Dear Karen,

My skin goes through so much every time the season changes. In the fall and winter, my skin is very dry and flaky while in the summer it is extremely oily. The only time it seems normal is in the spring. I’m not sure what I should do to protect my skin so that it doesn’t become permanently damaged. Please help!

Kristin – Pasadena

Dear Kristin,

Congratulations! Your awareness regarding your skin’s seasonal changes is the first hurtle you must conquer before any change can occur. The second step is taking time to educate yourself on skin care preventative measures. Many people find that educating themselves is too time consuming, so they do nothing until one day the problem becomes so noticeable that they are devastated by the damage that has occurred from their neglect, like wrinkles, dehydration lines, sagging skin, scars, and enlarged pores.

So Remember: The key to change is becoming aware of the problem. You are the best person to know when your skin desperately needs help. As the weather changes so will your skin. During fall and winter the skin needs more hydration to help protect it from the cold, harsh winds. Be sure to use a good moisturizer that will give your skin a burst of hydration. Look for ingredients like algae peptides, hyaluronic acid, and chlorella. Also, it is crucial to eliminate the old dead skin, so be sure to implement lactic acid 12% AHA into your daily routine. A hydrating moisture mist can also benefit the skin and help eliminate the skin’s tight, pulled feeling. It is also important to take extra supplements that can help protect and strengthen the skin, like silica, flax seed oil (oily-normal skin), primrose oil (normal-dry skin), and vitamin E. And for those hot humid months, be sure to use a good moisturizer that contains ingredients like farnesol that helps balance the skin’s hydration level. Be sure to use lactic acid 12% AHA to help eliminate old skin cells and keep pores clear. Make sure that you drink 8-10 glasses of purified water every day, mask weekly, eat a well-balanced diet, take a good multi-vitamin and exercise 30-60 minutes daily.

KDJ’s Basic Daily Routine (morning and night):

1. Ultimate One Step Cleanser
2. Soothing Refining Grains
3. Ultra Lactic AHA Treatment
4. Firming C Eye & Throat Crème
5. Forever Younger or Ultra C Moisturizer
6. Lipid Balancer