Just like our wardrobes, the best skincare routines change with the seasons. Sudden shifts in weather can be shocking to skin, leaving our complexions dry and sensitive or even triggering breakouts. Adapting our skin care habits during seasonal transitions can help to restore moisture, balance, and clarity. If you’re feeling these effects and looking for ways to stay glowy, radiant, and breakout-free year round, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on for our full list of actionable healthy skin habits that work, and find your new favorite fall skincare tips for clear, flawless skin.
Opt for gentle, non-irritating cleansers. Along with ushering in shorter days and boldly coloring treescapes with red and orange leaves, the transition into fall can stir up allergens that may cause irritation to skin. Our skin may also respond to drops in temperature and humidity levels with heightened sensitivity. Be sure to go easy on your complexion by choosing a mild face wash and gentle body cleansers that won’t overdry already troubled skin, and avoid harsh chemical formulas. Instead, try selecting products with calming, balancing natural ingredients like probiotics, niacinamide, and aloe vera.
Look for ingredients that lock in moisture without clogging pores. Shifting into Autumn can also leave complexions dry and lackluster, making smart moisturizing a must. Quench parched skin with humectants– ingredients that lock in moisture– like hyaluronic acid and squalane. And, be sure to choose a non-greasy, water-based natural moisturizer for dehydrated skin that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. (If you have oily or combo skin, the same advice stands.)
Skip the hot water. Hot water can strip skin of moisture, compromise the skin’s natural protective barriers, and exacerbate existing concerns like redness. Instead, experts recommend preventing unnecessary stress by showering and washing your face with lukewarm water, around 98-105 degrees.
Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. The foundations of healthy skin are an inside job. Support healthy skin from the inside out by getting plenty of omega-3s, essential vitamins and minerals, and collagen-boosting supernutrients like citrus bioflavonoids and elderberry extract. Be sure to eat plenty of nutritious fruits and veggies, and try making a multivitamin part of your simple skincare routine, like this Clear Skin acne nutraceutical or an Anti-Aging multi to help diminish signs of aging.
Step up your hydration game. Hydrate skin from within by drinking more water and adding a moisturizing, skin-supporting supplement with hyaluronic acid to promote clear, glowing skin for a dewy complexion all year long.
Adjust your sleep schedule. Sufficient sleep is vital for skin health, and seasonal shifts can disrupt circadian rhythms. Supporting our internal clocks by waking up at the start of daylight hours, winding down as the sun sets, and supplementing with rest-promoting minerals in the evening can all help us to establish healthy sleep schedules and get deeper, more restful shuteye.
Promote skin elasticity with Collagen Peptides. Collagen supports skin’s structure and helps to slow signs of aging by reducing wrinkles and dryness. Try adding a scoop of Collagen Peptides to your daily smoothie or favorite fall soup for a complexion boost. Bonus: this skin hero also helps to promote healthy hair and nails, which often feel impacts of seasonal change, like dryness, as well.
Double cleanse. The “double cleansing” method is a two step approach to keeping skin clean and healthy, first using an oil-based product like a cleansing balm or oil to remove products and impurities, which then allows step 2– a water-based cleanser– to better penetrate the skin. A double cleanse can help to ensure makeup, debris, and oil are sufficiently removed. Start with a product made from nourishing natural oils, and follow with a soothing water-based facial cleanser that won’t irritate or overdry.
Exfoliate right. Abrasive scrubs can do more harm than good for the delicate skin barrier, and should be avoided for dry, irritated, and sensitive skin. Opt to cleanse with soothing face wash for sensitive, congested skin, and look for a gentle exfoliator with beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Dermatologists recommend following with moisturizer right away.
Apply a hydrating eye cream daily. The area around our eyes is made up of more delicate, thinner skin, which can be more fragile and prone to dryness. A hydrating daily eye cream is an essential skincare step, providing crucial moisture to help protect this vulnerable area. Apply a nourishing eye cream as part of your morning skincare routine, and again before bed.
Make a habit of year-round SPF. The days may be shorter, but the sun’s rays are just as fierce in the colder months as in the summer. Apply SPF daily to help protect skin from damage and prevent inflammation and premature aging.
Gently spot treat breakouts. If blemishes strike, ditch the harsh, drying lotions and gels and apply gentle acne spot treatment patches instead. Pro tip: look for a formula with hydrocolloid and salicylic acid, and acne-fighting duo that works together to unclog pores, soothe, and heal without causing irritation.
Bust out your humidifier. Dry conditions can lead to not only thirsty skin, but increased production of breakout-causing oils as well. In addition to your moisturizer and daily hydration, support the skin barrier and help your complexion retain moisture by boosting humidity levels in your space with humidifiers.
Whatever the new season brings, tailoring your skincare routine and embracing healthy skin habits can help you put your best face forward.
For more on supporting healthy skin from the inside out, click here to keep reading.