Our body’s largest organ does not often get the credit it deserves. Yes, I’m referring to our skin! The skin serves many functions simultaneously, 24 hours a day, and the smallest of changes in our weather, for instance, can effect the skin’s natural barrier to its appearance and health. The top layer of skin is actually the product of the layers beneath it. The top layer of skin is called the Stratum corneum. It is composed of dead skin cells that form a barrier to protect the skin through the production of sebum and its PH is generally around 5.5, slightly acidic. The second layer is the Stratum lucideum. It is a thin, transparent layer of skin that assists the barrier function to prevent water loss. The third layer of the five layers is also referred to as the epidermis. This layer is called the Stratum granulosum. The key feature of this layer is the lipids contained in the layer to add skin’s waterproof barrier. The fourth layer of skin is called the Stratum Spinosum. this layer is responsible for the skin’s natural immune function to protect the body from bacteria entering the body. The fifth and final layer of the dermis is called the Statum Basale. This is the “nursery” layer where skin cells are formed and pushed up to the above layers to eventually be sloughed and shed through skin renewal or exfoliation. In this layer, cells are assigned their color produced by specialized cells called Melanocytes. Underneath the epidermis is the Dermis. I will devote another post to the demis as it deserves its own recognition.

In this blog, I will explain the differences between winter and summer skincare products and why we need to change our routine seasonally. As with most things we study in life, it is often essential to start at the begging or the foundation to better relate to the subject matter as we learn more. In the subject of skincare, the foundations I will be referring to are the basic layers of the skin, their function, and the natural barrier the skin generates to help protect our body from environmental aggressors such as changes in our daily exposure to changes in heat, light, and how our seasonal lifestyle changes impact the natural cycle of how our skin responds.

Summer skincare is often physically lighter in formulation to allow easy absorption in warmer months. Since our lifestyles are centered around being active outside, humectants, which draw moisture from the air, like hyaluronic acid, a popular skincare ingredient is perfect for plumping the skin which assists in the overall suppleness of skin by reducing the appearance of fines and expression lines. The addition of SPF will protect the skin’s barrier function from harmful radiation so that the skin maintains a balance of moisture. SPF should be applied as the last step in your skincare regimen.

Winter skincare is of course similar to summer skincare with a few changes in formulations so that the product is thicker and uses emollients, such as lipids and ceramides to strengthen and nurture a healthy barrier. this extra weight of formulation is referred to as occlusive because of the chemical differences and weight on the skin, which forms an artificial barrier to help the skin maintain moisture from internal aggressors in winter like the constant exposure to indoor heating. Occlusive products are sometimes formulated so thick that the skin can not absorb the product, this helps when harsh, extreme environments cause the skin to moisture often at a rapid rate. thus creating dehydrated skin which can be flaky, and dull in appearance, and texture.