Key takeaways
- A routine that works in July often won’t work in January. Middle Tennessee’s humid summers and dry, heated winters call for different products.
- In spring and summer, lighter oil-free moisturizers and consistent sun protection help prevent clogged pores and sun damage.
- Summer heat means more sweat. Applying antiperspirant to dry skin at bedtime can help, and excessive sweating is a treatable medical condition.
- Fall, when UV exposure drops, can be a practical time to schedule treatments like laser resurfacing and chemical peels.
- In winter, creams and ointments, shorter warm showers, and a humidifier help protect a dry skin barrier.
The short answer: keep your sun protection and gentle cleansing the same all year, and adjust your moisturizer, your sweat and oil control, and the timing of any in-office treatments as the seasons change. Middle Tennessee’s weather swings from humid summers to dry winters, and the skin barrier feels both extremes.
If you are starting from scratch, begin with our guide to how to maintain healthy skin. Below is what to change each season.
Spring: lighten up and restart sun protection
Switch to a lighter moisturizer if your skin feels greasy
As temperatures and humidity rise, the rich cream that helped in February can start to feel heavy. If your skin looks shiny or you notice more clogged pores, try a lighter, oil-free lotion or gel moisturizer labeled non-comedogenic. If your skin still feels dry, there is no need to switch just because the calendar changed.
Get sunscreen back into your daily routine
Spring days pull more people outdoors for longer, and UV exposure climbs well before summer heat arrives. A broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, as the American Academy of Dermatology recommends, should be part of every morning.
Watch for skin reactions during pollen season
Spring pollen can aggravate sensitive skin for some people, and itchy, irritated patches that don’t settle may be eczema or contact dermatitis rather than simple dryness. Those need a diagnosis, not just a new moisturizer.
Summer: control sweat and oil, and protect your skin
Reapply sunscreen, and use enough
Summer is when sunscreen habits slip. The AAD recommends reapplying about every two hours outdoors and after swimming or sweating, and notes that most adults need about 1 ounce to cover exposed skin. Shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a wide-brimmed hat add real protection during long Nashville afternoons outdoors.
Choose non-comedogenic, oil-free products
Heat and humidity mean more oil and sweat on the skin. Oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers and sunscreens are less likely to clog pores. Showering soon after workouts and washing hats, headbands, and athletic gear often can help reduce breakouts triggered by sweat and friction.
Apply antiperspirant at night
Antiperspirant works by temporarily blocking sweat glands, and it works best on dry skin. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that when antiperspirant is part of a treatment plan for excessive sweating, you apply it to dry skin before bedtime and let it dry completely. Deodorant can still go on in the morning.
If sweating soaks through clothing or interferes with daily life even with antiperspirant, that may be hyperhidrosis, a medical condition with several treatment options. Learn more about excessive sweating treatment.
Fall: transition your routine and plan treatments
Start moving back toward richer products
As humidity drops in October and November, many people notice tightness or flaking. That is the time to begin moving from a gel or light lotion back to a cream, rather than waiting until skin is already cracked.
Consider fall for resurfacing and peels
Treatments such as laser resurfacing and chemical peels leave skin more sensitive to the sun while it heals, and careful sun protection afterward is part of recovery. With shorter days and lower UV exposure, fall and winter can be a practical time to schedule them. Candidacy, recovery time, and timing depend on the treatment and your skin, and are discussed at a consultation.
Keep up sunscreen
UV exposure drops in fall but doesn’t disappear. Daily sunscreen stays in the routine, especially if you are using retinoids or planning a resurfacing treatment.
Winter: protect a dry skin barrier
Cold outdoor air and heated indoor air both pull moisture from the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology’s tips for relieving dry skin include:
- Keep showers short and warm. Five to 10 minutes in warm, not hot, water, with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
- Moisturize within a few minutes of drying off, while skin is still slightly damp.
- Use a cream or ointment rather than a lotion. The AAD notes they are more effective and less irritating. Ingredients such as petrolatum, dimethicone, glycerin, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid can help.
- Add a humidifier. According to the AAD, a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom can help treat and prevent winter dryness.
- Protect your lips and hands. Use lip balm, and carry a non-greasy hand cream to apply after each hand washing.
If dry skin itches intensely, cracks, bleeds, or doesn’t improve with these steps, it may be eczema or another condition that flares in winter. Our providers treat dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis.
What stays the same all year
Some habits don’t change with the seasons: daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, gentle cleansing, not tanning, and checking your skin monthly for spots that are new or changing. A professional skin exam is typically recommended once a year, or more often if you are at higher risk. Gold Skin Care Center offers full-body skin cancer screenings year-round.
What to do next
If seasonal changes are causing breakouts, flares, sweating, or dryness your routine can’t handle, a dermatology visit can identify what’s behind it. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael H. Gold founded Gold Skin Care Center in Green Hills in 1990, and our dermatology providers see patients of all ages. For medical dermatology, the practice accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid; coverage varies by plan and service.
Schedule an appointment online or call (615) 383-2400.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use a different moisturizer in summer and winter?
Many people do better with a lighter, oil-free moisturizer in humid summer months and a richer cream or ointment in dry winter months. Let your skin guide you: switch when it feels greasy or tight, not just when the season changes.
Why is it better to apply antiperspirant at night?
Antiperspirant works best on dry skin, and skin is usually driest at bedtime. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying it to dry skin before bed when it is part of a plan for excessive sweating.
When is the best time of year for laser resurfacing or a chemical peel?
Many patients schedule these in fall or winter, when UV exposure is lower, because treated skin needs careful sun protection while it heals. The right timing depends on the treatment and your skin, so ask at your consultation.
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Results vary, and every treatment carries risks. An appointment with a board-certified dermatologist or qualified dermatology provider is the best way to learn which options are right for you.
