the skin can be drained of nutrients as a result of sun, sea, heat and humidity, even if you have done your best to protect your skin. This is the time when the skin may begin to develop dry patches and pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema may really flare up.

If you have been using a lighter moisturizer during the summer months, now is the time to substitute this for a richer cream to help create a protective barrier and prevent further moisture loss. This will also help to prepare the skin for the winter ahead. Those with oily or acne prone skin should continue to use products that are recommended for their skin type and concentrate on using water-based creams that introduce moisture to the skin rather than oil, which may just exacerbate any existing oiliness.

If you have been using Vitamin A-based treatments, such as Retin-A, you should reduce the frequency with which you use these, since these products can dry the skin.

Remember that the harmful effects of the sun's rays don't disappear when it's cloudy or cold, so you should continue using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.

If you developed a sun tan during the summer, it is particularly important to exfoliate to remove the dead skin cells and create a surface conducive to absorbing moisturizing creams.

Winter

If you looked after your skin during the previous seasons, then you should suffer less problems during the winter months. In winter, the cold weather causes a decrease in circulation and perspiration. As a result, the natural shedding process slows down, which can result in a built up of dead skin cells and rough, dry skin. Additonal factors such as central heating and coal fires can also dry the skin, causing roughness, irritation and cracking.

Using a rich moisturizing cream at all times, not forgetting protection for your lips, is crucial to prevent excessive moisture loss and maintain your skin's subtleness.

Avoid taking long, hot showers, which strip the skin of its natural oils. The alternative is to take a warm, short shower and to slather your skin with moisturizer whilst it is still damp.

Even though the hot sun may not be beating down, your skin is still vulnerable to damage from ultraviolet rays. Certainly, if you engage in winter sports such as skiing, the UV radiation is more intense in the mountains than at sea level and you are actually exposed to more radiation when skiing than you are when you spend a day at the beach. It is therefore important to wear a sunscreen all year round and to take special care to protect your skin if you are taking a trip to a mountainous region.

As recommended during the summer in air conditioned environments, introducing a humidifier into your home during the winter months will help to counteract any dryness caused by heating systems.

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