A lot of people already know that hormones, and what you use topically on your skin, have a big impact on how it behaves. Did you also know that each seasonal change plays a big role too? We need to keep up with these changes to keep our skin healthy and glowing.
As the winter sets in for the Southern Hemisphere, the air becomes dry. For skin that is oily, this season may be music to your ears, but for those of us on the dry/dehydrated spectrum we can feel sapped of moisture. When the temperature drops, the air is dry, cold and humidity becomes very low. In addition there is an attack on our skin when indoors from dry, heated air trying to keep us warm.
This is where we need to consider exfoliation in our routines. Although we should not disregard this step all together, we should be very aware not to over exfoliate. My biggest tip for correct care this season is to massage and manipulate, using oils and incorporating KORA Organic’s Rose Quartz Facial Sculptor. I suggest gliding it over your skin morning and night, to stimulate your skin cells naturally. Personally, I use it on my face and my body. For combination/oily complexions this is the time for light weight layering. I suggest the use of serums to prepare your skin to avoid congestion during the summer months, as well as lightweight oils to massage into your skin.
During these times we may also start reaching for comfort foods, such as sugars, white foods, dairy, fried and fatty foods. Be aware that what you are feeding your gut will eventually show on your physical skin and body… If carbohydrates make you feel sluggish then be assured your skin will become sluggish as a result. Sugar is a comfort food for many and found in lots of foods. It is also one of the main substances slowly eating away at your skin’s structure, making it a big contributor to premature ageing. Try to reach for more colorful root vegetables and fuel yourself with good nutrients during the winter months.
In the Northern Hemisphere, your days are getting longer and lighter. Moving from indoor central heating to air conditioned spaces and then into the hot humid sun, can result in confusion for your skin and cause sensitivity. For oily skins, hot and humid is a perfect recipe for congestion and breakouts if excess oil is not balanced. Although you may feel you want to avoid all products with moisture, you still need a lightweight moisturiser to protect your skin from the changes in your environment. Most importantly, all skin types need a barrier of zinc oxide, from an SPF, to protect from dangerous solar rays. SPF should be applied under make-up and reapplied every two hours if you are out in the sun.
During the summer, your skin will be able to retain more of its natural oils, which is why why dry and dehydrated skin flourishes in humid weather. So, it’s a good idea to up your water intake to the recommended 8-12 glasses a day. Humidity keeps skin smooth and deters dryness and flaking.
Eating during this season gets easier as you will be naturally drawn to lighter, fresher meals: salads and juicy, colorful fruits. The digestive enzymes in these foods can help the body break down nutrients and minimize inflammation for your insides, which is essential for cleaner, clearer skin.
Recommended skincare steps for a changing season:
- Cleanse AM/PM
- Toner AM/PM
- Eye oil/serum AM/PM
- Serums AM/PM
- Moisturizer AM/PM
- Exfoliator 1-2 times weekly depending on the season
- Mask 2 times a week, leaving on for 10 minutes.
Listen to the nature of the seasons to detect all these shifts, being prepared and aware of these seasonal skin connections allows us to use the correct care for our skin care needs.
Feed your skin with love and goodness.
Kylie xx
Kylie has been in the Beauty Industry for over 21 years. Her career has taken her all over the world, on land and at sea. Still to this day beauty therapy is her passion, mixing old ancient remedies with new evolved techniques and technology. Kylie is always learning. Kylie is known for her healing hands. She thrives on working the Meraki way, using soul, creativity, passion and love in each and every treatment leaving a part of herself to every client. Working on intuition, she works from various spaces on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and also in the comfort of your own home. @kylie_wells_beauty
