Journal / Skincare foundations
Should your skincare routine change with the seasons?
A little. The weather changes what your skin has to cope with, and a routine that felt right in July can feel thin in January. The adjustments are usually small.
The short answer
Yes, but adjust the routine instead of replacing it. In cold, dry months most people need a richer moisturiser and less exfoliation. In heat and humidity, lighter textures and more frequent sunscreen reapplication make sense. Cleansing gently and wearing sunscreen stay constant all year.
01 / The principle
Adjust, do not replace.
A dermatologist quoted by the American Academy of Dermatology puts it simply: you do not need to change every product you use, but you should switch to heavier creams when it is cold.[1] The AAD adds that what works well in summer might not work as well when humidity drops.[1]
So the structure of a simple skincare routine stays as it is. What moves is the texture of one or two products and how often you use certain others.
Another AAD source makes the same point from the other side: it is good to have a routine, and it is also important to switch it up in some instances, such as for a different season, while being careful about the new products you introduce.[2]
02 / Cold and dry months
What to change when it is cold.
Cold air holds less moisture, and heating dries indoor air further. The AAD explains that skin has a harder time retaining moisture in these conditions, leading to dry, itchy skin, and that dry, cold air can make fine lines more noticeable.[1]
- Moisturiser
- Move to a heavier cream. Ointments and creams are more effective and less irritating than lotions.[1] Apply straight after washing to trap moisture.
- Exfoliation
- Cut back. The AAD’s dermatologist recommends reducing products with alpha or beta hydroxy acids in winter, because they can irritate even when used with moisturising creams.[1]
- Water temperature
- Use warm water instead of hot for baths and showers.[1] The AAD suggests keeping them to five to ten minutes.[3]
- Products
- Choose gentle, fragrance-free products. Antibacterial, deodorant and scented soaps can be too harsh for dry skin.[1]
- Indoor air
- A cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom can help prevent dryness as well as treat it.[1]
There is more in cold weather and indoor heating: caring for dry skin and dry or dehydrated skin.
03 / Heat and humidity
What to change when it is warm.
In warm, humid months the adjustments run the other way, and they are mostly about comfort.
- Moisturiser
- A lighter texture may feel better. A gel is often water-based and feels lighter on the skin than a lotion; a cream is thicker.[2] Keep moisturising: a lighter product is not the same as none. See hot and humid weather: adapting product textures.
- Cleansing
- Wash after heavy sweating. The AAD notes that perspiration irritates the skin and advises washing as soon as possible afterwards.[5]
- Sunscreen
- More time outdoors means more reapplication: every two hours, and straight after swimming or sweating.[4]
- Water
- Chlorine and salt water raise their own questions. See swimming and skincare.
Resist the urge to strip oily summer skin. Washing more than twice a day, apart from after exercise, tends to cause more problems than it solves; see why skin feels tight after cleansing.
04 / All year
What stays the same.
Three things do not vary with the calendar.
- Gentle cleansing. The method that suits your skin in spring suits it in autumn.
- Moisturising. The texture changes; the step remains.
- Sun protection. The AAD states that skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays every time you go outside, including on cloudy days and in winter.[4] It recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher along with shade and protective clothing.[3]
The winter half of that is the part most often dropped. See does cloudy weather change your sun protection needs and choosing a sunscreen you will actually use.
05 / When to switch
Let your skin, not the date, decide.
There is no day on which to change products. Seasons arrive gradually and vary by place, and your skin is a better guide than the calendar.
- Time to go richer
- Your face feels tight by midday, your usual moisturiser seems to disappear, or you notice flaking around the nose and mouth.
- Time to go lighter
- Your moisturiser sits on the surface, you feel greasy by afternoon, or sunscreen feels heavy over it.
- Time to ease off actives
- Products that were comfortable start to sting. See sensitive skin or a routine that has become too much.
Make one change and give it a week or two before making another. When you swap a product, introduce the new one on its own. A lighter and a richer moisturiser are usually all the seasonal variation a routine needs.
06 / Sudden changes
Travel and abrupt shifts.
A flight can take you from one climate to another in an afternoon, and aircraft cabins are dry. The same principles apply in miniature: keep the routine short, moisturise more often and do not start new products while away. See travel skincare: packing a routine you can maintain and flying and skin dryness.
When a seasonal change needs a doctor
The AAD advises seeing a dermatologist if home measures do not relieve dry skin, and not waiting until skin is cracked or bleeding.[1]
Dry skin that persists whatever the season may be linked to an underlying condition.[3]
For product questions, a Skin Edit reviews what you use; a consultation covers whether professional care has a place in the plan.
A few common questions
Frequently asked questions.
Should I change my skincare routine in winter?
Usually in small ways. The AAD’s advice is to switch to heavier creams when it is cold and to cut back on exfoliating acids, without changing every product.[1]
Do I need sunscreen in winter?
Yes. Skin is exposed to UV rays whenever you are outside, including on cloudy days and in winter.[4]
Should I use a different moisturiser in summer?
If your usual one feels heavy, a lighter texture such as a gel or lotion may be more comfortable.[2] Keep moisturising in some form.
Why is my skin drier in winter?
Cold air and indoor heating reduce humidity, and skin has a harder time holding on to moisture.[1]
Should I exfoliate less in cold weather?
A dermatologist quoted by the AAD recommends cutting back on alpha and beta hydroxy acid products in winter, when they can irritate the skin.[1]
How do I know when to switch products?
Go by how your skin feels. Tightness and flaking suggest a richer moisturiser; heaviness and shine suggest a lighter one. Change one thing at a time.
Sources & scope
This Journal article offers general skincare education and a guide to adjusting a routine through the year. It does not provide a diagnosis, prescribe treatment or replace individual medical advice. The points above draw on the following published resources.
- Cold weather and your skin (American Academy of Dermatology) — how cold weather affects skin and what to change.
- How to pick the right moisturizer for your skin (American Academy of Dermatology) — choosing a moisturiser by texture and season.
- Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin (American Academy of Dermatology) — humidifiers, bathing habits and protecting dry skin.
- How to apply sunscreen (American Academy of Dermatology) — sun protection in every season.
- Face washing 101 (American Academy of Dermatology) — washing after sweating.
Editorial: Merve Akkaya Journal. Learn more about Merve Akkaya.
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The same routine, tuned to the weather.
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