Skin care is not one-size-fits-all. There are many factors that go into building a skin care regimen such as age, existing skin conditions, skin type and the climate you live in. The weather and climate can dramatically affect the skin and how you care for it should be adjusted according to where you live and even where you visit, if you plan to be there long enough.

You may have noticed that your skin behaves differently when you are somewhere cold and dry versus somewhere warm and humid. Below is some general advice on skin care tailored toward various climates and/or weather conditions.

Desert/Dry (warm/dry or cold/dry): Desert or dry climates such as those found in the American Southwest and West can range from very hot in the summer months to cold in the winter months, but have the consistent characteristic of very low humidity. Hot temperatures combined with low humidity (such as you'd find in Arizona or Southern California) suck the moisture from your skin, literally baking it. Wind and cold combined with low humidity (such as you might find in high desert or mountain regions) can cause dry, flaky skin as well. Dust and dirt blowing in the air contributes to clogging pores. Dry climates can also cause certain skin conditions like eczema, keratosis pilarsis, psoriasis and dermatitis to flare up. Skin cancer is a concern in dry climates as well, where sunny days with little or no cloud cover are plentiful and the sun's rays are strong.

The first and most important thing you need to do to keep your skin healthy in a dry or desert climate is to use adequate sun protection. Apply a daily moisturizer with built-in SPF like MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Moisturizer SPF 20, a lightweight multi-benefit moisturizer with sunscreen and age defense in one, or try an all-over formula like DERMAdoctor Body Guard Exquisitely Light SPF 30 For Face & Body.

Avoid sun exposure when it's at its highest, between about 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., if possible. Also remember that even if it's cold, if it's sunny and dry, you can still get sunburn, so protect your skin when you're hitting the slopes or going for a mountain hike. If you plan to be out for a long period of time in a dry or desert climate, reapply sunscreen frequently. Don't forget the lips desert climates can cause the lips to get dry, chapped and cracked. Apply a lip balm with adequate sun protection frequently, such as Vanicream Lip Protectant SPF 30.

After protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays, the next most important thing to do is keep it hydrated. Start from the inside out by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Most doctors recommend at eight eight-ounce glasses per day, and even more if you are exercising or it's very hot.

Minimize the number of baths and/or showers you take daily and use warm to cool water if possible as very hot water can further dry and irritate skin. Avoid irritating, heavily perfumed body washes or soaps and instead opt for a mild, moisturizing cleanser such as DERMAdoctor Born To Be Mild Medicated Face & Body Cleanser.

When you get out of the bath or shower, gently pat your skin dry and use plenty of moisturizer (on the body and face) to keep it hydrated. If your skin is overly dry already, or prone to "chicken skin bumps," try DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Moisturizing Therapy For Dry Skin, which helps correct most dry skin concerns. Korres Yogurt Body Butter extra moisturizing cream for dry skin is also a great smoothing and moisturizing cream for all over the body, ideal for dry elbows, heels and knees.

For the face, try Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Maximum Moisture Treatment, a formula that restores skin to a healthy moisture balance while protecting it with skin-saving antioxidant vitamins and nutrients. Moisturize in the morning, and again before bed to retain moisture round the clock. Consider a heavier night cream such as Murad Perfecting Night Cream, an intensive hydrating cream that nourishes and rejuvenates skin overnight by restoring lost moisture and promoting healthy cell turnover.

Tropical/Humid: Climates that are tropical or very humid, such as areas in the Southeastern United States and parts of the Midwest present very different skin challenges. Humidity can put the pores into overdrive, sweating to cool you down, but clogging them, causing oily skin and breakouts, especially during the summer months.

Obviously if you live in a tropical climate with high humidity, you also face the dangers of sun damage and skin cancer as noted above, so sunscreen is imperative here as well. Since oil build-up can be an issue, opt for light non-greasy formulas like Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30.

If the sun and the heat are getting to you and your skin, "chill out" with Korres Yogurt Cooling Gel After-Sun. This after-sun gel provides long-lasting freshness and comfort to the face and body, instantly relieving UV-induced redness and the sensation of burning.

