Seasonal Skincare and Wellness Year-Round

If you’ve ever noticed your skin feeling drier in winter or shinier in summer, you’re not imagining things. Seasonal changes affect not just the world around us but also our skin, our immune systems and even our mental health. 

Seasonal skincare is a thing, and once you understand a few nuances, it’s pretty easy to adapt your skin and wellness rituals to suit the season.

Each season brings its own set of environmental factors—from harsh winds to intense UV rays—that can throw your skin and body out of balance. 

For instance, winter’s cool air and indoor heating can strip your skin of moisture, while summer’s heat and humidity can trigger excess oil production. Add in the stress of seasonal transitions, and it’s no wonder our skin sometimes feels out of sync.

But here’s the good news: with a little seasonal know-how, you can stay ahead of the game. Adjusting your skincare and wellness habits to suit the season isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling good, too.

Your skin is incredibly adaptive, but it’s not immune to the challenges that come with changing weather. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

• Winter: Cold, dry air and indoor heating can dehydrate your skin, leaving it dull and flaky. You might also notice increased redness or sensitivity.

• Spring: Allergy season can bring redness, puffiness and irritation. This is also a time when your skin may feel more sensitive.

• Summer: High temperatures and UV exposure can lead to oiliness, breakouts and pigmentation. Dehydration is also common.

• Autumn: As the weather cools, your skin might start feeling dry or tight, especially if you’re not replenishing its moisture barrier.

The answer lies in how your skin’s barrier responds to environmental shifts. Seasonal changes can disrupt your skin’s natural balance, making it more vulnerable to dryness, breakouts or irritation.

Studies have shown that season changes directly influence the skin barrier function of health and sensitive skin (the latter more predominantly, of course). One study found significant changes in skin pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and cutaneous blood flow (CBF) between winter and summer.

Another study examining skin changes in acne and non-acne facial groups saw marked differences related to season changes in both test groups: all participants recorded higher sebum production levels in autumn and lower levels in winter, and all had an increase in skin moisture levels during summer compared to winter. 

This study also recorded lower lipid production and reduced barrier function in participants during winter, suggesting that bacteria and consequent sickness is more likely to affect us in colder months.

Now for the fun part: seasonal skincare! Adapting your skincare routine to the season is easier than you might think. Here are some tips to keep your skin happy and healthy, no matter the weather:

• Switch to a richer moisturiser to combat dryness. 

• Incorporate ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane to lock in hydration.

• Don’t forget SPF—UV rays don’t take a winter holiday.

[Related: The Doctor-Approved Winter Skincare Guide]

• Focus on soothing and calming ingredients, like aloe vera and niacinamide, to counteract allergy-related redness.

• Exfoliate gently to refresh your skin after winter.

• Keep hydration light but consistent.

[Related: Skincare in Spring: Dr Tanya's Top 5 Radiance Boosters for Glowing Skin]

• Prioritise lightweight, non-comedogenic products to prevent clogged pores.

• Use a broad-spectrum SPF 50 daily and reapply throughout the day.

• Consider incorporating antioxidants like vitamin C to protect against UV-induced free radicals.

[Related: Summer Skincare and UV Protection: The Ultimate Guide]

• Start incorporating richer moisturisers to prep your skin for colder months.

• Use gentle exfoliants to slough off summer’s buildup.

• Introduce repairing ingredients like ceramides to strengthen your skin’s barrier.

Should you change your skincare seasonally? Absolutely! These tweaks don’t have to be drastic, but they can make all the difference in how your skin looks and feels.

Just like your skin (and, in fact, directly related as the skin is an active immune organ), your immune system feels the impact of seasonal changes. 

Winter, for example, is notorious for its immune challenges, while summer’s heat can deplete your energy levels (if you’ve had a summer cold before, you know it’s not fun). Here’s what you need to know about immune health through the seasons:

• Winter: Cooler temperatures and less sunlight can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and flu.This is why it's so important to prioritise your immune health during winter.

