The weather changes throughout the year and so does our skin’s adaptability to each weather. With the changing season your skin behaves differently and may appear different. Your skin barrier gets affected by temperature, humidity, and wind resulting in variation.
With the changing weather your skin’s oil production, moisture levels, and exposure to environmental stressors could also change alongside. So using a single face care routine throughout the year becomes ineffective. Every season your skin changes and requires skincare according to that.
During hot and humid days of summer and monsoon your skin produces more oil and sweat which sits on the surface and gets mixed up with the other impurities and clogs the pores. This requires a deep cleansing face wash to clear the impurities and keep skin matte.
During the winters, the opposite happens as the weather is dry and chilly. It makes the skin dry and strips natural moisture from the skin. This requires a gentle cleansing agent which helps in maintaining skin hydration as well. Both weathers demand separate care so using the same cleanser would render ineffective. That is why you need to switch your face wash according to the demands of the weather.
Hot summers and effect on skin
Summers are usually hot and humid days. The high temperatures during summers can trigger the skin responses. It stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce oil in excess amounts. Sweat glands might also go overdrive and start secreting more sweat in order to cool down the body.
This sweat and oil sits up on the face and mixes with dirt, dead skin cells, sunscreen and other impurities leading to clogged pores. It often causes breakouts on the face. Also the sun exposure is increased during summers which causes sun tan. It could also make skin dehydrated.
Face wash requirements for summers
During summers you require a proper cleansing face cleanser for summers.
- Ingredients to look for:
- Salicylic acid, glycolic acid( exfoliating agents to clear oil and other buildup)
- Aloe vera, cucumber extract( cooling and skin calming agents)
- Neem, tea tree oil( antibacterial and anti-inflammatory)
- Formulations to consider:
- Foaming face wash
- Gel cleansers
- Non comedogenic cleanser with pore cleansing properties
Winters and skin dryness
Winters are cold and chilly so the temperature drops down. The air lacks moisture which affects the skin a lot. Due to dry weather the skin loses moisture and the moisture barriers get damaged. Also the cold weather outside and hot artificial indoors affect the skin moisture and strips natural oils from the skin. It leads to excessive skin dryness and the skin gets flaky and scaly. The transepidermal water loss increases a lot during moisture.
Face wash for winter dryness
- Ingredients to opt-
- Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin( support barrier repair and lock moisture in)
- Shea butter, hydrating oils( moisture and smoothen skin)
- Gentle cleansing agents
- Formulations to consider-
- Cream cleansers
- Oil based gentle cleansers
- Avoid skin stripping surfactants
- Moisturizing gentle surfactants
Monsoon humidity and skin
During monsoons the humidity levels rise and frequent rains make it more complex. It does not allow the skin to breathe. The air is packed with humidity which does not let sweat to evaporate and it sits on the skin. The skin feels moist and sticky.
This sweat gets mixed with dirt, oil and other impurities and clogs the pore. The moist skin allows invasion of bacterial and fungal infections on the skin. It could lead to breakouts on the face and make skin more troubled. Fungal acne is common during the monsoon.
Face cleanser requirements for monsoon
- Ingredients to look for-
- Neem and tea tree oil ( antifungal and antibacterial agents which also help in clearing sweat and buildup)
- Salicylic acid (for deep pore cleansing)
- Centella asiatica (sooth irritated skin)
- Formulations types-
- Foaming cleansers
- Opt for purifying face washes
- Non comedogenic lightweight face cleansers
Spring and autumn transitional changes
Spring and autumn are the transitional weathers before summers and winters. These weather conditions are most unpredictable and can be confusing for skin. It becomes irritating for the skin. During spring and autumn days the mornings and nights are cold and chilly followed by hot afternoons.
Sometimes there are dry winds which suddenly switch to humid rain. The oil production of the skin fluctuates a lot in order to adapt to the changes frequently causing sudden breakouts due to excess moisture and clogged pores and skin dryness sometimes at the same time.
Face wash for spring and autumn
- Ingredients to consider
- Panthenol (skin barrier repair
- Chamomile or calendula extracts (skin soothing agents)
- Gentle exfoliants like PHAs
- Formulations –
- Gel cleansers
- Avoid harsh surfactants
- Don’t use heavy oils and butters
Skincare tips for all seasons
- For summers
- Use cold water for cleansing
- Avoid using heavy creams and moisturizers
- Apply broad spectrum sunscreen during summers
- Drink plenty of water
- Cleanse twice a day
- For winters
- Use proper moisturizing creams
- Don’t use extreme hot water as it strips the skin layer
- Avoid scrubbing harshly
- For monsoon
- Use purifying face washes
- Don’t wash more than twice
- After getting wet in rain take a bath
- For spring and autumn
- Cleanse T-zone oil and dry cheeks effectively
- Opt skincare according to weather demands
- Don’t use harsh cleansers
Wrapping up
No single face wash can be opted for all seasons. Every season has a different requirement as they all change your skin’s features. The best face wash for each weather totally depends on the weather conditions and how harsh they affect your skin type. Be wise while selecting your face and align it to the temperature changes of the season. Try to maintain a balanced skin throughout.
