Does your skin feel tight and dry one month, then oily and prone to breakouts the next? This is because your skin is a dynamic organ that reacts to its environment, and the shift from one season to another brings changes in temperature, humidity, and sun exposure that can throw it off balance. Everyone’s skin is different, so depending on your skin type and the climate you live in, you may need to adjust your skincare routine with each season to maintain a healthy, radiant complexion. Here are tips to keep your skin glowing all year long.

Spring Skincare

How Spring Can Affect Your Skin

• Increased Oil Production⎯Warmer temperatures can cause your skin to produce more oil, and that extra buildup can lead to clogged pores.
• Environmental Allergens⎯With pollen and other allergens in the air, this can inflame sensitive skin and cause irritation, redness, and inflammation.
• Sun Exposure⎯As you spend more time outdoors, your skin is exposed to more UV rays, increasing the risk of sun damage.

Spring Skincare Tips

• Lighten Up Your Moisturizer⎯Swap your heavy winter cream for a lightweight moisturizer that will provide the moisture your skin needs, without feeling greasy. This will also keep your skin hydrated without clogging pores. We recommend: ALASTIN Ultra Light Moisturizer and Face Reality Clearderma Moisturizer.
• Exfoliation⎯Gently exfoliate two to three times a week to shed off dead skin cells. This promotes cell turnover (producing new skin cells to replace the old ones), to reveal a brighter complexion. Consider a chemical exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) for a smooth, even glow.
• Add In Antioxidants⎯Prepare your skin for increased sun exposure by adding an antioxidant serum. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals from UV rays and pollution, preventing premature aging and boosting your sunscreen’s effectiveness. We recommend: Face Reality Antioxidant Peptide Face Serum, ALASTIN C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum, iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+, and Hydrinity HYDRI-C Daily Vitamin C Moisturizer.
• Sunscreen⎯Sunscreen is something you should wear, no matter what season it is. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every single day, even when it's cloudy. A lightweight, non-comedogenic sunscreen is perfect for spring. Shop recommended sunscreens.

Summer Skincare

How Summer Can Affect Your Skin

• Sun Damage⎯Sun damage is one of the toughest things on your skin. UV exposure can cause sunburns, sun spots, and accelerate the aging process.
• Excess Sweat & Oil⎯Heat and humidity can send oil production into overdrive, leading to clogged pores, breakouts, and that constant "shiny" look.
• Dehydration⎯Sweating more can actually leave you dehydrated, which takes a toll on your skin. On top of that, sun exposure can weaken your skin’s moisture barrier.

Summer Skincare Tips

• Sunscreen⎯Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. Shop all sunscreens.
• Use A Foaming Or Gel Cleanser⎯Use a lighter cleanser to remove excess oil, sweat, and sunscreen without stripping the skin. A foaming or gel cleanser is ideal during the summer. Shop IMAGE Skincare and ALASTIN Skincare foaming and gel cleansers.
• Hydrate With Lightweight Serums⎯Heavy creams will be too much for your skin in the summer heat. Instead, switch to hydrating serums so your skin will get the moisture it needs, just with a lighter product. We recommend Epicutis Lipid Serum.
• Use A Clay Mask⎯Incorporate a clay mask into your routine once a week to absorb excess oil and cleanse pores, helping to prevent summer breakouts. Face Reality soothing clay masks are a great option for summer.

Fall Skincare

How Fall Can Affect Your Skin

• Decreased Humidity⎯In the fall, the air becomes drier which can compromise your skin's protective barrier and lead to dryness and flakiness.
• Temperature Fluctuations⎯Going from being outside in the sun, to indoor heating can be stressful for your skin, causing sensitivity and redness.

Fall Skincare Tips

• Switch To A Cream Cleanser⎯As the air gets cooler and drier in fall, your skin can start to feel tight and dry. Switching to a cream cleanser helps keep your skin hydrated while still removing dirt and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural oils. Shop Face Reality Skincare’s creamy cleanser.
• Use A Thicker Moisturizer⎯During fall, your skin needs more help staying soft and hydrated. Transition back to a thicker moisturizer, especially for your nighttime skincare routine. Look for ingredients like moisturizers with ceramides, which help repair the skin barrier. Recommended moisturizers: Skinbetter Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment and Skinbetter Trio Luxe Moisture Treatment
• Target Hyperpigmentation⎯Fall is a good time to address hyperpigmentation or skin discoloration from the summer. Use products with ingredients like retinol and niacinamide to help even out your skin tone and boost collagen production. Shop recommended serums and skin treatments.
• Don’t Forget Your Lips & Hands⎯You lips and hands are often the first to show signs of dryness. Start using a nourishing lip balm and a hand cream regularly to prevent chapping and cracking. Shop recommended lip balms and hand creams.

Winter Skincare

How Winter Can Affect Your Skin

• Dryness⎯The lack of humidity in the air, both indoors and out pulls moisture from your skin, leaving it flaky, itchy, and more prone to a weakened skin barrier.
• Irritation & Redness⎯Cold wind can cause windburn and chapping, while the constant shift between cold and heated environments can lead to sensitivity and redness.
• Dull Complexion⎯Slower cell turnover in the winter months can result in a build-up of dead skin cells, making your complexion look dull and less bright.

Winter Skincare Tips

• Use Thick Moisturizer⎯Winter is when you need to switch to a thick, nourishing cream to keep your skin soft and protected. It is most effective when applied to damp skin to lock in hydration. We recommend Epicutis Hyvia® Crème or Face Reality Skincare Cran-Peptide Cream.
• Don’t Over Exfoliate⎯Over exfoliating can further damage an already fragile winter skin barrier, so reduce your use of face and body scrubs to once a week. Shop recommended face and body scrubs.
• Add A Hydrating Serum: Add a hydrating serum to your winter skincare routine in the winter to give your skin an extra boost of moisture and keep it soft all season long. Apply a hydrating serum before your moisturizer to help lock in moisture. Shop recommended hydrating serums.
• Sunscreen⎯Even in winter, wearing sunscreen should always be part of your skincare routine because you can still be exposed to UV rays.

Personalized Skincare Treatment in Arlington, VA

The most important takeaway is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare. NM Aesthetics offers personalized skincare treatments so you’ll know which products are best for your skin type, to stay protected for every season. Request an appointment by filling out our online form, or calling us at (571) 310-3223.