Every year I have a change in my skin. A prominent difference in the dryness, texture, redness and sensitivity. It is the same every year, and even so, it confuses me and makes me feel uncomfortable in myself. “Why is this happening? Why is my skin acting this way? I have changed nothing?!” And then, after some time, I say, “Ah, the weather is changing!” The new season is coming. Every year! But this year I am aiming to be more conscious and, with this, have better mindfulness in my life and towards my skin.
We are living in a time where we are becoming more and more detached from the natural rhythms of life. When I say natural rhythms, what comes to mind for me is: the cycles of the moon, cycles of menstruation, the cycles of the plants that grow in my garden, the planting cycles of the farmers that grow in the Devon countryside, and finally the rhythms of the S-E-A-S-O-N-S seasons.
Seasons are a constant change to the lives of those living in England. We have Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. All offer a new period of life in nature, a new period in how we live our lives and how we care for our skin. However, I have not been caring for my skin consciously through out them.
Trends have made this easy, with the perfect marketing to get me into a state of “this is a miracle cure for my insecurities, I must have it to feel like I have the solution and for my with *irritated, rough, dull, dehydrated, dry, flaky, changing* skin.” but inevitably, it doesn't work and the trend changes. I am left with a dent in my bank balance and nothing to show for it but a shaking finger at myself in the mirror and a, “This is not sustainable!”
But this year (new years can start from whenever you choose fyi!!) I want to live more consciously, and more mindfully. I choose to stop looking at trends and start looking to the seasons for my skincare advice. A conscious living choice and a slow living choice.
I wanted to share my findings. Here is a summary of them and some natural skincare products I adore for each of the seasonal pieces of advice I found.
A Little Skincare Advice From The Seasons
Autumn
The weather shifts from warm to cool; the amount of moisture in the air lessens, skin can dehydrate and become irritated and dry. If you are somewhere where it gets extra cold during autumn, add extra soothing and calming products to your bathroom shelf. [1]
Exactly my experience. The sensitive area around my nose and chin always becomes irritated and red. I found that to work with your skin during this time is to treat it calmly, not with frustration. To adapt to this change can be by choosing a richer moisturiser to help protect the sensitive skin, hydrate and soothe it during this time. I use the Renew Rich Face Oil, with its added Rosehip Oil known for its soothing properties and calming redness; it works a treat!
As well as spring, the autumnal season is known for a rise in some allergies. If your skin is uncharacteristically itchy please seek medical advice from a professional for guidance and advice.
Winter
Winter takes a toll on one's complexion. The cold weather, icy winds and rainier days can have an impact on your protective layer and your natural radiance. This can cause dryness, irritation, redness, sensitivity and flaking skin. It is encouraged to moisturise more, taking time to cleanse with gentle, hydrating ingredients and not harsh ones.
A top tip I've heard: the use of a natural toning water before your moisturiser actually helps the moisturising oils absorb into the skin meaning greater hydration from your moisturiser!
A skincare routine I love for winter is the Reviving Ritual. It includes all the steps and ingredients that I find benefit my skin best during the winter season. A stand out product for me is the Lemon Clay Cleanser that contains squalene, it helps soften and soothe skin with a light weight nourishment without a greasy sheen. [2]
Remember, all skin is different. What works for me may not work for you. Read all the ingredients and product descriptions on the rituals page, click here. You can even create your own three-step skincare routine on the page! Brilliant.
Spring
After the cool winter months causing dry skin, skin can find relief in the milder weather. But it may still have some of the leftover effects from this time. Using a gentle exfoliator like Jojoba Beads mixed into your regular cleanser will help the shedding of this dry skin whilst not disturbing it with a different cleanser, genius! Try the Jojoba Beads In your cleanser this winter and spring.
Switch from heavier moisturisers to lighter ones. With milder temperatures, skin is naturally more radiant. The need for a lighter moisturiser increases. Keep a close eye on your skin's needs as with the change in seasons comes a sensitivity, if you need to continue with a richer moisturiser, do! Work with your skin. I use the Glow Light Face Oil and love the 9 brilliant natural ingredients it uses to nourish my skin during this season; read about them in the ingredients section here.
As a season known for a rise in allergies, if your skin is uncharacteristically itchy, please seek medical advice from a professional for guidance and advice.
Summer
For many, summer is the most joyous of seasons, but it brings with it its own luggage full of factors for our skin.
Plenty of time outdoors, suncream slathered on a plenty for protection from the sun's rays and moisturising heavily after a day in the sun is my usual summer season skin routine. However, to work more with the season, I found I need to firstly hydrate to the high heavens for your body but also your skin's health. Also to be conscious that with higher humidity and higher temperatures means more sweat, more pores clogging up and irritation. [3] For me, this always shows in spots and body acne.
Cleansing and purifying pores during this time of sweat, layers of sun protection and more layers of moisturiser is key to keeping my skin happy. I use a clay cleanser for a dual gentle exfoliation with the added help of purifying tea tree oil to help my spot prone skin during this time. See my Purifying Face Wash here. A wonder product for me is also the Clarifying Manuka Water helps to clear spots and is effective on body acne too! See product here…
Sun protection is a must. Please be careful with your skin and use appropriate sun protection. Read the NHS advice on this here https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
Finally, throughout the seasons, de-clutter and shed what isn't serving you.
De-clutter your skincare products & shed the old skin. Like a spring clean in your home, they say it's good to have a fresh pair of eyes on your skincare to ask, “What is working well for me and what is clogging up my bathroom shelf?” A shedding of the old and in with the new.
We know and preach at Kind Oils that a simpler, condensed bathroom shelf of skincare can be the holy grail. It's practical, easy, and when the products are gloriously rich in the best ingredients that work with your skin, and they are so sensuous to use, why would you need the clutter of trending quick-fixes and trending unknown chemical ingredient products?
Clean beauty, conscious beauty and daily sacred rituals are the way forward.
If you’re in need of some inspiration for a natural skincare routine to add to your conscious living and slow living, browse our Rituals page for set routines for skin type and advice that will help your skin be naturally radiant by age group.
With this new found advice from the seasons, to work with my skin seasonally, I wont be looking back to the trends for any advice on my skin. I hope you won’t too.
Wishing you a joyful autumnal season,
Tiffany & The Kind Oils Family
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