Why Do My Skin and Makeup Go Wrong When the Seasons Change?

Seasonal transitions are times when something new begins and we try to say "goodbye" to the old. During these times, your skin is trying to renew itself too. Your skin's needs change and it can fall out of balance. That's when the effects of changing weather on your skin start to show.

When your skin goes from hot to cold or cold to hot, it loses its balance. You may notice redness, blotches, irritation, and sensitivity. And during this period, the makeup you apply doesn't last very long.

Why Do Seasonal Changes Affect Your Skin So Much?

Seasonal transitions bring temperature swings. Wind, cold snaps, lower humidity, or rising temperatures can make your skin dry, oily, breakout-prone, or red. Air conditioning and heaters in particular dry out the air and leave your skin dehydrated.

Because seasonal transitions happen around springtime, spring skin problems slowly start to appear. When your skin begins to dry out and flake, your makeup looks textured. That's why a seasonal skincare routine is especially important during this time. It helps your skin get back the moisture it lost.

What Are the Most Common Skin Problems During Seasonal Transitions?

Weather changes during seasonal transitions can cause some skin problems. These include:

• Dryness and flaking because your skin loses moisture,
• A tendency to break out because of excess oil,
• Redness, burning, and itching because your skin becomes extra sensitive.

Why Doesn't Makeup Look Good on Your Face During Seasonal Transitions?

Why won't makeup stick to your skin? Why won't it settle? When your skin loses moisture and dries out, makeup can't hold on to flaking skin for long and can look patchy. Excess dryness keeps makeup from melting into your skin.

For makeup to look flawless, it needs to spread evenly over your skin. Because of dryness or excess oil, makeup builds up in some areas and wears off in others. Another reason makeup doesn't look good on your face is blemishes, breakouts, and redness.

Should Your Skincare Routine Change with the Seasons?

Yes, you should change your skincare routine with the seasons. If you don't, you may end up with a damaged skin barrier. Why? Because your skin isn't the same in summer, winter, and the seasons in between. In summer, your skin tends to get oilier, while in winter, wind and cold start to dry it out. Transitional seasons are when your skin loses moisture and gets oily at the same time; in short, it loses its balance.

How Should You Choose Makeup Products During Seasonal Transitions?

One answer to "Why does skin act up when the seasons change?" is that people don't choose makeup products that suit their skin's needs during this time. You need to keep an eye on your skin's sensitivities. Your skin may get drier than usual, peel in certain areas, or flake.

You might also experience the exact opposite: your skin may get oilier because of increased sebum. Breakouts can multiply and leave marks behind. This is exactly why so many of you say, "My makeup falls apart when the seasons change," or "My makeup just won't stay."

During transitional seasons, choose products based on your skin's dryness, oiliness, and sensitivity. If your skin is dry, your foundation should contain moisturizers and have a dewy finish rather than a matte one. Don't overdo loose powder. If your skin is oily, you can choose matte-finish base products. Make makeup removal a priority and use gentle cleansers.

What Should You Do to Strengthen Your Skin Barrier?

To strengthen your skin barrier:

• Don't wash your face with very hot water,
• Use gentle cleansers,
• Be gentle with your skin when you cleanse,
• Use products with ingredients that support your skin barrier (ceramides, glycerin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and more),
• Don't exfoliate too often,
• Make sure the towels and pillowcases you use are clean.