Skin Health

Navigating Skin Care Across Different Climates: Expert Tips

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As people move across different regions, their skin undergoes significant changes due to varying climates. Erin Blackwell, a licensed aesthetician and laser specialist, shares her insights on how to manage skin care in diverse environments, emphasizing that each climate presents unique challenges and requires tailored approaches.

Humid Climates

In humid environments like the South, skin can experience issues like rosacea flares, acne, even increased sun damage. Humidity also leads to excess oil production, which can clog pores. "In a more humid climate, you might notice that you’re more oily, you’re more shiny, you might break out," Blackwell explains. "The best advice is to use things that add hydration. So really look at your ingredients, right? Don’t just go buy the brand of skin care that you are trying to purchase." Blackwell recommends finding light gel moisturizers and serums to help maintain a healthy balance without suffocating the skin.

Dry Climates

In contrast, those living in drier climates, such as mountainous regions or arid states, often struggle with dehydrated skin that can appear crepey. "It may not be that you’re actually wrinkly, it’s that your skin is dehydrated and lacking hydration and moisture," Blackwell says. The dry air strips moisture from the skin, making it essential to focus on deep hydration and moisturizing products. Look for thick moisturizers and drink extra fluids to help hydrate inside and out. These regions can also have higher sun exposure, so residents must be vigilant about using sunscreen and other sun-protective measures.

Active Lifestyles

In places like California, where outdoor activities are a way of life, skincare routines need to account for extended sun exposure. Blackwell explains that it's about understanding your lifestyle and protecting your skin throughout the day. "What are you doing on a daily basis? Because it’s so beautiful, you can do outdoor activities all day long, even late into the evening," she says. "So if you were looking to make a treatment plan for someone in California, you would want to work that around their sun exposure and kind of what they have going on in their life."

Adapting to New Climates

When moving to a new climate, your skin can react almost immediately. "As soon as you're on a plane and that’s a different climate, your skin will feel different," Blackwell notes. Whether transitioning from a humid to a dry environment or vice versa, you might notice your skin becoming tight and less glowy or, alternatively, more oily and prone to breakouts. Plan for these changes and adjust skincare routines accordingly.

Tailored Skin Care for Every Region

Finally, Blackwell emphasizes that skin care is not a one-size-fits-all solution. "New York, you have a long winter, right? So you have people that are not going to be in the sun for an extended period of time," she says. "As far as the Midwest, they can do things year round. So it’s very interesting to see how things change with the skin from person to person, all over the country, from different regions, different climates."

Whether you're battling humidity, dryness, or anything in between, the key to healthy skin lies in understanding your environment and tweaking your skincare routine to meet its demands.

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