10 Fall Skincare Tips for Glowy Skin Throughout the Season
Fall will soon be here! While we’re sorry to see the summer months end, we’re looking forward to the cooler temperatures, stunning foliage, and (of course!) warm, comfortable lattes that the next season will bring. We always get ready for fall by trading in our summer clothes for cozy sweaters, thick boots, and lightweight coats. What about our beauty practices, though? Light moisturizers and gel cleansers won’t do in the winter, so we also need to switch up our skincare regimens and cosmetics.
In the summer, your skin has certain requirements (additional SPF for the summer sun, a cooling face mist, gel moisturizers to allow skin to breathe), and the fall weather calls for formulas that provide the moisture your skin needs when exposed to dry air.
Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, states that when the air is less humid, such as during the transition from summer to fall, “skin loses a lot of moisture into the environment.” However, picking the best skincare products can be challenging. We’ve compiled the top autumn skincare advice and products that we adore to take the guesswork out of your skincare routine and get your skin glowing and looking its healthiest yet!
Use a Hydrating Cleanser to Start
When there is less humidity in the air, you need a balancing cleanser that can hydrate and doesn’t strip away moisture. Light, frothy cleansers feel so wonderful in the summer. In the spring and summer, use more emollient (oil-based) cosmetics than humectant (water-based) ones, advises esthetician Jessica Houston.
You can discover everything from cleansing milks to creams and even gels to keep your skin feeling hydrated with components like vitamin E while searching for the ideal hydrating cleanser. (Dr. Nazarian appreciates the DOVE Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar for its ability to increase and seal in hydration while gently cleansing.)
Gently Exfoliate Less Frequently.
It could be tempting to scrub your skin mercilessly in an attempt to brighten it up if it’s dry and dull. Aggressive exfoliation, however, might cause even more dryness and irritability. Because humidity draws moisture to your skin, your skin has more of a buffer in the summer to protect it from the irritation that exfoliants can cause. Make sure the exfoliator you choose is gentle on your skin and use it less frequently.
If you must exfoliate, pick a chemical exfoliant instead. Because they could make the skin more sensitive during the summer when there is a lot of sun exposure, Houston adds that fall is an excellent time to start taking those stronger AHAs and BHAs.
Use a light exfoliating toner two to three times a week if you think your skin needs it. Just be sure to use numerous hydrating products concurrently.
Apply a Serum With Hyaluronic Acid or Vitamin C.
Did you know that hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant to hydrate the skin? It resembles an all-powerful element for skin hydration. When it comes to vitamin C, it not only gives the skin antioxidants and defense against free radicals, but it also lightens your skin by even out the tone and eliminating dark spots.
To keep skin bright, plump, and hydrated like it used to over the summer, incorporate both a vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serum into your skincare routine.
Replace With Richer Moisturizer
Although it may seem obvious, one of the simplest methods to prepare your skin for fall is to top your current light lotion with a richer one. Dr. Nazarian claims that humectants and emollients, which draw in moisture and lock it in, are both necessary for treating dry skin. Hyaluronic acid, which draws water into the skin, is a good humectant. After using hyaluronic acid, use a skin barrier-repairing cream like CERAVE Daily Moisturizing Lotion, which contains ceramides. Over time, these assist in reducing moisture loss into the environment.
Don’t Forget to Use SPF!
Yes, you must protect your skin from sun damage throughout the year (even in cold weather). Although the temperature drops, radiation is still there year-round, and even a small quantity of radiation can add up to the cumulative damage that causes skin cancer, wrinkles, pigmentary issues, and aging of the skin, according to Dr. Nazarian. For this reason, SPFs are still crucial. “I enjoy sunscreens that enhance hydration while being lightweight, protecting skin from UV rays and maintaining moisture throughout the day.”
Take Only Brief Showers
After a chilly day, a nice bath in the tub seems idyllic, right? While we don’t advise skipping your bubble bath entirely, reducing your time in hot water can help to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Use less hot water (hot water eliminates natural oils more than lukewarm water), and take shorter showers during the dry fall season, advises Dr. Nazarian.
Buy a Fresh Body Cream
It’s crucial to moisturize your entire body throughout the chilly winter months. “Moisturize as soon as you get out of the bath, then use an emollient (like VASELINE) thereafter to seal in moisture and stop it from evaporating. Additionally, people frequently wash their skin too vigorously, which can damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier and cause drying, according to Dr. Nazarian.
Your skin barrier, which shields your skin from redness, flakiness, and even eczema brought on by cold weather, is protected and actively rebuilt when you moisturize your entire body.
Purchase a Humidifier
We enjoy entering a warm, comfortable house. However, the moisture in the air might be substantially sucked out by your heating system, leaving little for your skin. Dr. Nazarian advises utilizing a humidifier to add moisturizer to the air during the colder, drier months in order to reduce the likelihood of developing dry skin. Therefore, to help stop moisture loss at night, we turn on our humidifier when our heat comes on (particularly when we are asleep). Your skin will appreciate you for it, we promise.
Watch Your Sugar Intake
As the weather becomes cooler, most skincare enthusiasts may not be as aware of this tip. It makes sense to eat loads of delicious sweet foods throughout the colder months as the holiday season draws near. Pumpkin pie and apple cider donuts are undoubtedly two of our favorite autumnal delicacies.
Be mindful that diets heavy in sugar and processed carbohydrates can cause our skin to itch owing to hormone surges. Drink plenty of water and pay attention to your skin; it will let you know what it needs more of and less of.
Pay Attention to Your Lips, Elbows, and Feet
This advice may seem absurd to you: why should I pay attention to my lips, elbows, and feet? Because they are among the thickest areas of our bodies, our elbows and the bottoms of our feet need a lot of moisture to stay hydrated. Additionally, they are the areas that can dehydrate and lose water the quickest. To prevent them from becoming rough and calloused, pay special attention to these areas when applying body cream.
Your lips, on the other hand, are among the most fragile areas of our skin. Despite their quick healing capacity, you’ll want to guard against them cracking in the winter. Keep a thick lip balm (like Aquaphor or Vaseline) in your purse so you may treat and reapply your lips throughout the day.
