Best Skin Treatments by Season

Let's face it, we all want beautiful skin year-round! However, just like our daily skin care routine, it's important to switch up our skin "treatment" choices based on the time of year, climate and individual lifestyle.

Laser skin resurfacing and medium-intense chemical peels are treatments that typically require more downtime and recovery can take anywhere from 7-14 days.  During this time, it is essential to avoid any direct sun exposure so you do not risk any negative side effects such as hyper-pigmentation, hypo-pigmentation or healing complications. This is why these treatments are generally better suited for Fall, Winter or early Spring.

Microneedling is a great choice for overall skin rejuvenation all year round.  It's effects are comparable to laser and chemical peels but with a fraction of the downtime.  You can enjoy a glowing complexion in just 24- 72 hours.  Microneedling does not make your skin more photosensitive, however it's important to be diligent with your sunscreen application in order to protect and maintain your beautiful skin.

Other non-invasive skin treatments that are great for summer (and all year long) are microdermabrasion and dermaplaning.  These medical -grade exfoliation treatments (with zero to minimal downtime) remove dead skin cells from the surface and leave your skin looking refreshed, glowing and smooth. Adding a Vitamin C serum to your daily morning routine can also create a lightening and brightening effect on the skin and help protect it from environmental toxins.

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During the winter months, we’re facing colder temperatures, harsh winds, and dry air.  These conditions can be damaging and dehydrating to the skin.  But don’t worry….. switching out your current skincare routine for a winter one is simple.  

Follow these tips on putting together a great winter skincare routine:

Tip #1 – Switch to a cream- based or oil- based cleanser.

Switching your foaming or gel cleanser to a cream or oil-based cleanser can leave the skin feeling more hydrated.  Your skin will already be dry, so you want to avoid stripping it of any more moisture.  Soap-free, non-foaming cleansers have a neutral pH so they don’t disrupt the acidic pH of your skin and they are much less drying.

Tip #2 – Incorporate a facial toner into your routine.

Use of a facial toner helps to balance your skin’s pH level and strengthen it’s barrier.  And, applying a facial toner before your moisturizer can also improve absorption.

Tip #3 – Step up your moisturizer!  

Switch your light moisturizer to a richer, more emollient one.  Layering is also great when it comes to moisturizing.  After cleansing and toning, try layering a nourishing facial serum or face oil underneath your moisturizer. 

Tip #4 – Exfoliate dead skin cells.

Winter conditions can leave the skin looking dull.  It is important to exfoliate dry skin (once or twice a week) with light acids or enzymes.  These are chemical exfoliants versus the physical exfoliants (scrubs), which can be a bit harsh in the winter.  Exfoliating helps to remove the top layer of dead skin, remove impurities, decongest the skin and reveal healthier looking skin!  

Tip #5 – Daily use of a good broad-spectrum SPF.

Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer.  When outdoors for prolonged periods of time, remember to reapply at least every 2 hours.  

Tip #6 – Protect your lips with a good lip balm.

Cold temperatures, freezing winds, and dry air can take a major toll on your lips so make sure to keep them protected with a super-hydrating, nourishing lip balm to prevent them from drying out and getting chapped.

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Choose a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. All sunscreen products protect against UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. But UVA rays also contribute to skin cancer and premature aging. Only products that pass a test can be labeled “broad spectrum.” Products that aren’t broad spectrum must carry a warning that they only protect against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging.

Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%; SPF 50 sunscreens filter about 98%, and SPF 100 filter about 99%. No sunscreen protects you completely. The FDA requires any sunscreen with an SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging.

“Water resistant” does not mean “No sunscreens are waterproof or “sweatproof,” and manufacturers are not allowed to claim that they are. If a product’s front label makes claims of being water-resistant, it must specify whether it lasts for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. For best results, reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry, so you will need to put more on.

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