Fall is my favorite time of year! The smell of leaves, preparing for Thanksgiving, getting sweaters out of storage and those warm sunny days followed by cool nights – Amazing! It’s also a time to forget consider changes to your current skin regime. The cooler weather actually changes your skin in the Autumn months. Skin can become dry, flakey, irritated, dull and your skin tone can become sallow. Here are our top 5 tips to keep your skin radiant and nourished this Fall.
1. Moisturize – Everything!
FACE If you tend to have dry skin, say goodbye to the lightweight, oil-free moisturizer and move to a thicker formulation for the Fall. If you’re interested in trying any of our recommended moisturizers, but aren’t sure which one would work best for your skin, there are several key categories of ingredients that you should look for. These ingredients work to moisturize your skin effectively and prevent further damage. Many products will list these ingredients on their label, or in their online product description. While it’s not necessary to look for a product that contains all these ingredients, it’s important to understand what each one does and how it can help your skin.
The ingredients we recommend you look for in a moisturizer include:
Ceramides – Make up 50% of the skin barrier. Ceramides are lipids that help form the skin’s barrier and help skin retain moisture. They also help the skin protect against environmental aggressors like irritants, and pollution.
Humectant – Humectants are ingredients found in lotions and cleansers that hydrate the skin by attracting water molecules like a magnet. The chemical bonding in Humectant helps moisturize the skin by drawing water from the lower cell layers. Read more from Very Well – Humectant.
Occlusives – Help prevent skin water loss by forming a protective film over the epidermis. They are mostly oil-based, leaving a waxy or greasy feel on skin, which can clog pores and cause acne, so be careful with overuse.
Hyaluronic Acid – is a substance that naturally resides in the human body. It’s found in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. People apply hyaluronic acid to the skin for healing wounds, burns, skin ulcers, and as a moisturizer. More on Hyaluronic acid from WebMD.
LIPS Good old Aquaphor, Chap Stick and Burt’s Bees seem to continuously show up on top 10 lists. Some times simple and effective is best. Health.com shares their list.
EYE AREA The skin around the eyes is thin and fragile. Chose a hydrating eye cream and incorporate it into your skincare routine. Once you find something that works for you this should be part of your skin regime year round. If your still trying to find the best hydrating eye cream read more about Byrdie’s recommendations.
BODY If you have a skin cream you enjoy keep using it. If you get super dry or scaly skin switch to something with more oils. If you have sensitive skin huffpost outlines some of the dermatologist recommended creams.
2. Add a Facial Oil to the Mix
Facial oils are often left out of the average persons skin regime. Why do you need facial oils? As we age or as skin gets damaged our skin stops producing its own healthy oils so it’s important to replace them. Replacing them nourishes, plumps and rejuvenates skin.
Before we go further, let’s confirm the difference between facial serums and oils. Facial serums are used to target specific skin concerns, whereas oils are primarily intended to moisturize. You should use facial oils before you moisturize as the cream you use to moisturize will seal in the essential oils. There is a science to oils and their benefits. Since each type of oil has different benefits to your skin it’s important to take the time to find the perfect combination of ingredients for your need.
An example of this would be REWIND Toning Oil. A natural remedy for reducing the appearance of fine lines & aging, REWIND helps skin maintain elasticity & moisture, while preventing future signs of aging with protective antioxidants. Artisan, seasonal beauty is more than just hype: it’s the purest form of skincare available. REWIND is 100% organic and you’ll notice this as soon as you open the bottle. You will catch a whiff of sage, flowers & maybe even cookies–that’s honeysuckle and lavender; no artificial anything here.
All of the oils have a purpose. Honeysuckle, extracted in organic squalane and jojoba oils, offers gentle chemical exfoliation via natural BHA salicylic acid, while gently assuaging inflammation through the same naturally occurring acid. Thanks to squalane, anti-oxidant flavanoids and saponins penetrate deep into the skin, for powerful anti-aging properties. Organic pomegranate seed oil offers additional skin-brightening properties through it’s high vitamin C content. If you want to try REWIND we can offer 20% off – just apply NEWBIE as a promotion Code.
Tip: You can always mix oils in with your moisturizer – this will give you an extra glow. If you are still searching for the best body oil check out Glamours recommendations.
3. Minimize Exfoliation and Retinoid Use
With the colder temperatures, wind and hot showers your skin may become more sensitive. Exfoliating your skin is a great way to remove dead skin cells and reveal your fresh, glowing skin underneath that top layer but you can overdo it. Given the change of seasons; you really need to monitor your exfoliation. You’ll know if your over exfoliating if you notice your skin is more irritated, red or inflamed. If your experiencing these symptoms check out Healthlines recommendations.
Retinoid creams can help with your overall complexion as well as fine lines. The downside is that they can be overused and lead to dry or damaged skin. It’s recommended that you pull back on Retinoid creams in the Fall and Winter and alternate use with serums or creams that help minimize any excessive drying.
For more tips on what retinoids are and the best way to use them check out the Byrdie retinol-guide.
4. Keep Using Sunscreen
While the chances or getting sunburned go down (UVB rays) in the Fall the UVA rays that cause wrinkles, premature aging and damage are just as strong as they are in the summer. If you plan on playing in the snow, the reflective properties can really do a number on your skin.
5. Get a Humidifier
Reduce dry and cracked skin by adding a humidifier to your home. Humidifiers add moisture to the air so it will help to hydrate and moisture your skin. More on the benefits of a humidifier from Allure.
