By Kristen Laing-Herbert, Dermal Clinician and Co-Owner of LaGaia UNEDITED & People4ocean
Our skin is more than a surface—it’s a dynamic, living organ that shifts with every season. At LaGaia UNEDITED, our approach to seasonal skincare is rooted in science and powered by nature. We believe in skin literacy—educating our clients to understand and respond to their skin’s evolving needs.
Whether you’re battling winter dryness, summer UV exposure, or spring reactivity, your skincare routine should evolve with the seasons. To that - what actually happens to your skin as the environment shifts—and how to adapt using clean, clinical formulas that respect your skin barrier and long-term dermal health.
SUMMER: Barrier Breakdown & UV Stress
In summer, your skin’s primary role becomes defensive. Think: higher sebum production, sweat, pollution, and aggressive UV radiation. These factors collectively degrade your skin barrier, increasing vulnerability to oxidative stress, hyperpigmentation, and dehydration.
Science Speaks:
UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown, depletes skin lipids, and triggers free radical activity. This leads to cellular damage, compromised skin barrier function, and an increase in pigmentation disorders like melasma.
LaGaia Solution:
Swap heavy occlusives for lightweight, antioxidant-rich serums. Our Vitamin C Serum and Pearlescent + Tinted Bio-Shield SPF 50 sun care deliver targeted repair with clinically potent ascorbic acids molecules, amino acids, and super-active marine extracts—restoring balance, calming inflammation, and replenishing your lipid layer before and after sun exposure. These are must-haves for post-sun recovery and maintaining hydrated skin without congestion.
Shop Suncare & Sun Repair essentials →
AUTUMN: Time for Gentle Repair & Resurfacing
As the air cools and UVB intensity drops, autumn becomes the skin’s moment to breathe and heal. But seasonal transition often causes flaky texture, dullness, and congestion as skin struggles to recalibrate.
Science Speaks:
Cooler temperatures lower enzymatic turnover and sebum production, leading to an impaired barrier and visible dehydration. The skin becomes less efficient at natural exfoliation and moisture retention.
LaGaia Solution:
Introduce gentle exfoliation using acidic bio-stimulating formulas like our AHA Refine Gel and Vitamin A Serum. The formulas encourage cell turnover without stripping. Pair this with barrier-friendly actives like niacinamide, marine collagen, and vitamin B5 to build back strength and luminosity found in our pH Balance Serum our Vitamin A serum also includes niacinamide for complete seasonal treatment.
WINTER: Lipid Loss, Redness & Sensitivity
Dry indoor heating, cold air, and wind are a recipe for dry, sensitive skin and triggering flare-up’s of chronic conditions like eczema or rosacea. This is the season when your skin barrier is at its most fragile.
Science Speaks:
Research confirms that cold weather reduces sebaceous gland output, thinning the stratum corneum and increasing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). The skin also shifts to a more alkaline pH, reducing immunity and increasing inflammation.
LaGaia Solution:
Elevate your winter skincare with ceramide-rich creams, occlusive balms, and omega-fatty acid serums. Our Precious Elements range is designed to mimic the skin’s natural structure—delivering multi-lamellar lipid support to rebuild and protect. For chronically dry or inflamed skin, this is your barrier-repair protocol. Try our Pearl Mask, Beauty Balm or Amethyst Quartz Cream for rich nourishment.
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SPRING: Brightening & Detox Without Sensitivity
Spring triggers increased microcirculation and cell turnover, but also fluctuating sensitivity—especially for reactive or allergy-prone skin. Pollen, temperature swings, and stronger UV can all trigger redness or flare-ups.
Science Speaks:
Histamine response increases in spring, which can result in rosacea flare-ups, perioral dermatitis, and puffiness. Melanin activity also ramps up with UV exposure.
LaGaia Solution:
Ease into brightening actives with micro-dosed vitamin C, B vitamins gentle retinaldehyde, and calming botanicals like chamomile and calendula. A seasonal detox protocol like Kristen delivers in clinic is designed to activate the glow without triggering inflammation. Try our pH Balance Serum for a complete B vitamin treatment, our Resurrection Sheet Mask or Vitamin C Serum for the best brightening and pro-ageing seasonal spring ingredients.
