Your skin can be temperamental as the seasons change — breaking out in the summer heat and becoming dry and itchy during cold winter months. What can you do to maintain soft, healthy skin year-round? With the right knowledge and skin care treatments, you’ll be ready to glow.

Arm Yourself with Knowledge

Understanding skin care can be a daunting task with so many lotions, serums, and other products to consider. However, you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble when you start by understanding your skin.

Is your skin oily, dry, or a combination? Are you prone to acne? Is your acne constant or hormonal? How does your age affect the condition of your skin? Are you starting to see fine lines or other issues you want to address?

If you’re unsure, a visit to a dermatologist can help you better understand your skin, making it much easier to find the products that best meet your needs. Don’t forget to factor in your environment. Warm, cold, humid, and dry weather can all impact your routine.

Hydrating Skincare Treatments

Hydrated skin is happy skin. Your skin barrier, the outermost layer, needs hydration to function properly — carry nutrients where they need to go and protect your body from germs, toxins, and irritants. Drinking plenty of water is a good start, but the right topical applications can help to combat drying from soaps, weather conditions, and more.

Always Wear Sunscreen

Sun exposure can affect you year-round. Harmful UVA and UVB rays damage your skin and lead to premature signs of aging or the formation of skin cancer. Adding vitamin D sunscreen to your routine can help to protect you from these dangers.

Whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, you should slather on sunscreen in every season, especially on your face. Choose a product that doubles as a moisturizer and sunscreen. When you understand your skin, hydrate properly, and protect against sun damage, you’ll enjoy your best skin from one season to the next.