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Just when you think you’ve nailed your summer skincare routine, the fall season arrives and it’s time to change up your skincare routine yet again.
While the cooler weather may be a welcome respite for many of us after the hotter summer months, the cooler weather also brings about a number of unwelcome effects. The drop in temperature and humidity, mixed with the dry heat of our radiators can cause a number of skin issues (e.g., dry, itchy skin, eczema flare-ups, etc.).
Luckily, there are a few, easy things you can do take care of your skin this fall. Learn how to transition your skincare routine from summer to fall with these 7 tips.
7 Ways to Transition Your Skincare Routine from Summer to Fall
1. Use a gentle cleanser. While the summer months call for a heavy duty cleanser that removes both sweat and dirt, the fall season requires a gentler approach to skincare. The last thing your skin needs when the air is dry and cold is to have its moisture further stripped away. Look for washes with moisturizing, gentle ingredients that both cleanse your skin while leaving it hydrated. My go-to for fall is CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser
2. Layer on a heavier moisturizer. As great as your go-to lightweight moisturizer may have been this summer, cooler weather calls for more hydration. After cleansing, be sure to slather on a thicker moisturizer that provides hours worth of hydration. My favorite is CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream
. This cream helps to replenish your skin’s natural moisture (but doesn’t clog pores!), and leaves your face feeling oh-so-soft.
3. Slather on the lotion after showering. The cooler weather also brings a drop in humidity, reducing the amount of moisture in the air and making it easier for your skin to dry out. For those of us with sensitive skin (raises hand slowly), this usually means that our skin is not only dry, but also itchy. Prevent dry, itchy skin by moisturizing from head to toe. This will lock in your skin’s moisture and keep your skin healthy and hydrated. For the best results, apply lotion immediately after showering.
4. Use your humidifier. Colder temperatures require indoor heating, which only further dries up whatever little moisture there is left in the air. Boost the moisture in your home by investing in a humidifier. This will help to keep your skin hydrated throughout the coldest, driest months.
5. Exfoliate less. As tempting as it may be to continue to use your exfoliating skincare products from the summer, try cutting back on drying skincare products. Your skin will naturally be drier and less oily in the cooler months, leading to less buildup in your pores. But adding in drying products (e.g., exfoliating scrubs, glycolic treatments, etc.) will only exacerbate your skin. Use drying products like these sparingly, and when you do, be sure to always follow up with moisturizer.
6. Don’t nix the sunscreen. Just because you’re no longer at the beach doesn’t mean you should skip the sunscreen. Be sure to include sunscreen as part of your skincare routine every day.
7. Drink up. We all know how crucial it is to stay hydrated during the hotter months of the year, but it’s just as important to do the same in the winter. Drinking plenty of fluids not only helps your body to stay healthy and fend off illness, but it also helps your skin to remain hydrated from the inside out. Can’t stomach ice cold water on those chilly days? Turn to hot teas, and even hot water to stay hydrated.
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