The changing seasons can have a dramatic effect on your skin.  To keep your skin looking its best, you should change your skincare routine with the seasons.  As the weather goes from hot and humid in summer to cool and dry in the fall, some tweaks to your skincare routine can keep your skin looking healthy and radiant.

Here are some of our dermatologists-recommended tips for maximizing your skincare routine this fall.

Use Thicker Skincare Products

In the summer months, there’s more humidity in the air. This helps your skin stay moisturized and protects your skin’s natural barrier. Your skin loses moisture when the weather transitions into cooler, drier air in the fall. This is especially true once colder weather sets in and you start using heaters indoors. The loss of moisture in your skin disrupts its protective barrier. These changes lead to dryness, irritation, and increased skin sensitivity.

One of the things you can do to counteract this dehydrating effect is to use thicker skincare products. For example, choose a facial moisturizer, body lotion, and lip products that contain ingredients designed to help your skin retain moisture. It might mean you’ll have to switch from a lighter water-based gel ideal for summer to a thicker oil-based cream during the fall. Other ingredients in skincare products that can nourish your skin include hyaluronic acid, anti-oxidants, and sun protection.

Switch to a Mild Cleanser

Your skin makes less oil during the cooler fall weather. A harsh cleanser or soap can further strip away your skin’s natural oil barrier. Some thicker moisturizers and lotions used during the fall can clog your pores and cause acne breakouts. If you wash your face too frequently, it can further dry your skin. Keeping your skin clean and hydrated can become a challenge in the fall.

Consider switching to a mild cleanser as part of your fall skincare routine. Avoid cleansers that use alcohol as a main ingredient as alcohol can dry out your skin. If you feel any cleanser is causing worsening of your acne, try another brand.

Reduce Exfoliant Use

Humid and warm temperatures during the summer provide increased oil to the skin. So, it is common to use specific skincare products like exfoliants to decrease the level of oil on the skin. However, this increase in oil within the skin declines during the fall and winter months.

Consider switching to a gentler exfoliant when fall comes around. Also, try limiting the number of exfoliant products you use and how frequently you use them. As part of your fall skincare routine, pick products that not only exfoliate but also boost hydration. Look for ingredients like lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can gently exfoliate your skin without dehydrating the skin.

Also, choosing “leave-on” products rather than wash-off ones can help some individuals restore a healthy skin barrier. This can help reduce dryness and improve dullness, skin texture, and skin tone.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen

When the sun is beating down on you during the summertime, it’s easy to remember your sunscreen. But in the cooler fall weather, you can slack off. However, while UV radiation is greater in the summer months, it is present in all four seasons, including the fall and winter and on cloudy days. Exposure to UV radiation can speed up skin aging and increase your risk of skin cancer.

Dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF30 every 2 hours to protect against UVA and UVB radiation. The only difference is that you probably don’t need to reapply the sunscreen often during the fall because you sweat less. You can also go without sunscreen if you spend most of your time indoors.

Skincare hack – As part of your fall skincare routine, pick a moisturizer that contains SPF (like Revision Intellishade). This way, you can kill two birds with one stone – reduce dryness and protect your skin from the sun.

Avoid Long, Hot Showers

With the cooler temperatures rolling in, it can be tempting to crank up the water temperature in your shower or tub. But hot water can cause your skin to become dry, red, itchy, and cracked. The cool, dry weather can further worsen these symptoms and intensify skin conditions like eczema.

Avoid taking long, hot showers or soaks in the tub during the fall and winter. Instead, bathe in lukewarm water and keep your showers as short as possible. Moisturize immediately after you shower. This helps to rehydrate and soothe your skin and lock in moisture.

Just a few changes to your fall skincare routine can help your skin look its best. Be sure to consult our Skin Specialists in the Skin for Life Boutique if you have dry skin, acne, or other skin conditions. Our expert dermatology team is available to assist you in choosing skincare products that best suit your individual needs.

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