How the Seasons Affect Your Skin – and How to Care for It the Right Way

How the Seasons Affect Your Skin – and How to Care for It the Right Way

Our skin is a true multitasker – it protects us from cold, sun, wind, and pollutants. But that’s also why it reacts sensitively to seasonal changes.
Temperature, humidity, and sunlight all influence how your skin looks and feels.
Here’s how spring, summer, autumn, and winter affect your skin – and how to care for it in every season.

Spring – A Fresh Start for Your Skin

After the cold months, the skin is often out of balance: it looks dull, dry, and sometimes irritated.
The reason: during winter, sebum production slows down and the skin barrier weakens. At the same time, UV radiation increases again in spring – oxidative stress rises.

Typical skin changes in spring:

• Dull complexion, less glow

• More redness or irritation (e.g. from pollen)

• Sensitive skin barrier

Care focus:

• Antioxidants such as Vitamin C or Ectoin protect against free radicals

• Lightweight moisturizers restore your glow

• Don’t forget sunscreen – UV intensity is already high now

Summer – UV and Heat Stress

In summer, the skin works at full capacity. UV rays penetrate deep into the skin, breaking down collagen, damaging DNA, and causing pigmentation spots.
At the same time, the skin produces more sebum – it becomes oilier and shines more quickly.

Typical skin changes in summer:

• Oilier skin, clogged pores

• Pigmentation spots, freckles

• Increased sensitivity due to sun, salt or chlorinated water

Care focus:

• Consistent sun protection (SPF 30–50) is a must

• Lightweight textures that don’t weigh the skin down

• After-sun products with photolyase help repair DNA damage

Autumn – Adjustment & Regeneration

Days get shorter, the air drier – and the skin has to adapt to new conditions.
Fewer hours of sunlight mean reduced sebum production; the skin becomes drier and looks duller.
Cold air outside and dry heating air inside further strip the skin of moisture and lipids.

Typical skin changes in autumn:

• Dry, sensitive skin

• Redness due to temperature changes

• Visible “summer traces” such as fine lines or pigmentation spots

Care focus:

• Richer creams for stronger barrier protection

• Regenerating ingredients (e.g. hyaluronic acid, peptides)

• Targeted care against pigmentation or photoaging

Winter – Extreme Conditions for the Skin

Now the skin faces the toughest conditions: cold, wind, and dry indoor air stress the barrier intensely.
Lipid production drops, and the skin can no longer retain moisture effectively.
Many people experience redness, eczema, or extremely dry patches during this time.

Typical skin changes in winter:

• Extreme dryness, tight feeling

• Irritated, red skin

• Small cracks or eczema

Care focus:

• Lipid-rich products that strengthen the skin barrier

• Gentle cleansing that doesn’t strip the skin further

• Creams with ceramides, oils, or Ectoin as a protective shield against cold

Seasonal Overview

Conclusion

Your skin changes throughout the year – sometimes it needs more protection from UV radiation, sometimes more lipids to fight dryness.
The key is to adapt your skincare routine flexibly and support your skin with what it needs most at the moment.

👉 With the right active ingredients – tailored to each season – your skin stays balanced all year round.

FAQ

Which skincare is best in winter?
In winter, the skin needs rich creams with lipids, ceramides, and protective ingredients that strengthen the barrier.

Why does skin dry out faster in autumn?
Colder air outside and dry heating air inside increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Sebum production also decreases.

What does the skin need in summer?
Light textures, plenty of hydration, and consistent sun protection with SPF 30–50 are essential to prevent UV damage.