From scarves to serums, this time of year is all about layering. Now is the time to dress your skincare routine up (or down) to complement the change in weather. Learn what to add to your current repertoire and what to save for next season.
Let’s get started.
What can happen to my skin in autumn?
Another seasonal change is upon us. And even if you don’t usually experience sensitive skin or dryness, unpredictable weather can cause flare-ups.
In autumn, temperature and humidity levels begin to drop, causing the skin to lean towards the drier side. Add moisture-wicking indoor heating and your skin can be stressed before your favorite vacation arrives.
In addition to the effects of cool temperatures and fresh air, now is when you may see reminders of summer fun popping up on your skin, like sun spots or changes in pigmentation. How is it possible? Your skin produces more of its natural color (melanin) to protect itself from harmful UV rays – meaning long days in the sun can lead to discoloration.
In addition, harsh summer weather can lead to a accumulation of old skin cellsit dulls your natural glow and requires exfoliation. Don’t worry. You can smooth things out with a few changes to your fall skincare routine.
How can I update my skincare routine for fall?
Autumn marks the time to focus on two things: dealing with the effects of the summer sun and hydrating. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Step 1: Use a whitening cleanser
Between the back-to-school frenzy and a full social calendar, there’s no time to waste. That’s why fall skincare formulas need to be multi-taskers. Start targeting discoloration from step one with a gentle cleanser rich in antioxidants and skin-brightening ingredients.
AM & PM: An oil cleanser is the perfect product for a powerful cleanse that doesn’t strip the skin, while keeping it feeling comfortable and hydrated. All the better if it includes sage extract to even out skin tone and boost radiance. Our recommendation: Basic Cleaning
Expert advice: Even on the quickest mornings or evenings, skip the hot water when cleaning. Water that is too hot can aggravate and redden your skin (exactly what you No needed now).
Step 2: Apply a refreshing eye contour cream
The skin around your eyes is among the thinnest on your face. So, he can use a little extra love during this transition period. Look for hydrating, rejuvenating eye creams to look your best.
A.M: Early wake-up calls can get to your skin. The good news? Vitamin K oxide helps reduce the appearance of dark circles. Our recommendation: K-Ox Eyes
PM: Help the skin around your eyes start anew every day. Eye cream formulas with antioxidant melatonin can help fight oxidative stress caused by everyday skin aggressors. Our recommendation: Vital eyes
Expert advice: Warm autumn evenings are the perfect setting for a little extra pampering. Explore an add-on to your eye care routine: try a cooling gel mask, under-eye pads or a cooling ice pack.
Step 3: Add an option that perfects the pigment
Gentle reminders of summers spent by the sea, blackheads can be celebrated as part of your skin history. But if you want to soften their appearance, turn to serums and gels to offer tone-correcting ingredients in a minimalist texture. Applying them to clean, dry skin means the active ingredients can sink into the skin and target discoloration immediately.
AM & PM: Choose a tranexamic acid and niacinamide serum morning and night. These two powerful ingredients help restore and even skin tone. How; Niacinamide fights discoloration on the surface of the skin. When combined with tranexamic acid, an amino acid that specifically targets sunspots, the pigment-correcting effect is even more powerful. Our recommendation: Melaclear Advanced
Optional PM step: Replace your night serum with an exfoliator every now and then to renew skin texture and tone. Chemical exfoliants can penetrate the skin deeper than natural exfoliants like scrubs. Look for a formula that contains glycolic acid. Our recommendation: Glycoidin
Step 4: Find a refreshing moisturizer
Remember what we said about layering? Moisturizers are the protective outer layer your skin needs right now. They can help seal in the moisture that crisp temperatures seek to steal. This step is crucial to maintaining optimal skin hydration throughout the day.
A.M: Caramel apples, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce — things are pretty sweet this time of year. But did you know that sugar is a key factor in the skin aging process? Excess sugars in our body can lead to sagging skin through a process called glycosylation. Turn to a moisturizer with carnosine, a powerful ingredient that helps fight glycosylation and boosts firmness. Our recommendation: Age outline
PM: Add antioxidants. Night creams including antioxidants (such as melatonin) can help repair the day’s damage and minimize any visible signs of aging. Our recommendation: Age Contour Night
Expert tip: Oily, combination or youthful skin can do best with a light moisturizer, even when the air turns chilly. Consider your skin type when choosing a moisturizer this season.
Step 5: Don’t forget the sunscreen
Whatever the season, whatever the weather, sunscreen is essential. Especially since cool, cloudy days can mislead the amount of UV radiation actually reaching your skin. The sun’s UVA rays can pass through the windows of your car, office or home — and these rays are responsible for many of the visible signs of skin aging. So remember that it’s important to protect yourself with sunscreen every day, all year round.
A.M: As the last step in your skincare routine or the first step in your makeup routine, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (meaning the formula protects against both UVA and UVB rays). And if you’re working to minimize discoloration, choose a tinted formula that offers natural coverage in the meantime. Our recommendation: Ageless fragrances
Expert advice: Sunscreen doesn’t just protect your skin right now—it can also help keep sunspots off the guest list for next year’s Thanksgiving dinner. Keep your sunscreen with you during the day and reapply at least every two hours to stay preventative.
A few more fall self-care tips
AM: Give your hair a boost. Now is the season when your hair works harder to renew itself and naturally falls more. Why is this? Summer subjects your hair to more stressors like the sun, the pool and the beach – weakening the growth follicles and breaking the strands. You can help keep your hair healthy this fall adding a targeted supplement to your diet. Our recommendation: Lambdapil Hair Density Capsules
AM & PM: Show your feet and legs some TLC. After a few months of salty swimming and barefoot walking, you may notice that the skin on your feet and legs has started to peel and crack. Plus, as the weather gets colder, your skin (from head to toe) naturally dries out. Remember to show your feet and legs some love with a daily moisturizing routine. Our recommendation: Complete Body Hydration Duo
And above all, love your skin, take care of it and protect it, always.
Amy is a content strategist who turned a part-time skincare obsession into a full-time passion. Her experience as a creative storyteller includes a range of lifestyle and technology topics in Washington DC and Barcelona. What’s in her travel bag? Eye contour cream and sunscreen, always.