• Spring: This season’s allergies can trigger inflammation, which affects both your immune system and your skin.

• Summer: While your immune system might feel stronger in summer, dehydration and UV exposure can stress your body.

• Autumn: As your body transitions to cooler weather, it’s important to boost your immunity with nourishing foods and self-care practices.

When is the immune system most active? It’s generally stronger during periods of moderate temperatures (like spring and autumn) and reduced stress. By supporting your body with seasonal wellness practices, you can get on top of your health during these periods and help it thrive year-round.

Let’s not forget the impact of the seasons on our mental health. Many of us feel down during winter or overly stimulated during the busy summer holiday season. 

You’ve likely heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to seasonal changes that typically begins in late autumn or early winter and subsides during spring or summer. 

SAD is more than just the “winter blues”—it can significantly affect mood, energy levels and overall wellness. Symptoms include feelings of sadness, low energy, sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating. 

Mood disorders like bipolar, anxiety and chronic depression have also been shown to worsen during winter months and improve during summer. Even if you don’t experience SAD or mood disorders, minor mood shifts during seasonal transitions can still take a toll on your well being.

Predictably, mental health often takes a positive turn during summer, largely thanks to increased sunlight and longer days. Sunlight boosts serotonin levels, the feel-good hormone, which can enhance mood and energy. 

Many people naturally find themselves more active and social in the warmer months, which further boosts those happy feelings. But it can also be a bit of a catch-22 here in Australia; summer is of course synonymous with the festive season, which (magical as it is) can come with its own stress-inducing hurdles—Christmas, family pressures, school holidays, and general end-of-year responsibilities, to name a few! It's essential to aim for balance and pace yourself during the summer holidays to avoid excess stress and burnout.

Embracing the joys of each season while practicing mindful self-care can help maintain mental harmony year-round. Prioritise practices that nurture both your mind and body, like switching up workout routines in winter or practicing mindfulness in summer.

It’s no secret that sunlight has a profound effect on our mood, often making us feel happier and more energised. This is largely due to its role in boosting serotonin levels—a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, energy and sleep. But did you know that your skin plays an active role in this process?

Research suggests a direct relationship between sunlight exposure and serotonin production. Sunlight stimulates the synthesis of serotonin in the body, with levels naturally peaking during sunnier months. This could explain why we’re so drawn towards beach holidays and sunbathing during summertime (though with plenty of sunscreen on, of course).

One study demonstrated the skin’s role in serotonin production—participants exposed to light showed increased serum serotonin levels compared to a control group. This suggests that sunlight stimulates serotonin production directly through the skin, highlighting a potential “cutaneous pathway” for serotonin regulation.

Skincare is just one piece of the puzzle. Supporting your body and mind through seasonal changes is just as important. Here’s how to stay well all year:

• Incorporate warming foods and spices like ginger and turmeric to support immunity.

• Hydrate your skin from the inside out with plenty of water and herbal teas.

• Embrace cosy self-care rituals like face masks and baths.

• Focus on detoxifying your body with fresh, seasonal greens.

• Use this time to refresh your wellness routines, like introducing regular exercise.

• Stay hydrated with water-rich foods like cucumber and watermelon.

• Avoid over-exfoliating, which can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

• Try cooling treatments, like a chilled jade roller, to soothe summer puffiness (plus, they just feel divine!).

• Incorporate grounding practices like yoga or meditation to prepare for winter.

• Transition to heartier, nourishing meals to support your body.

• Consider investing in our golden hair combo – the Holy Basil Hair Serum + NuBrush – to combat dry air and infuse your locks and scalp with extra moisture.

[Related: Seasonal Hair Care: Preventing Damage to Hair Through Every Season]

Adjusting your skincare and wellness habits to the seasons doesn’t have to be complicated. By listening to your body and giving it what it needs—whether it’s extra hydration in winter or lightweight protection in summer—you can thrive through every season.