#AskDrKaplan - Does my skin need new skincare now that the weather is warming up?

The short answer is: yes. During winter our body is bundled up tight when going outdoors but your face is usually exposed to the cold weather, making it vulnerable to chapping and drying from harsh winds and freezing temperatures. Even on days when those harsh weather conditions don’t apply, the humidity levels are much lower in the winter months. To counteract and protect our skin we use heavy and thick moisturizer, serum, balms and essential oils. During the colder month our skin needs these products but with warmer temperatures approaching we need to shift our skincare products. I recommend using a lightweight Moisturizer that contains Hyaluronic Acid and an SPF of at least 30. Additionally, I suggest swapping your rich milk cleanser for a Purifying Foam Cleanser with a gel-like texture. A Purifying Foam Cleanser can help your skin to get rid of excess oils from winter and for that reason it's perfect for warmer temperatures. Last but not least I strongly recommend using a Microfoliant. The Cell Renewing Microfoliant contains Pineapple and Papaya Enzymes to gently break up dead skin cells and clogged pores, while finely ground Date Seeds and Jojoba Esters polish the skin. Unlike sugar crystals or plant shells that have sharp rough edges, Date Seeds and Jojoba Esters are spherical, which allows them to finely polish the skin without irritating. I always give my patients the example of a gardener who tends to their plants. When the soil around the plant is flat and solid, it is harder for water and fertilizer to absorb into the ground and reach the plant’s roots. But by tilling, or loosening, the soil around the plant, it allows for nutrients to absorb into the soil more effectively. For skin, dead skin cells are constantly shedding and mixing with the oils and dirt on the surface of our skin. This mixture clogs pores and gives skin a dull, lackluster complexion. By using a gentle facial exfoliant, 2-3 times a week, it breaks up all surface residue and reveals a fresh layer of new cells, ready to receive all the nutrients from your serums and moisturizers.