Try our Masks for seasonal detox →
The Year-Round Truth: Seasonal Skincare is Smart Skincare
Here’s what I’ve learned after 15+ years of industry experience and as a dermal clinician: Skin doesn’t need hard resets, it needs rhythm. Seasonal skincare is about flowing with the body’s biology and climate—not forcing a fixed routine.
True skin health means supporting your skin’s natural immunity, microbiome, and barrier function across all four seasons. At LaGaia UNEDITED, we develop our skincare to work with nature—not against it. Start with; key actives and SPF protection as a daily essential for dermal longevity.
Ready for a Seasonal Skin Reset?
Whether your skin needs barrier repair, brightening, or a tailored hydration strategy, we’re here to help.
Explore our seasonal skincare edit →
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References:
1. Skin Barrier Function & Seasonal Impact
• Proksch, E., Brandner, J. M., & Jensen, J. M. (2008). “The skin: an indispensable barrier.” Experimental Dermatology, 17(12), 1063–1072.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2008.00786.x
• Lee, H. J., Yoon, N. Y., & Lee, W. J. (2016). “Seasonal variation of skin hydration, sebum, pH, and elasticity in Korean females.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 15(4), 478–483.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12255
• Verdier-Sévrain, S., & Bonté, F. (2007). “Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 6(2), 75–82.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00300.x
2. UV Radiation and Free Radical Damage (Summer)
• Poon, F., Kang, S., & Chien, A. L. (2015). “Mechanisms and treatments of photoaging.” Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 31(2), 65–74.
https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12155
• Yaar, M., & Gilchrest, B. A. (2007). “Photoaging: mechanism, prevention and therapy.” British Journal of Dermatology, 157(5), 874–887.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08108.x
• Packer, L., Valacchi, G. (2002). “Antioxidants and the response of skin to oxidative stress: Vitamin E as a key indicator.” Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 15(5), 282–290.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000064538
3. Lipid Loss and Barrier Dysfunction (Winter)
• Luebberding, S., Krueger, N., & Kerscher, M. (2013). “Age-related changes in skin barrier function – Quantitative evaluation of 150 female subjects.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 35(2), 183–190.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12027
• Baumann, L. (2007). “Skin ageing and its treatment.” The Journal of Pathology, 211(2), 241–251.
https://doi.org/10.1002/path.2098
• Darlenski, R., & Fluhr, J. W. (2012). “Influence of climate on skin appearance and structure.” Skin Research and Technology, 18(1), 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0846.2011.00542.x
4. Enzymatic Activity and Cellular Turnover (Autumn)
• Rawlings, A. V., & Harding, C. R. (2004). “Moisturization and skin barrier function.” Dermatologic Therapy, 17(1), 43–48.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04004.x
• Tobin, D. J. (2006). “Biochemistry of human skin—Our brain on the outside.” Chemical Society Reviews, 35(1), 52–67.
https://doi.org/10.1039/b505793k
5. Springtime Sensitivity, Microcirculation & Allergic Response
• Leung, D. Y. M., & Guttman-Yassky, E. (2014). “Deciphering the complexities of atopic dermatitis: shifting paradigms in treatment approaches.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 134(4), 769–779.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.08.008
• Paus, R., et al. (1997). “Neuroendocrine regulation of the skin: The skin as a neuroimmunoendocrine organ.” Physiological Reviews, 77(4), 1109–1191.
https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.1997.77.4.1109
• Liu, G. Y., & Nizet, V. (2009). “Skin innate immune defense: mechanisms and clinical applications.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 124(3), 13–22.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2009.06.014
6. Microbiome and Year-Round Skin Immunity
• Byrd, A. L., Belkaid, Y., & Segre, J. A. (2018). “The human skin microbiome.” Nature Reviews Microbiology, 16(3), 143–155.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2017.157
• Egert, M., Simmering, R., & Riedel, C. U. (2017). “The association of the skin microbiota with health, immunity, and disease.” Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 102(1), 62–69.
https://doi.org/10.1002/cpt.698
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