The Best Skin Care Tips for Fall (How to Transition Your Summer Routine for Colder Temps)
Ah, fall is in the air. For so many of us, the fall season brings cooler temperatures, pumpkin everything, changing leaves, and unfortunately, drier skin. If you’re anything like me, the shift from summer humidity into cooler temperatures means seasonal dry, itchy skin that just won’t quit.
This is why developing a seasonal skin-care routine is so important. Your skin reacts to changes in the environment and protecting it is key in keeping it healthy. However, in developing a seasonal skin-care routine, it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person’s skin might not work for others. In choosing the best skin-care routine for you, keep in mind where you live, your age, and any other biological factors. Of course, when in doubt, a trip to your dermatologist or local skin-care salon should be able to clear up any personalized questions you have.
Additionally, with any of the products I’ve listed below, it’s always best to choose organic products that have not been tested on animals. Or, if you want to take it a step further and reduce waste, you can always make your own products!
Having dealt with seasonally dry skin for years, I’ve put together some tips to help you ward off dry, itchy skin this fall and winter!
Switch to a Heavier Moisturizer
For a lot of people, yours truly included, colder weather means having a drier face. It seems as soon as the cold weather hits, my face becomes super dry, itchy, and unsightly flaky. So, to help combat this, every fall I switch from a light moisturizer to a heavier one that won’t clog my pores.
In searching for the best fall/winter moisturizer for you, keep in mind that not all moisturizers are created equal. Steer clear of moisturizers with sulfates, dyes, and fragrances as they can often be harsh on the skin and give you some adverse effects (check out this article for a full list of ingredients to avoid). Instead, opt for hydrating ingredients such as soy, B vitamins, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, aloe vera, and shea butter.
Revise Your Shower Routine
Did you know that long, hot showers or baths will actually remove hydrating oils from your skin? While it’s so tempting to have a hot bath during the colder winter months, try to limit your shower time to between five to ten minutes, and be sure to turn down the temperature. Hot showers can actually irritate and inflame your skin, throwing off your skin’s natural moisture balance, oils, and proteins.
If you want to take it one step further, dermatologists have noted that taking a cold shower can actually help you overcome the sensation to itch your dry skin.
Switch Up Your Soap
One of the most common causes of dryness is using a soap that strips the oils from your skin. In the fall and winter, use either a mild, natural, moisturizing soap or opt for a hydrating body wash. And whatever you do, be sure to skip any products that contain fragrance, synthetic chemicals, and sulfates.
Use Body Lotion/Cream After Every Shower
Your skin has the most moisture when it’s wet, and so if you want to lock that moisture in and avoid dry, itchy skin, then apply a body lotion or cream when it’s still damp.
Once again, always keep in mind ingredients. You’ll want to opt for a high-concentration lotion with low water content, as anything too thin will work against your dry skin. Also, look for lotions that are hormone-free and free of any added fragrances.
Use a Humidifier
Purchasing a humidifier is one of the easiest ways you can keep your skin from drying out in the fall and winter months. In the colder months, the humidity is stripped from the air, and this, coupled with the fact that you’ll likely be blasting the heat in your home, means that your skin is prone to become extra dry.
A humidifier, which is especially great to use while you sleep, will help to retain the moisture in the air and therefore your skin.
Don’t Skip the SPF
Just because we associate sunscreen with summer doesn’t mean there aren’t harmful UV rays in the fall and winter as well! Always make applying SPF to any exposed skin a priority, you’ll thank yourself later.
Use a Face Serum with Vitamin C
If you’re not using a facial serum as part of your daily skin-care regimen, then now’s the time to start! Vitamin C is naturally acidic, meaning it will rid your skin of dead cells without the effects of an exfoliate, which can be harsh on the skin during the drier months. Plus, the acidity of Vitamin C helps to boost cell regeneration, and will actually kick-start your skin in healing itself.
Additionally, serums, due to their light consistency and small particle size, are better at hydrating deeper layers of skin than surface-level moisturizers. Hydrating ingredients to look for in a serum are hyaluronic acid, glycerine, panthenol, vitamin B3, and botanical waters.
To get the best results, apply a Vitamin C serum once daily before your moisturizer and after your toner.
Protect Your Lips
If you’re anything like me, then your lips are the first part of your body to react to drier weather and can get so dry that they crack. To avoid this pain that always comes along with this, I apply lip balm multiple times daily using natural, petroleum-free products whenever I can.
Carry Hand Cream Everywhere
In the fall and winter, my hands, like my lips, especially feel the effects of dry air. So, to help avoid itchy, flaky hands, I make a point of carrying hand cream everywhere and applying it often. Like body lotion, always make sure to use a thicker hand cream with less added water for maximum hydration.
Apply an Overnight Mask
Did you know that your skin regenerates itself the most while you sleep? Working in tandem with your new humidifier, help your skin do its job by applying an overnight mask. This will help you wake up with softer, more beautifully-plump skin.
Thanks for reading! What are some of your favorite cold-weather skincare tips? We at The Wellness Project are always interested in new skin-care ideas. Let us know in the comments!
Sources:
https://www.dermstore.com/blog/top_ten/best-face-serums-for-dry-skin/
https://www.byrdie.com/humidifier-for-better-skin
https://medium.com/swlh/astonishing-benefits-of-ice-cold-showers-7cacc092c579
https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/skincare/best-moisturiser-for-dry-skin-204865
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