This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on July 29, 2026.

Seasonal facials are essential to maintaining healthy skin all year long. That being said, facials should never be a one-size-fits-all approach; as the seasons change, so do your skin’s needs. Fall is the perfect time to repair and clarify the skin, while winter is best for calming, hydrating and maintaining a good skin barrier. Spring should be dedicated to brightening your complexion, and summer is a moment to focus on prevention and protection.

Even if you live in an area without drastic temperature changes during the seasons, all skin types can benefit from four quarterly facials every three to four months. No more, no less. Monthly facials, or even facials every six to eight weeks, can lead to sensitized skin, barrier damage and dehydration—plus, the cost and time is totally unnecessary. Similar to your at-home skincare routine, it’s always important to rotate and space out clinical, active ingredients with your facials.

Need a hand? Here are my ingredient recommendations and skin issues to tackle based on each season of the year.

Skincare Facial Recommendations for Each Season

Fall Facial Recommendation: Repair

The summer sun can cause damage and dehydration, leading to dull, dry skin, uneven tone and hyperpigmentation. Not to mention, the excess sweat mixed with heavier products like sunscreen can clog pores and worsen breakouts. For these reasons, fall is a great time for repairing sun damage and replenishing the skin. You also want to focus on hyperpigmentation and treating acne more rigorously.

Exfoliating ingredients like glycolic, lactic, malic or fruit acid peels are best for tackling discoloration and breakouts, especially when the sun is less intense. Glycolic acids are best for those with acne or more severe hyperpigmentation, while lactic and malic acids are a good choice for those with more balanced skin in need of mild to moderate sun damage repair. Lastly, fruit acids are a great choice for those with sensitive skin—plus, you can use them in your everyday at-home skincare routine.

Other ingredients that are beneficial to use in combination with exfoliating ingredients are niacinamide, licorice root extract and gluconolactone. The benefits of this facial could also be maximized by adding microneedling or a photofacial with light or laser treatments.

Winter Facial Recommendation: Hydrate

Winter is the best time to hydrate, calm and strengthen the skin barrier. Cold, harsh weather can compromise the skin barrier, leading to dry, irritated, red and inflamed skin. You may want to start your session with a few gentle exfoliating ingredients to remove dead, dry skin cells—however, your main goal should be to hydrate, plump and calm.

Look for facials including hydrating hyaluronic acid, plumping peptides and barrier-repairing ceramides. You might even opt for calming antioxidants or even CBD. Keep in mind, adding microdermabrasion to lift away dry, dull skin will help your skin absorb these active ingredients more completely. Bonus: winter is the perfect time to incorporate a facial massage into your facial.

Spring Facial Recommendation: Brighten

Spring is the season to brighten and refresh the skin, but it’s also a time for rejuvenation. Focus on ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol. Other ingredients to look for in a spring facial are alpha arbutin, azelaic acid and linoleic acid. Ultimately, your focus should be on brightening your skin after the long winter months and rejuvenating with a gold standard ingredient such as retinol. This may also be paired with some light exfoliation, microblading and red light therapy.

Summer Facial Recommendation: Prevent

Summer is all about prevention. This is a time to get a quality antioxidant facial that helps combat both sun and pollution damage. Keep in mind, it’s important to balance detoxifying ingredients, which help prevent breakouts, with moisturizing ingredients, which keep your skin from getting dehydrated. A good mix of antioxidants such as vitamin C, niacinamide and ferulic acid paired with a mild exfoliating acid like lactic acid and ceramides for hydration are a great combination for the summer. This is also the best time to stock up on a quality facial sunscreen for daily use that won’t clog your pores. Lastly, consider spray tanning—for obvious reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I get a facial?

Four times a year, once per season, spaced three to four months apart. Getting facials more often, like monthly or every six to eight weeks, can actually damage your skin barrier, cause sensitization, and lead to dehydration.

Do I need different facials if I live somewhere without big seasonal temperature swings?

Yes. Even in a mild climate, your skin still benefits from a quarterly rhythm, since each season's routine targets different underlying skin needs, not just weather-related ones.

What should a fall facial focus on?

Repair. Fall is the time to address sun damage, dehydration, dullness, uneven tone, hyperpigmentation, and clogged pores left over from summer. Look for exfoliating ingredients like glycolic, lactic, malic, or fruit acid peels, plus niacinamide, licorice root extract, and gluconolactone. Microneedling or a photofacial can boost results.

Which acid is right for me in a fall facial?

Glycolic acid suits acne-prone or more severely sun-damaged skin, lactic and malic acids work well for balanced skin needing mild-to-moderate repair, and fruit acids are gentlest, making them suitable for sensitive skin and everyday at-home use.

What should a winter facial focus on?

Hydration, calming, and barrier repair. Cold weather tends to strip the skin's barrier, causing dryness, redness, and irritation. Look for hyaluronic acid, plumping peptides, ceramides, calming antioxidants, or CBD. Microdermabrasion can help skin absorb these actives better, and a facial massage is a nice addition this season.

What should a spring facial focus on?

Brightening and rejuvenation. Key ingredients include vitamin C, retinol, alpha arbutin, azelaic acid, and linoleic acid. This is often paired with light exfoliation, microblading, or red light therapy.

What should a summer facial focus on?

Prevention. Look for antioxidant-rich treatments with vitamin C, niacinamide, and ferulic acid, balanced with a mild exfoliant like lactic acid and hydrating ceramides to counter sun and pollution damage without over-drying. Summer's also a good time to stock up on a non-pore-clogging facial sunscreen.

Can I still exfoliate in winter if my main goal is hydration?

Yes, a few gentle exfoliating ingredients at the start of a winter facial to clear away dead skin cells is fine, as long as the overall focus stays on hydrating, plumping, and calming the skin.