How to Transition Your Skin Care From Summer to Fall

What hasn’t been said already about the beauty of fall? It’s universally adored for the ways it transforms the world around us; as the temperature drops, leaves change from bright emerald to pumpkin orange. There’s a different smell in the air, one that’s crisp and cool.

But if your skin care routine doesn’t adapt to the next season, then your face may be feeling dry, itchy, and tight. In combination with the colder weather, your skin is dried out by the drop in humidity and the heat from furnaces.

We’ve put together some tips to help your skin endure the change in climate:

Purchase an ultra-hydrating moisturizer

The dryness of this season will require you to step-up your moisturizing game. This product acts as a barrier between your skin and the windy outside air. Try the Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix; it’s a breathable, hydrating topical that delivers oxygen to the skin. This product contains sodium hyaluronate, or hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that increases the skin’s moisture. It won’t irritate those with sensitivities since it’s both fragrance and paraben-free. 

Use a gentler cleanser

That harsh, oil-stripping cleanser worked wonders for you when it was sweltering outside, and you were sweating every day. But now? It removes the moisture that your skin needs to endure the cooler weather. Cleansing is still an essential step in your routine to purge impurities from your face. This fall, look for one with less harsh ingredients (drop anything with the word “acid” in it). Try a cleansing balm instead of a harsh toner to clean your skin without stripping away moisture.

Don’t forget the sunscreen

Here’s one skin care staple that remains the same all year round: sunscreen. Even when you can’t feel the heat from the sun, it still impacts your skin. Don’t leave the house unprotected from UV rays.

Apply a face mask

Try to pamper your skin once a week with an ultra-hydrating sheet mask. These masks are soaked with serums and ingredients that will make your skin look plump and glowing. A face mask might be the extra boost that your skin needs to get through the chills of autumn.  

Keep exfoliating, but less often

During the fall, your skin may be dryer than usual, and you want to remove those unsightly flakes. Scrubbing your skin can remove dead, dry skin, and make your face glow. But using exfoliators can dry your skin out too much when you overdo it. If you find that products are drying out your skin, you can try a targeted treatment instead. The owner of Simply Radiant writes, “Skin resurfacing treatments stimulate your body’s natural repair processes by making micro damages to targeted areas. This promotes the growth of new skin cells and results in a smoother texture.” 

Reintroduce retinol

Retinol helps reduce the look of wrinkles, smooths skin, and improves acne. This skin care ingredient poses challenges for users in the summertime; it makes your skin especially sensitive to the sun. Now that fall is here, it’s possible to start using this product again if you have especially sensitive skin. Just be sure to apply SPF whenever you go outside.

Use a humidifier

Dry air can result in unpleasant symptoms like nosebleeds, asthma, and dehydration. In the fall, humidity is lower both outside your home and in it. The colder temperatures remove moisture from the air, and so does the furnace that keeps you warm inside. Your skin will suffer from a lack of moisture - try a humidifier to give it the extra boost it needs. Not only will your skin feel more supple, but you’ll also enjoy improved respiratory health and less sinus irritation. Aim to keep your home between 30-50% humidity - too much can encourage mold growth. 

Load up on lip balm

A telltale sign that winter is coming is cracked, peeling lips. Licking them might provide temporary relief, but it will only dry them out further. You’ll need a heavy-duty lip balm to save your lips from the chill in the air. Thin, flavored gloss won’t cut it - depending on the climate in your area, you might need a balm as thick as Vaseline. 

Switch up your makeup routine

Foundations that might have looked great while you baked under the summer soon can look cakey and flaky during the drier seasons. Treat your skin with something more breathable, like the Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation. This product will both protect and heal your skin due to its aloe-based gel and patented Ceravitae®, increasing oxygen to your cells. 

Drink more water

Each step of your fall skin care routine centers around one thing: increasing moisture. The least expensive and most accessible way to do that is to simply drink more water. Increasing your fluid intake will improve the hydration of your skin. 

Use a face serum or oil

Even with a heavy-duty moisturizer, you may still find that your skin is flaking. In this case, you need to take the extra step and purchase a serum or oil that will deeply moisturize your skin. If you have an acne-prone complexion, then skip this step - the oil may clog your pores and cause a breakout. If your skin type is combination or dry, then you can benefit from a seriously hydrating serum. Apply it at nighttime so that while you sleep, the ingredients are fully absorbed into the skin.

Avoid hot showers

When you get home on a chilly day, the first thing you want to do is hop into the shower and crank the heat to full blast. Unfortunately, scalding water can dry out your skin and remove the oils that put a barrier between it and the winds of autumn. Although warm water feels great on sore muscles, turn down the temperature of your shower as much as you can stand. 

If you’re a creature of habit, then you might search for a product that works for you and never turn back. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has her own agenda, and the moisturizer that you loved in the summer, you might loathe come fall. Just as you add layers to your outfits when it’s colder outside, you also need to add a few layers to your skin. Making these changes to your skin care routine will save your face from dry, flaky skin. 

Written by: Catherine Holland is the Content Coordinator at Simply Radiant - a laser care clinic that specializes in laser aesthetic treatments such as hair removal and conditions such as acne. Catherine is keenly interested in writing about alternative medicine, skincare, and health-related topics.