Cooler weather, smarter skincare

As the seasons change, so do your skin’s needs. Cooler weather often means lower humidity levels, which can affect your skin’s moisture balance, oil production, and overall health. Whether your skin tends to be oily, dry, or dehydrated, adjusting your routine is essential to keep it looking and feeling its best. From swapping out lightweight summer products for more nourishing alternatives to incorporating hydrating masks and advanced exfoliation, small tweaks can make a big difference. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best skincare adjustments for the cooler months, helping you maintain a healthy, glowing complexion all season long.

How can you adjust your skin routine as the seasons change?

Oily, breakout-prone skin

As the weather cools, your skin may feel less oily due to lower sebum production, which can help reduce breakouts. However, keeping your skin hydrated is still essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier, balancing oil production, and supporting overall skin health.

To boost hydration, use a soothing gel mask 2–3 times a week. Continue moisturizing with Vitaderm’s Ultra-Light Moisture Cream, or consider layering a light facial oil, such as Vitaderm’s Lipid Complex, over your moisturizer to lock in hydration. For an extra moisture boost, incorporate a hyaluronic acid serum in your morning routine and use a facial oil in the evening for added nourishment.

Since your skin is producing less oil, you may want to switch from a gel moisturizer to a light lotion-based formula, like Vitaderm’s Ultra-Light Moisture Cream, which offers a bit more nourishment—perfect for cooler weather. With reduced oil production, you may not need to use the Purifying Treatment Cream as frequently. Instead, try alternating it with a light moisturiser or a hydrating treatment cream to keep your skin balanced and comfortable.

Dry, dehydrated skin

Dry and dehydrated skin often becomes even drier during cooler months, especially in regions with harsh, dry winters like the interior parts of South Africa. This added stress on the skin makes it essential to adjust your routine to maintain hydration and comfort.

Start by swapping your gel cleanser for a creamy, milky cleanser, or opt for an oil-to-milk formula, such as Vitaderm’s Pre-Cleanse, to gently remove impurities while nourishing the skin. For daytime hydration, incorporating a creamy gel serum can help replenish moisture while conditioning the skin. Vitaderm’s Illuminating Lifting Gel, enriched with peptides and hyaluronic acid, provides deep hydration, anti-ageing benefits, and protection from environmental stressors.

If your skin feels particularly parched, switching to a more conditioning moisturiser can provide long-lasting nourishment and defense against the elements. Options like Vitaderm’s Protective Cream or Anti-Ageing Treatment Cream deliver extra hydration and support skin resilience.

Cooler weather is also the perfect time to introduce advanced skincare actives, such as vitamin-rich serums and treatment creams. Consider adding a retinol serum, like Vitaderm’s Retin-Glow Skin Capsules, or the Multi-Vitamin Treatment Cream, which is packed with vitamins A, B3, B5, C, and E to enhance radiance and support skin health.

For an extra moisture boost, use a creamy overnight mask with antioxidants to deeply nourish and restore the skin’s glow. Layering a facial oil over your moisturizer at night can further lock in hydration, enhance skin conditioning, and provide long-lasting softness.

Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll reveal our top skin oil recommendations!

Now is the time to embark on an exfoliation journey!

Autumn is an amazing time for deeper exfoliation and skin peel treatments.

Cooler weather is the perfect time to introduce more advanced exfoliation, whether at home or in a salon. Vitaderm’s Hydroxy Acid Serum contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids, which gently exfoliate the skin’s surface while also targeting clogged pores and dark spots, leading to a clearer, more even complexion. For more advanced skin treatments, speak to your skin therapist about Vitaderm’s advanced exfoliation treatments, which help stimulate cell renewal and leave your skin feeling smoother and more refined.

Should I still be wearing my SPF?

As the sun’s intensity decreases and we spend more time indoors, it may seem like SPF is less important. However, occasional sun exposure and even blue light from digital screens can still cause skin damage. For everyday protection, use Vitaderm’s SPF25 sunscreen. However, if you’re using advanced exfoliation treatments, continue using a high SPF sunscreen to shield your skin and maintain its health.