Makeup & Moisture: Why It’s Time to Change Up Your Skincare Routine This Season

As the weather begins to shift, signaling that the warm summer days will be turning to cooler fall evenings soon, it’s not just our wardrobes that need an update. Our skin, constantly adapting to the changing environment, requires a thoughtful adjustment to its care routine. This seasonal transition significantly impacts our skin’s health and the appearance and texture of our makeup.

Why this shift is crucial to our skin and how can you navigate it effectively?

Why Seasonal Changes Affect Your Skin

The climate undergoes noticeable shifts throughout the year, and these changes directly impact our skin:

Humidity Levels:

Summer brings high humidity, which can lead to increased oil production and potential breakouts. Conversely, fall and winter usher in drier air, stripping the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, flakiness, and increased sensitivity.

Temperature Fluctuations:

Going from warm outdoor temperatures to cooler indoor environments (often with central heating) can stress the skin, disrupting its moisture barrier.

Sun Exposure:

While summer typically involves more direct and intense sun exposure, the cooler months still necessitate sun protection. However, the type of protection your skin needs might differ.

Signs It’s Time to Update Your Skincare Routine

Paying attention to your skin's cues is essential for a healthy and radiant complexion. Here are some telltale signs it's time to tweak your skincare routine:

●     Increased Dryness or Tightness: Skin feeling parched or tight, especially after cleansing, is a clear indicator that your current products might not be providing enough hydration for the drier air.

●     Flakiness or Peeling: Noticeable dry patches or peeling suggest a lack of moisture and a potentially compromised skin barrier.

●     Increased Sensitivity or Redness: Cooler temperatures and drier air can exacerbate skin sensitivity, leading to redness, irritation, or even eczema flare-ups.

●     Changes in Oil Production: If your skin, typically oily in the summer, starts feeling balanced or even dry, your current routine might be too stripping. Conversely, if you're experiencing more breakouts in the cooler months due to dehydration causing increased oil production as a compensatory mechanism, it's time to re-evaluate.

Makeup Not Sitting Well: If your foundation looks cakey, clings to dry patches, or doesn't last as long, it could be a sign that your skincare isn't providing the right base for your makeup in the current season.

Can My Skincare Affect How My Makeup Looks?

Absolutely! Your skincare routine plays a crucial role in how your makeup applies, looks throughout the day, and ultimately, how long it lasts. Well-hydrated skin provides a smooth surface for foundation, preventing it from looking patchy or clinging to dry areas, resulting in a smoother application. The right skincare can also help regulate oil production, preventing your makeup from becoming overly shiny or breaking down quickly.

Properly hydrated and exfoliated skin will have minimized texture, allowing makeup to blend seamlessly for a more natural finish. Crucially, allowing skincare products to fully absorb before applying makeup significantly reduces the risk of pilling; those annoying little balls of product that can ruin your base. Ultimately, a good skincare base sets the stage, creating an optimal canvas that helps your makeup adhere better and last longer throughout the day.

Layering Skincare Under Makeup the Right Way

Creating a smooth canvas for your makeup starts with a well-layered skincare routine. Here’s the correct order and some considerations for seasonal changes:

1. Cleanser: Begin with a gentle cleanser appropriate for your current skin type. In drier months, consider a cream or oil-based cleanser instead of a harsh foaming one.

2. Toner (Optional): A hydrating toner can help rebalance the skin's pH and add a layer of moisture. Opt for alcohol-free formulas, especially in drier seasons.

3. Serum: Serums target specific skin concerns. In the transition to fall, hydrating serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid are excellent for combating dryness. Antioxidant serums are beneficial year-round for protecting against environmental stressors. Allow the serum to fully absorb before the next step.

4. Eye Cream: The delicate eye area requires extra care. Use a hydrating eye cream to prevent dryness and fine lines.

5. Moisturizer: This is a crucial step, especially as the weather cools. Switch to a richer, more emollient moisturizer in the fall and winter to provide adequate hydration and protect your skin barrier. Ensure it fully absorbs before applying makeup to prevent pilling.

6. Sunscreen (Daytime): Regardless of the season, sunscreen is non-negotiable. In the fall and winter, you might opt for a slightly lighter formula, but ensure it still provides broad-spectrum protection. Allow it to fully absorb before applying makeup.

