For as long as you can remember, you’ve had what you would describe as oily skin. Or maybe you’ve been blessed with perfectly balanced normal skin, that also happens to be resilient against anything you do to it. You’ve gone years of your life accepting this as the norm – and then suddenly, things seem to change.

Are those dry patches where a slight oily sheen normally appears? Is your normally balanced skin, breaking out in response to a new product? Is it possible that your skin type can change over time, and more specifically, what exactly is going on here?

The truth is, your skin can go through many changes as you age, and your once predictable skin can suddenly seem unfamiliar. Remember when those first hormonal rushes of adolescence prompted a breakout, or how that one especially cold winter seemed to zap every last bit of moisture from your skin?

Skin type changes due to a number of factors, and it can all be so confusing. It might seem like you’ve just found a skincare routine that perfectly suits your skin, and then something happens to throw it out of balance again. Curious about what causes skin type to change over time, and how to keep it healthy through the changes? Let’s take a closer look.

What Causes Skin Type to Change?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question. Skin type changes for a variety of reasons, some of them obvious – with others leaving you completely perplexed. Of course, changes in skin type aren’t always a bad thing (you’re probably not going to hear too many people complaining when acne takes a hike). Still, dealing with these changes is a lot easier when you have an idea of what’s behind them. Here are 5 of the most common causes of skin type changes.

Hormones

Hormones are among the biggest culprits behind changing skin types for both men and women, and it’s something that can be a lifelong issue. Hormones fluctuate throughout our lives, starting early as the body gears up for adolescence. From there, other hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause, bring about changes to our skin. Hormonal contraceptives can also shift hormone levels, causing changes as well.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

I know, you’ve heard that the old wives’ tale that greasy foods and chocolate can make you break out is nothing more than a myth. It’s true that the food itself won’t cause changes to your skin, but how your body reacts to it can. For instance, our bodies often have an inflammatory response to foods that are fried or high in sugar. Inflammation can lead to a host of skin changes, like the onset of acne, rosacea, or premature loss of elasticity. Likewise, nourishing your body with healthy foods helps keep everything in working order – including your skin.

Medications

If your skin has suddenly changed, the new medication you’re taking could be to blame. Medications can alter the body’s chemistry and hormones, bringing about changes to skin type. Take for example how hormonal birth control can help control some forms of acne by bringing about hormonal balance. Other medications, such as diuretics can dry out the skin. If your skin has changed drastically, and not for the better, in response to a medication, ask your doctor about alternatives that may be available.

Climate

Those of us who live in areas that experience changing climates know firsthand how the weather forecast influences more than whether we’ll wear a sweater when we go outside. Changes in climate can bring about changes in skin type for many people.

Hot, humid climates can cause the oil glands in the skin to go into overdrive, while cold, dry wintery months can leave skin dry, patchy, and itchy. Thankfully, this is something that can be anticipated and remedied with a skincare routine that keeps your skin in perfect balance all year round.

Environment

Environmental changes can cause shifts in your skin type. If you think about it, this makes perfect sense. Your skin is the barrier that protects your body from all environmental elements, so of course, it’s going to absorb and respond to what it’s exposed to. Sometimes the differences in the environment that bring about skin changes are subtle. A new office environment, HVAC system, or even new furniture or flooring in your home can cause your skin to react in a different way.

Dealing with Changing Skin

When you first notice that your skin is changing, it can catch you a little off guard. The fact is, by that point, your skin has probably been undergoing some changes for a while. It’s that they were subtle enough that you didn’t pay much attention to them at the time.

This is why it’s important to pay attention to your skin throughout the year and look for signs that your skincare routine isn’t working as well as it once was. It’s always a good idea to use skincare products that are gentle, natural, and formulated with ingredients that work well with multiple skin types, such as Vitamin C.

To understand where your skin is currently at, we recommend taking our Skin Care Quiz at least quarterly. You may be surprised at how much your answers change with the seasons. Fortunately, this simple quiz allows you to home in on the best products for where your skin is right now, avoiding a lot of trial and error.

Rolling with the Changes

Skin changes are a fact of life, but you don’t have to let them get you down. It all starts with taking care of your skin and taking care of your body. If you’re starting with a good foundation of skincare, dealing with the changes isn’t so difficult.

"Hormones/Endocrine System;Inflammatory Conditions " "Anti-Inflammatory;Environment;Natural Skincare Regimen " "All Types;Breakouts;Dry;Fine Lines and Wrinkles;Inflammatory Conditions;Loss of Collagen;Loss of Elasticity;Normal;Oily;Rosacea;Sensitive " "Ascorbyl Glucoside;Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate "