Between swapping out our open-toed sandals for our favourite pair of cute booties, to trading in our short sleeve shirts for cosy sweaters and stylish jackets, it’s time we start preparing ourselves for Autumn. And while switching up our wardrobe is a great way to transition into the new season, it’s not the only adjustment that needs to be made during this time.
To ensure you’re well-equipped for the transitioning of environmental conditions associated with the autumn season, it’s important to reevaluate your skincare regimen and the products you most regularly use.
Environmental conditions & the skin
As we experience a drop in temperature and humidity levels during the autumn season, it’s not uncommon for our skin to undergo changes as well. At times, it may seem as though your skin is more vulnerable as it adapts to the changing environment. Differences in texture, tightness, inflammation, and redness are just a couple of the ways your skin may be affected in response to transitioning environmental conditions.
Luckily, these skincare concerns can be prevented with a little extra TLC! Even the smallest adjustments in your daily skincare routine can make the biggest difference when it comes to maintaining a healthy complexion throughout the seasons. Although the adjustments you make will be dependent on your skin type, unique concerns, and the season you’re transitioning into, there are still a few things you can do to perfect your seasonal skincare.
Starting with autumn, here are three common ways to revive your skincare regimen this season:
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Retinoid treatments for sun-damaged skin
For those of you who love to sunbathe— whether that be indoors or outdoors— or tend to forget the sunscreen more often than not, this one is for you! We are talking to the Hims as well as the Hers here! When you spend ample time under the sun and leave your skin unprotected, your complexion becomes exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation which penetrates your skin and damages the skin’s cellular DNA. In turn, this can lead to worsening skin conditions, developmental signs of premature ageing, and other serious health issues like skin cancer.
Needless to say, post-sun skincare is a must for the autumn season! Even if your sun-kissed glow has already faded, your skin is still in jeopardy of experiencing the repercussions that come from excess sun exposure.
That’s why treating your sun-damaged skin is so crucial! Specific treatment products will work to target specific issues, but generally speaking, using topical retinoid skincare products are almost always effective for treating sun-damaged skin, regardless of the post-sun skincare concern, you may be experiencing.
Retinoids, or the umbrella term for retinol, is an active ingredient that works to boost skin cell turnover and eliminate dull skin cells. This makes it easier for your skin to recover from any sun damage it’s endured from the summer and therefore, adjust more quickly to the autumn season. However, certain retinoid skin care products can be too harsh for some skin types, especially when you’re first starting out, so make sure to consult with a dermatologist first before adding this treatment to your seasonal skincare regimen.
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Switch to a gentler skincare cleanser
In the summertime, you may find that your complexion tends to be more oily than normal as the hotter temperatures and high humidity levels typically lead to more bodily oil production, also known as sebum. This seasonal skincare concern may help to explain why we experience more clogged pores and breakouts during this time. Whatever the reason may be, the extra oil usually causes the majority of us to resort to a harsher cleanser designed to alleviate unwanted shine and prevent bacteria building from occurring.
Sure, this solution may prove to be beneficial for your skin throughout the summer months, but once you transition into autumn and winter, a harsh skincare cleanser will probably not be the most suitable product for your complexion.
Due to the environmental conditions that take place during autumn and winter, our skin normally requires delicate care as it’s fragile to the freezing temperatures and dry air. So by using a harsh skincare cleanser, your skin is more likely to react negatively, leading to concerns such as dryness, inflammation, redness, and/or irritation.
For this reason, you’ll want to refrain from using a skincare cleanser that could potentially strip your skin of its natural oils. Instead, consider investing in a gentle skincare cleanser that serves to rid your skin of any dirt, bacteria, or other impurities, while also supporting your pH levels and the moisture barrier of your skin.
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Moisturise to restore your skin
Similar to the reasoning you should switch to a gentler skincare cleanser, incorporating a moisturiser in your AM/PM daily skincare routine is essential for keeping your skin looking and feeling its best throughout autumn. Plus, by switching to a thicker moisturiser now, it’ll be effortless to prep and prime your skin for the winter season, when the issue of dry skin is even more prevalent.
“We need to compensate for the change by adding more moisture to the skin and helping to retain it,” tells Julia Tzu, MD, double board-certified dermatologist, and the founder and medical director of Wall Street Dermatology in New York City during an interview with Real Simple.
No matter what type of skin you have, this step in your regime is necessary for preserving your youthful-looking glow and maintaining the texture of your skin. After all, you can’t hide a dry patch with makeup!
Still, the moisturiser will vary based on your skin type. Those of you with oilier or acne-prone skin won’t need a heavier cream like those with a drier, more sensitive skin type. Be sure to analyze the characteristics of your skin before slathering the lotion all over your skin as sometimes this can do more harm than good.
