Great skincare requires year-round attention. Each season presents unique challenges for our skin: winter brings the biting cold and dry indoor air; summer means intense sun and high temperatures; and during spring and autumn, our complexion must cope with unpredictable weather and a need for recovery.

To help you navigate these changes, here’s a quick overview of the seasonal skincare landscape.

Season	Main skin challenges	Key active ingredients
Winter	Dryness, irritation, cold exposure	Ceramides, Shea/Cocoa butter, emollients
Spring	Dullness, tired-looking skin, grey tone	Coenzyme Q10, enzymes, hyaluronic acid
Summer	UV radiation, perspiration	Antioxidants, linoleic acid, high SPF
Autumn	Hyperpigmentation, need for renewal	Omega-6 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, Acids (AHA/BHA), Niacynamide

But that’s not the whole story. Your skin’s individual needs—whether it’s dry, oily, combination, or sensitive—ultimately determine what works best. Mindful skincare is the art of listening to your skin and adapting your daily routine to the world outside.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to create an effective year-round skincare plan to keep your complexion looking healthy and radiant, 365 days a year.

The Foundations of Year-Round Skincare: 3 Steps That Always Work

Before we dive into the seasonal specifics, we need to establish a solid foundation. These universal principles are the non-negotiables of any routine; without them, even the best products can’t perform to their full potential.

Step 1: The Double Cleanse – An Absolute Must for a Healthy Complexion

Every great skincare routine begins with a thorough cleanse, both morning and night. Throughout the day, our skin accumulates a mixture of impurities: not just makeup, but also pollutants, sweat, sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This build-up can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. To effectively purify your skin and prepare it for the products that follow, the double-cleansing method is key. This technique removes both oil-based impurities (like makeup and SPF) and water-based debris.

First, use an oil, milk, or cream cleanser to dissolve makeup and oils. Then, follow up with a gentle, cleansing cosmetic. Choosing a formula free from common allergens is the most universal approach. A consistent cleansing routine is fundamental for improving skin metabolism, promoting natural exfoliation, and boosting regeneration.

Step 2: To Tone or Not to Tone?

Toning has long been considered a staple step, but with today’s high-quality cleansers, it’s often no longer essential. A toner’s traditional role is to restore the skin’s natural pH, which can be disrupted during cleansing, and to prep it for the next steps. However, modern cleansers are formulated to respect the skin’s hydrolipid barrier, allowing many people to skip toning without any negative effects.

If you enjoy the ritual of toning or feel your skin benefits from it, opt for a gentle formula free from potential allergens and harsh ingredients. I recommend swapping classic toners and hydrolats for a thermal water spray. It’s gentler on the skin and rich in minerals that support regeneration, perfectly prepping my skin for serums and creams without the risk of irritation.

Step 3: Hydration and Nourishment – The Key for Every Skin Type

Hydration is the cornerstone of a healthy complexion, regardless of your age or skin type. Dry skin requires rich formulas to intensely nourish and moisturise. Look for ingredients like shea or cocoa butter, which are packed with valuable lipids that help rebuild the hydrolipid barrier. While a thick texture often implies a rich formula, it isn’t always the case—so always pay attention to the active ingredients, not just the product’s consistency.

For oily skin, liquid oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids, like Omega-6, are ideal. They help regulate sebum production without weighing the skin down. They absorb quickly, leaving a delicate, satin finish rather than a greasy film. Furthermore, some oils—particularly those with a strong natural colour and scent—are rich in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that deeply nourish the skin and support its regeneration.

Remember to apply hydrating products both morning and night. Your evening routine is especially important, as the skin works hard to regenerate while you sleep. Enhance your routine with a hydrating serum to deliver a concentrated dose of active ingredients. A water-based serum should be applied to damp skin (after a spritz of thermal water) but before an oil or cream. This layering technique helps to boost hydration. Lighter, water-based products soften the skin, while a cream or oil applied on top creates an occlusive barrier, locking in moisture and preventing water loss. The simple rule to remember: always start with the lightest, most watery textures and finish with the richest, oil-based formulas.

Winter Skincare: Protection and Regeneration Against the Cold

Winter is a particularly demanding time for our skin. Low temperatures, harsh winds, and dry indoor heating can leave it feeling sensitive, dehydrated, and often irritated. A proper winter skincare routine requires products that deeply hydrate and regenerate.