Key Tip: Wait a few minutes between each skincare layer to allow for proper absorption. This helps prevent product pilling and ensures each product can work effectively.

Why Should I Change My Skincare Routine with the Seasons?

Your skin's needs are far from static, constantly adapting to the environment around it. Just as you instinctively swap out your breezy summer dresses for cozy sweaters as the weather cools, your skincare routine needs to evolve with the changing seasons to effectively address each climate's unique challenges. Failing to adapt can lead to a host of issues: in the fall and winter, using lightweight summer products in dry, cool air simply won't provide enough moisture, resulting in uncomfortable dehydration and dryness and potentially damaging your skin's protective barrier.

Conversely, rich winter creams can feel heavy and contribute to clogged pores and increased oiliness, and breakouts when the weather turns hot and humid in the summer. Moreover, consistently using the wrong products can compromise your skin's natural protective barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation, redness, and environmental damage. Ultimately, your skincare routine directly impacts how your makeup looks and wears, so an ill-suited regimen can lead to frustrating makeup application issues, where products don't sit right or last as long.

How to Keep Skin Glowing Through Every Season

Maintaining a healthy, radiant glow requires a consistent and adaptable approach throughout the year. It's crucial to prioritize hydration from within by drinking plenty of water daily, ensuring your skin stays plump and healthy from the inside out. Complement this by adhering to a consistent skincare routine every morning and evening, always tailoring your product choices to suit the current season's specific needs.

Remember that sun protection is non-negotiable year-round; continue to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, to shield your skin from damaging UV rays. Most importantly, listen to your skin, it will tell you what it needs. Adjust your routine based on how your skin feels and reacts to environmental changes.

Consider incorporating professional treatments like Chemical Peels or Microneedling into your regimen, as these can provide targeted care and help address specific seasonal skin concerns, boosting your overall glow.

Must-Have Products for the Season

As we transition into cooler weather, consider incorporating these key Vivier products into your routine:

Hydrating Cleanser: Creamy or oil-based cleansers that cleanse without stripping natural oils.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum: To draw and retain moisture in the skin.

Rich Moisturizer: Containing ingredients like ceramides, shea butter, or natural oils to nourish and protect the skin barrier.

Nourishing Lip Balm: To prevent chapped lips in the drier air.

Gentle Exfoliant: While important year-round, gentle exfoliation helps remove dry, flaky skin, allowing hydrating products to penetrate better. Opt for chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs used in moderation.

Hydrating Face Mask: To provide an extra boost of moisture and soothe dry skin.

What Ingredients Should I Look for in Skincare During the Transition from Summer to Fall?

As you adapt your skincare for the cooler months, keep an eye out for these hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients in your Vivier products:

●     Hyaluronic Acid: A powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin.

●     Ceramides: Lipids that help strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.

●     Glycerin: Another effective humectant that draws moisture to the skin.

●     Shea Butter and Other Natural Oils (e.g., Jojoba, Argan): Emollients that nourish and soften the skin.

●     Squalane: A lightweight emollient that helps to lock in moisture without feeling greasy.

●     Antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin C, Vitamin E): To protect the skin from environmental stressors, which can be more noticeable when the skin barrier is compromised by dryness.

●     Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Helps to improve skin barrier function, reduce redness, and enhance hydration.

Seasonal Skincare: Adjust Your Routine for Glowing, Healthy Skin

As the vibrant colors of autumn will soon appear, remember that truly radiant skin thrives on thoughtful adaptation, not just reaction. By understanding how humidity shifts, temperature swings, and sun exposure impact your complexion, you're empowered to make informed choices. Embrace the transition by integrating hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid and barrier-strengthening ceramides into your routine, creating a resilient canvas that not only feels comfortable but also ensures your makeup looks flawless all day long.

Don't let the changing seasons dictate your skin's health; instead, adjust your regimen, listen to your skin's unique needs, and confidently step into every season with a beautiful, glowing complexion that reflects your inner vitality.

Discover a new you. Prestige Beauty Bar Toronto believes you can always add more; CONTACT US for individualized, medical aesthetic treatments that will enhance your natural beauty, transform your skin, and leave you confident.