Fall Skin Care

September marks the beginning of the Autumn (or Fall) season. Days gradually become shorter, weather begins to cool down, and everyone is slowly immersed back into full work mode. Like any sudden change, the change of season can bring new challenges to your skin. You want to help your skin along as it begins to acclimate to new temperatures and conditions. Rather than waiting for the thick of cold and winter before you adapt your skincare regimen, you can gradually ease into Fall skin care. There are a few tweaks you can make to ensure you have a seamless transition into your Fall skin care plan of action.

1. Change your cleanser

Summer days are hot, humid and oftentimes rather sweaty. You may have required a more clarifying cleanser during the Summer to ensure you rid your pores of all the day’s gunk, pool chlorine, sea salt and sweat. You will want to opt for a gentler, soothing cleanser that will not strip your skin as part of your Fall skin care. During colder months I gravitate towards more hydrating cream cleansers. Although these do not foam and it takes a while to get used to, they still do a good job of removing the last traces of makeup too.

Non-stripping Cleansers to Try

 

2. Amp Up the Acids

No matter how diligent you are with your sunscreen application, you may have still accumulated a few dark marks along with your Summer tan. Many people find that the increased sun exposure over the Summer months can elicit the resurfacing of patches of hyperpigmentation. As the light intensity dies down, it is safe to begin reintroducing a number of chemical exfoliants and acid peels back into your Fall skin care routine.

Typically, ingredients such as acid exfoliants increase skin’s susceptibility to sun damage. I therefore would not recommend the overuse of such ingredients during Summer when UV exposure is at an all-time high. I have written an entire article as to why excess UV exposure is harmful, so head there for the full explanation. However, as the days are beginning to get darker sooner and it begins to cool down, you can start bumping up your use of such active ingredients again.

Benefits of Acid Exfoliants

As you would have gathered from my previous post about salicylic acid (which you should read if you have not yet done so!), acid exfoliants help to slough away dead skin cells. They loosen the ‘glue’ between cells so to speak and whisk away the unwanted dead skin. This reveals, fresher, brighter skin beneath. If you have been struggling with worse pigmentation than usual over the Summer period, the exfoliating action of these ingredients will really help to diminish the look of uneven skin.

There are a number of excellent chemical exfoliants on the market that use AHAs, BHAs and even PHAs for exfoliation rather than manual abrasion. Products like this Glycolic Serum contain 12% concentration of both AHAs and BHAs for a smoother complexion. It is not drying or dehydrating and is one of the best daily exfoliant treatments I have tried. This Korean beauty mist contain PHAs, which is a very gentle acid for days your skin might not feel like using a higher percentage of AHAs or BHAs.

Glossier solution also contains PHA’s alongside AHAs and BHAs so you get an all-round, smoothing exfoliation. If you have never ordered from Glossier before, last time I placed an order I was given a link for friends to get 10% off your first purchase. Feel free to use my link for Glossier if you are thinking about purchasing something and would like to save some money off your first order. It’s just a referral link for friends but I think we’re friends by now. If you’re not interested in that, you can just go straight to the Glossier exfoliant here.

Acid Exfoliants to Try

 

3. Oils Are Friends Not Foes

If you are not a fan of oils during the Summer months because they feel too heavy on hot Summer days, Autumn is a great excuse to whip out your oils again. Facial oils provide so many great benefits to skin. They provide essential fatty acids, nutrients and vitamins as well as the hydration that skin needs.

Depending on your preferences you may wish to opt for an oil blend or a single ingredient oil. You can apply them as the last step in your Fall skin care routine. Or simply use them to replace your regular moisturiser, if your skin does not need the excess moisture. If your skin is particularly dry, try layering your oil over the top of your usual moisturiser as a seal or barrier. This acts as an occlusive to lock in the products below and prevent moisture being pulled from your skin.

If you have acne prone skin and are still apprehensive about using oils, check out my blog post about Rosehip Oil. It is not greasy and does not cause breakouts. It would also be a great choice for those of you who have been experiencing heightened signs of skin discolourations and hyperpigmentation over the Summer.

Facial Oils to Try

4. Reach for the Retinol 

We all know retinol is a game changer when it comes to skin. However, if you are a retinol user you may be aware of the increased sensitivity it causes, particularly during Summer. The increased Sun exposure can lead to an uncomfortable feeling, akin to sunburn. For this reason, after years of Summertime retinol use without adequate sunscreen protection, I have decided to pare down my use of retinoids to the bare minimum over Summer.

