Glowing Skin All Year Long

Summer, winter, spring, and fallwe have clothes for every season, but what about our skin care routine? Just like fashion, if we want to look good all year long, it only makes sense that we pay attention to the fluctuating temperatures, humidity levels, and sun exposure that affect how our skin looks and feels.

Sooo... does this mean you have to overhaul our skincare routine EVERY season?

Nope! (I know, right? Thank goodness!)

Here's what Dr. Roshini Raj, women's health expert and co-founder of TULA ( a probiotic skin care line) says:

The condition of your skin changes with each season and while you don't need an entire beauty routine makeover, there are some useful tweaks that you can add to your daily skincare depending on the time of year.

Fall

1. Focus on Hydration

As high temperatures and humidity levels decrease, it's hello to the dreadful, dry, and parched skin. A word of advice from Dr. Raj is:

During cooler months, you need to pay special attention to thoroughly hydrating your skin. If you want to keep dry skin at bay, you must hydrate your skin on a daily basis.

The best time to apply your moisturizer is right after a showerjust before your skin is completely dry. This will lock the water into your skin and help ensure better hydration.

2. Consider Incorporating a Face Serum

This is also the time of year you might want to consider adding a face serum that specifically targets the dullness of skin. Look for a product that contains brightening ingredients like citrus extracts that will even out your skin tone so you can get your glow on!

Winter

3. Add Probiotics to Keep Your Skin Balanced

Dr. Raj says:

Winter leaves skin vulnerable to variations in the skin's pH level, which may result in dehydration, roughness, aging, acne and sensitiveness. It may also decrease the efficacy of any skin care products, including anti-aging creams.

To restore your skin's balance, look for products that contain probiotics. Named as a new beauty breakthrough by the American Academy of Dermatology, probiotics help strengthen skin's natural protective mechanism and keep your skin hydrated.

Spring/Summer

4. Guard Against Environmental Damage

Dr. Raj recommends supercharging skin protection with skincare products that guard against environmental damage while encouraging collagen production. She adds:

During the summer, the heat wave can cause a variety of skin issues, including dehydration, sun spots, and blemishes. With enough collagen, your skin will stay plump and hydrated, sealing in its own moisture.

So look for skin-protecting and collagen-boosting ingredients like amino acids, probiotics, blueberries, or other fruit extracts with antioxidant activity.

5. Take Hyaluronic Gel for a Spin

Alexis Wolfer, beauty expert and author of The Recipe for Radiance, uses hyaluronic gel instead of a traditional moisturizer in the summer. She says

it helps to add water-based hydration to my skin, without adding any shine to my already-dewy skin.

All Year Round

6. Don't Forget Your SPF

Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 every day whether in rain or shine, from January to December. After all, you want glowing skin, just not the lobster-esque kind. Even Dr. Raj agrees:

When you properly protect your skin from the effects of the sun, elastin and collagen are better preserved, leading to healthier and younger looking skin.

7. Wash Your Face Nightly

Thoroughly clean your skin every night using a gentle cleanser and use a mild exfoliant every two weeks. Dr Raj mentions:

Regular exfoliation encourages better product penetration, removing anything that might interfere with absorption, thus increasing the efficacy of any skincare product you use.

This article was originally published on Organic Authority.