When humidity is high, sweating is unavoidable (and necessary), but it can make you feel like you need another shower as soon as you step out of one. To keep the perspiration from getting the best of you, try the revolutionary DERMAdoctor MED e TATE injection-free medicated hyperhidrosis control wipes. As seen on the Today show, MED e TATE combines a patent pending formula of newest generation antiperspirant therapy with a blend of botanicals that work together to control excessive sweating.

To keep the hard-working pores clean and clear in warm, humid climates and weather, use a clarifying facial cleanser such as Murad Clarifying Cleanser, which contains potent antibacterial triclosan and acne-fighting salicylic acid to help gently but effectively reduce blemishes and keep skin clear. Consider also using an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and additional debris. Try DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry Facial Microdermabrasion + Multiacid Chemical Peel. Always make sure you remove all makeup and cleanse the skin before bed as well so your skin can "breathe" overnight.

While the sun in tropical or warm/humid climates can dry the skin, sweating can cause it to be oily. You still need to moisturize to keep your skin healthy and reduce sun damage, but keep it light and look specifically for non-greasy formulas or those made for oily skin. Try a gel moisturizer such as MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Hydrating Gel, containing hyaluronic acid to attract and bind moisture without any oil or greasiness. Hyaluronic acid can retain over 1000 times it's own weight in water and helps to keep skin firm, plump and healthy-looking.

When selecting skincare products for a tropical or humid climate, look for products that use botanical ingredients and essential oils that help your body stay cool. Soothe your skin with Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque containing cucumber, papaya, chamomile, pineapple, sugar maple, sugar cane, orange, lemon and bilberry extracts. This mild formula can be used daily and is safe for all skin types.

Mix: If you live in the Midwest, Northeast or other parts of the country, you may experience a mix of climates depending on the season. It may be warm and humid in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. You should vary your skincare regimen based on the guidelines above depending on the season you are in. Weather extremes can wreak havoc on the skin, so pay attention to what the climate is doing and adjust your routine accordingly. You will likely have "winter products" and "summer products" and some that overlap for year-round use depending on your skin type.

City/Urban: Although it's not technically a "climate," urban environments have certain factors that affect the skin. High levels of smog and air pollution can clog the pores, choking the skin, as well as cause free radical damage that accelerates the visible aging process of the skin.

These tiny airborne particles do more damage than most people realize. Because of their small size, these pollutants are often able to easily penetrate tissues, airways and other membranes. Others are so small they can be easily absorbed by the skin or mucus membranes of the mouth, airway and nasal passages resulting in dramatic damage.

Ozone, one of the main components found in smog, promotes tissue destruction through a strong chemical reaction and free radical damage that results in loss of collagen and cellular integrity.

If you live in the city (especially a large one), take steps to protect your skin against the pollutants it can encounter such as staying well hydrated. Not only does water help increase circulation and eliminate waste from the body, but it is essential to help skin retain that supple yet firm appearance. In addition to drinking plenty of fluids, make sure your skin is able to retain the moisture and other oils from the inside out. Search for products like Prevage Body Total Transforming Anti-Aging Moisturizer that contain Idebenone, or Kinerase PhotoFacials Day Moisturizer with SPF 50.

Antioxidants are a great weapon in the fight against free-radical damage caused by pollutants. Eat foods rich in them (pomegranate, melon, green tea) and search for products with an anti-oxidant boost such as Neutrogena Anti-Oxidant Moisture Night or MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Lotion. Better yet, "power up" your water with Dr. Brandt Anti-Oxidant Water Booster - Original Green Tea . This sugar-free, calorie-free supplement also comes in delicious flavors like pomegranate and blueberry the perfect healthy beverage for the city girl on the go.

Wherever you live, or visit for extended periods, just remember to take the climate in consideration when evaluating skin conditions, your skin care routine and the products you. Select products ideally suited to both your skin type and the environment in which you live.

Amy Burger
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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