What You Need to Know About These Common Seasonal Skin Changes
You have your skin issues under control and then, once the season changes, you’re met with challenges like breakouts, redness, or irritation.
There’s a trigger behind your skin flare-ups. The key is determining what causes your seasonal skin changes so you can enjoy clear, comfortable skin in a sustainable way.
Common Causes of Seasonal Skin Changes
You’ve noticed that your skin becomes drier during winter months and may tend to be more oily in the summer. But seasonal skin changes go beyond this type of discomfort. You may see more breakouts at certain times of the year or during seasonal transitions. Maybe you experience eczema or psoriasis flares, or your rosacea appears to worsen.
If you tend to see an increase in skin challenges with different seasons, read on. Here are ways to identify the most common seasonal skin changes:
- Allergen levels can increase redness and reactivity: Environmental allergens are often linked to symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, and headache. But they can also cause an allergic skin reaction. Outdoor and indoor allergens, like pollen and mold, are linked to eczema, rashes, and dermatitis.
Of course, pollen tends to be worse in spring, summer, and fall, but indoor allergens, like dust and mold, are present year-round. Skin redness, allergic skin itch, swelling, dryness, and raised bumps are all signs of allergen-related skin issues.
- Time spent outdoors can challenge skin: Another skin disruptor that you come into contact with during warmer months is the sun. Sure, UV rays can cause skin damage. But what about the sunscreen you use to protect your skin?
When the sun hits the products on your skin it can cause what is known as a photo-allergic reaction. The sun exposure actually changes how the chemistry of the skincare product interacts with your skin. Some personal care ingredients can cause increased sun sensitivity, and some can cause allergic reactions with redness, flaking, and irritation.
Sunscreens are particularly filled with these problem ingredients, which means you could ironically be giving your skin a setback by using sunscreen.
Some people can also get eczema flares that start with just a bug bite from a mosquito or chigger. The bite can start the itch-scratch cycle which can lead to skin barrier disruption and further inflammation.
High temperatures can also worsen allergic skin reactions, so warm summer days can lead to aggravated skin.
- Sun exposure skin problems for some skin conditions: Overdoing sun exposure leads to sun related skin problems, but there are some benefits to catching some rays for certain skin types. Psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea are all conditions that can be affected by your level of sun exposure. It’s important to know your skin concern and enlist safe sun exposure practices that will keep flares to a minimum.
- Temperature and moisture fluctuations can stress skin: Feel like your skin changes from summer to winter? It’s not your imagination. Research shows fluctuations in temperature and humidity break down the skin’s barrier – a protective layer on the skin that reduces water loss and contact with allergens and chemicals – that can increase skin conditions like eczema and rosacea. Skin barrier damage has also been shown to increase acne breakouts.
- Foods you eat can change seasonally and cause breakouts and allergies: Another area to keep an eye on is what foods cause skin problems. Most of us switch our diets up between the season, eating what’s fresh that time of year. But if you experience an onset of skin symptoms at different times of year, it’s worth taking a look at what you are consuming.
Often people tend to eat more starchy, rich, heavy foods in the fall and winter, and more fresh fruits, greens, and veggies in the summertime. Depending on your skin condition there could be triggers in either seasonal eating style, so it becomes very important to know exactly what is best for your individual needs. There can be compounds in some plant foods that can aggravate skin conditions like eczema. Perhaps you notice that you generally have a breakout after a heavy holiday meal, or that your skin is worse during summer when you consume a lot of sweet drinks.
Take note of when your skin shows signs of disruption and ask yourself if any of the above options could be involved. Seasonal skin care shifts will help to balance your skin.
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