Grab your coziest sweater and a pumpkin spice latte. The fall season is almost upon us! But, as you switch out your wardrobe and coffee order, don’t forget to also make changes to your skincare routine. The fall season often brings cooler temperatures and a drop in humidity, which is why it’s important to take the necessary steps now to properly care for your skin.
Not sure what changes to make? We’re here to help! Check out these 5 important tips that will keep your skin glowing into the new season.
1. Opt for a heavier moisturizer with ceramides
During the summer months, many people choose to use a gel moisturizer. They’re lightweight and oil-free — perfect for the hot, humid weather. As we start nearing the fall season, though, we recommend applying a rich, heavier moisturizer with ceramides like our probiotics + murumuru hydra surge moisturizer.
New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein explains that ceramides are “essential and healthy fatty acids that occur naturally in the skin but need to be replenished during the colder months.” Ceramides are known to support and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier. If the skin is depleted of ceramides, the barrier can become damaged and lead to skin concerns like dryness and irritation.
2. Double up on hydration
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anthony Rossi said it best, “The good thing about summer is that when the air is humid, all that moisture lays on the skin and helps to create an epidermal water barrier. But when we get into the cooler and drier months, we end up not having as much moisture in our skin.” This is why layering up on hydration is a must for achieving healthy, hydrated skin during the fall season.
Think about it — you layer on your clothes as the weather gets cooler, so why not your skincare? Between harsh winds, the dry indoor heat, and even those hot, steamy showers, our skin needs an extra boost of hydration in the fall. We recommend pairing a hydrating facial serum and moisturizer together. Our hello hydration kit features our glowshot supercharged hydating serum and glowburst intense hydration boosting cream to effectively replenish the skin’s moisture.
3. Cut back on exfoliation.
While summer months often call for exfoliating two, three, or more times a week, this is typically not the case for the fall season. Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery’s board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali recommends switching to a gentler exfoliator once a week. He explains, “exfoliating cuts to the pore. In the summer you exfoliate more because your skin is more oily.”
Similarly, fall is the time to move away from harsh and abrasive scrubs. Mount Sinai Hospital’s director of cosmetic and clinical research, Joshua Zeichner, explains “[over-exfoliation can] create tiny cracks in the skin barrier that lead to more loss of hydration and inflammation.” Since hydration is vital during the fall months, select a gentle enzyme exfoliator that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils. For instance, our powderporefect powder-to-foam enzyme cleanser sloughs off dry, dead skin without any scrubbing.
4. Cleanse once a day
As we mentioned earlier, the skin tends to produce less oil during the fall months compared to the summer. This is why, depending on skin type, you may want to wash your face less often in the fall. New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marissa Garshick states that “those on the drier end of the spectrum may not need to wash their face in the morning, but someone who is more oily may need to wash morning and night.” She believes cleansing once a day, at the end of the day, is most beneficial to the skin during this time of the year.
Shop the best facial cleansers for men and women here.
5. Keep using sunscreen
As you’re transitioning into your autumn skincare routine, don’t remove the SPF! It’s extremely important for your skin that you wear sunscreen each and every day — even when it’s cold and cloudy outside. According to skincare.com, “while not always as strong, UVA and UVB rays still exist in the colder seasons and can cause skin damage. The only difference between wearing sunscreen in the fall versus the summer is how often you need to reapply.” Sun protection should be part of a year-round skincare regimen as excessive sun exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer, collagen loss, and other long-term issues.
The summer is winding down and fall is on the horizon. As we get ready to move into the new season, please keep these 5 summer-to-fall skincare tips in mind. Your skin will thank you!