There is added cloud cover and decreased light intensity as we transition into Autumn. This means it is finally safe to introduce all the retinols back into your regular Fall skin care routine. You will find certain types of retinol will suit you better.You may want to tailor your type of retinol and dosage. It will depend on your typical usage, usual frequency of use and your prior experience with retinol.

But be careful

There have been times where I have cut out retinols from my routine. After months of no use I would suddenly slap on a fistful of 1% retinol 3 days in a row, thinking my skin could handle it. Suffice to say, this did not go well for me and my face all but fell off. So, let me tell you from personal experience, find the type of retinoid that works with your skin and work to find your perfect dose. Start small then work your way up.

I know that it is tempting to reach for the highest dosage because we want results quickly. But these things take time. It is better to get your skin adjusted first than risk the adverse side effects. Even if you have prior experience with retinol and have taken a break, you may still want to start with just a few times a week. Then slowly increase frequency.

Retinols to Try

 

If you find your skin just cannot cope with retinol use, read my previous article about the best retinol-like botanical extract. It is essentially nature’s answer to retinol, without the irritation. I suggest a number of products in that post too. It may be an ingredient you want to add to your Fall skin care repertoire.

5. Body Lotion

During Summer, the increase in humidity makes it easy to be able to skip on body moisturiser. Unfortunately, Autumn is not so kind. It is best to get into the habit of applying daily moisturiser as part of your Fall skin care. Try not to wait for the ravages of cold weather to take toll. A good body lotion will seal in moisture and prevent the dry, itchy feeling of parched skin on the body. Apply it to skin as soon as you get out of the shower to prevent moisture from evaporating too quickly.

A body oil is also a great option if you prefer the feel of oils on skin. They will not sink in as fast, but still do a great job of keeping you feeling supple and hydrated. Check out my avocado oil post to find out exactly why I love using avocado oil. I explain its use on skin, as well as multiple other uses.

Body Lotions to Try

6. Lip Love

Autumn calls for more elaborate makeup looks, bolder lip colours and fuller coverage. Now that you do not have to worry about your face sliding off, it is fun to experiment with makeup looks. If it is increasingly windy and cold you might find yourself opting for matte lipsticks. No one appreciates a gust of wind blowing in your face and getting your hair stuck in your gloss lip. However, matte lipsticks are a little drying on the lips. This means you might want to pay special attention to keeping your lips conditioned. 

Fall skin care includes lips. With decreasing humidity comes increasingly dry skin and lips. Make sure you choose a good lip balm that you can slather on during the night. This will ensure your lips are fully prepped for lipstick come morning. You can also have one on hand at all times during the day for when you feel your lipstick is getting a little too dry.

Lip Conditioners to Try

7. Scrub Away 

Summers on the beach, excess sun tanning and astringent sunscreen can lead to an accumulation of visibly dried out skin. There are a number of scrubs you can use to get rid of the dryness and reveal soft skin beneath. While I no longer scrub my face, the skin on the body is far less fragile and I do appreciate the manual abrasion.

If you are experiencing dry patches or dry lips, you can also make a simple sugar scrub with olive oil. It does the job easily and inexpensively. Plus, you can just lick off the excess. If you want to try your hand at dry body brushing for additional lymphatic drainage benefits, that is another fantastic option.

Scrubs to Try

8. Keep Calm and Sheet Mask

Although I would not go into full force with all the richest hydrating masks yet, duller days and more time inside are the perfect excuse for pamper time. I don’t usually advocate a one-off treatment like a sheet mask for lasting results. However, they can be a great pick-me-up. Hydrating masks and sheet masks can give that extra “oomph” to skin that is feeling dull and lacklustre.

If you read my top Korean Skincare Products post, you’ll know that K-beauty is all for sheet masks. There are so many on the market nowadays you are sure to find one to fit your skin concerns. And let’s be frank. On a given day in Autumn, is there anything better than curling up on the sofa with a blanket, hot beverage and face mask? I think not.

Face Masks to Try

How do you prepare your skin routine for the colder months? What are your go-to Fall skin care practices?

I hope you found this Fall skin care post informative. I hope that it helps you in cultivating happy skin as we phase into Autumn.

Please share this information with people you care about so that we can all up our Fall skin care game.

For more Skin Advice check out these posts:

9 Things You Must Consider Before You Start A New Skincare Routine

10 Essential Skin Tips For Travel and Long Haul Flights

How To Layer Skincare Products For Maximum Benefits

Summer Beauty & Wellness Stories Roundup 

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Wishing you boundless love, endless light, and life without limit

Shannon xo

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material is strictly prohibited.