Guide to Skin Health by Location and Climate

Where you live may play a huge role in the health of your skin and your skin care routine.

Sounds like the celeb world doesn’t need to spend my an arm and a leg on the latest and greatest skin regimen. They just need to buy another house in a city that is known for the best skin health!

While most of us aren’t going to uproot our lives for the sake of our skin (although if you are, it looks like Portland ranks #1), it is important to change your skin routine with the seasons or properly protect your most important layer when you are traveling for vacation. In NYC, we have 4 distinct seasons and I am in the midst of the most humid summer of my life. Needless to say, my skin is begging for fall, but I am thrilled to see that my hometown ranks #8 in the cities that are best for your skin because of our low cancer death rate. I knew there was a reason I moved here.

Until your next big move, do the best to care for your skin based on the seasons your skin experiences and adjust your skin product and routine with your changing climates.

How to Moisturize by Climate

In a Dry Climate: Make use of your humidifier and opt for oil-based products because they will help retain more moisture on your skin’s outer layers.

In a Humid Climate: You still need to moisturize even though humid locations have plenty of water in the air. The best moisturizer for humid locals are noncomedogenic  (meaning they won’t clog your pores) which can help prevent break outs.

In a Hot Climate: The warmth of the sun on your skin can be pleasant, but hot climates can also be your skin’s enemy because it can dry you out or cause sunburns. Make sure you have a moisturizer that does not clog your pores and contains sunscreen. And always exfoliate after your swim to prevent skin dehydration.

In a Cold Climate: Cold air contains very little moisture and can cause dry and cracked skin. Bring out the humidifier to add moisture to the air. Stick to short, warm water showers so that your skin doesn’t get further dehydrated in an extra hot cleaning session.  If you have extremely dry skin, maternity skin care products are great because they are extremely hydrating and made with fewer ingredients.

In a Windy Climate: A nice breeze is welcome, but full-blown wind can be vicious to your skin. Try to cover your body for a barrier from nature’s elements. To protect your face from dry patches and chapped lips, always apply a facial moisturizer and carry a lip balm with you at all times.

Where does your city rank for skin health? Do you change your skin care products based on the seasons?

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Infographic via

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