So, how to protect skin in winter? Start by choosing the right day cream. Opt for products rich in butters, like shea or cocoa, to build a protective barrier that seals moisture in the epidermis. They are packed with nourishing ingredients that support skin regeneration and shield it from the elements. It’s also absolutely crucial to use an SPF 30 or 50 cream year-round, including in winter. UVA radiation, responsible for photoaging, penetrates through clouds and windows, affecting your skin even on the greyest days.

What to Avoid in Winter: Common Skincare Mistakes

A key mistake is using creams that are too lightweight and fail to create an effective occlusive barrier against the cold and wind. Also, avoid very hot baths and washing your face with hot water, as sudden temperature changes can dry out and irritate the skin.

Spring Skincare: Post-Winter Recovery and a Fresh Start

Spring is a time of transition, and it’s vital for your skin’s condition. After the challenges of winter, your complexion needs to recover and recharge. It’s the perfect opportunity to prepare your skin for the warmer months and more intense UV exposure ahead.

How to adapt skincare for spring? To effectively rebuild the skin’s protective barrier, incorporate products rich in regenerative ingredients, like Vitamin E and botanical oils. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage and supports the renewal process.

Gentle exfoliation is another important element of your spring skincare routine. Choose mild exfoliants that won’t compromise the hydrolipid barrier. Regular, gentle exfoliation helps the skin shed its dull winter layer, encouraging collagen and elastin production for a brighter, more even-toned complexion. This is the ideal moment to introduce our Coenzyme Q10 Serum into your routine to support the skin’s natural repair processes and brighten any post-winter pigmentation.

Summer Skincare: Lightweight Formulas and Uncompromising Sun Protection

In summer, our skin is exposed to UV rays, high temperatures, and increased perspiration. During this time, your face care should focus on nourishing formulas and effective sun protection for the face.

The most important step in any summer skincare routine is a high-factor SPF, preferably SPF 50. Apply your sunscreen over a nourishing, but not-too-heavy, day cream to ensure it stays put and provides better protection. In the evening, focus on thoroughly cleansing away sweat, makeup, and product residue; an oil-based cleanser is an excellent choice. To finish, a fast-absorbing oil serum will leave the skin feeling satin-soft, not greasy, helping it to regenerate after a day in the sun.

What to Avoid in Summer: Common Skincare Mistakes

Avoid heavily fragranced and alcohol-based products, which can cause irritation and pigmentation when exposed to the sun. It’s also wise to steer clear of sticky gel-based creams and heavy makeup, which can clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing in the heat.

Autumn Skincare: A Time for Repair and Intense Renewal

Autumn calls for recovery after a demanding summer and preparation for the coming winter. How should you care for your skin in this season? Focus on rebuilding and strengthening the skin’s protective barrier.

Your autumn skincare routine should include products rich in antioxidants to help the skin fight free radicals and rebuild collagen. This is also the perfect time for intense hydration. Even if your skin leaned oily in the summer, it may need more moisture in the autumn. Introduce creams containing natural oils into your routine.

What to Avoid in Autumn: Common Skincare Mistakes

Autumn is for renewal, not aggression. Avoid harsh acids and strong physical scrubs that can strain a skin barrier already weakened by summer. Instead, opt for gentle enzymatic exfoliants or mild acids (like PHA or lactobionic acid) that exfoliate more gently, reducing the risk of irritation and dryness.

How to Choose the Right Products: A Minimalist and Effective Skincare Collection for Every Season

Building your skincare collection should be a conscious process. Instead of hoarding shelves full of jars, focus on versatility and high-performance formulas. At Alexandra Kubas, we believe in the power of minimalist routines built on products that deliver real results.

Here is my suggestion for a universal skincare toolkit that you can adapt to your skin’s needs and the time of year:

• Our Cleansing Cream: The foundation of your daily, thorough cleanse. It not only removes impurities but also gently exfoliates to even out skin tone.
• Coenzyme Q10 Serum: Your secret weapon against free radicals, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Use it to regenerate, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and restore an even complexion.
• Intensively Nourishing Hypoallergenic Waterless Cream: Your protective shield in winter and a soothing recovery treatment all year round. A hypoallergenic saviour for demanding skin.

Choosing a few multi-tasking products is the secret to effective, year-round skincare. I hope this guide has cleared up any of your questions. Remember, the key is to observe your skin and flexibly adapt your routine.