Switch Up Your Skin Care Routine From Summer To Fall

Summer is synonymous with sun-kissed skin (hopefully not the sunburn), naturally lightened hair, and pared-down skin care routine consisting of lightweight products. But as the temperatures start to dip, it’s time to swap out your summer staples for richer options. Come fall, it’s not just your wardrobe that needs updating—your skin care requires a mini makeover, too.

The skin recognizes climate changes and reacts to them to regulate its needs. Cooler, drier air generally leads to drier skin because of limited humidity, so use products that maintain moisture and protect the skin’s lipid barrier to decrease irritations. Unfortunately, dry skin isn’t the only by-product of cold weather—flakiness, breakouts, redness, and dullness often ensue, too.

Opt for Gentle Cleansers

Summer calls for gel-based or foaming cleansers that decrease oil production while encouraging cell turnover. But a summer approach to cleansing is not necessarily best for fall because the skin produces less oil during the winter, therefore it’s best to use cream-based cleansers or those with moisturizers. Nevertheless, failing to switch up your cleanser, especially if it contains salicylic or glycolic acids, can lead to unnecessary dryness.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser gently clears away dirt, excess oil, makeup and other impurities, calming stressed, irritated skin. Its lightweight, whipped texture transforms into a creamy froth when mixed with water to infuse your skin with essential antioxidants. Allantoin and aloe leaf extract combine in this gentle facial cleanser to cool inflammation and reinforce your skin's ability to resist environmental triggers.

Add in a Hydrating Serum

Using a moisturizer is one thing, but adding a serum, which contains actives that get into the skin more potently, takes your hydration game to another level. Apply serums before moisturizers since they trap moisture. Serums are available in various forms to target cell renewal, protection, and hydration, amongst other concerns. They add an extra level of hydration and boost the skin’s ability to produce collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which help improve the skin.

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

This smoothing blend of ingredients provides deep, long-lasting hydration on three levels: on the surface, deeper in the skin and by increasing the skin’s own hyaluronic acid production.

Switch to a Thicker Moisturizer

The dog days of summer are the perfect time to trade rich, heavy moisturizers for lightweight formulas. Thicker products lock in moisture, and because the summer air is humid, a heavy moisturizer is not always necessary. However, there are exceptions to the rule, very dehydrated skin that requires intense moisture year-round and oily or acne-prone skin, which is most compatible with a weightless moisturizer.

For the rest of us, alternate summer moisturizers for ones with ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, all of which restore the lipid barrier and hydrate skin. Also, apply your moisturizer to damp skin before the water has a chance to escape.

Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream

Banish dryness and restore the skin's resilience with Sunday Riley's ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream. Its rich texture and lightweight feel provide the skin with a much-needed dose of lasting hydration while a ceramide-enriched formula strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier helping fight off environmental stressors that lead to the early signs of aging.

Work in Retinol

Retinol is the anti-aging gold standard, but because it can cause photosensitivity and lead to inflammation and redness, the rule of thumb is to cut down on it during the summer. But, come fall, it’s a whole other story. The vitamin-A-derived ingredient works wonders to assist in exfoliation and sun-induced discoloration and brown spots. Use retinol at night and top it off with a good peptide-rich moisturizer.

Obagi Medical Retinol 1.0

Obagi's Retinol 1.0 fights the signs of premature aging caused by environmental aggressors to promote a more radiant and youthful-looking complexion. Powered by 1% retinol, this anti-wrinkle treatment boosts cell turnover to minimize fine lines and wrinkles while diminishing hyperpigmentation. Hydrating jojoba oil and shea butter promote firmness and elasticity, as vitamins C and E work synergistically to neutralize free radicals.

Don’t Swear off SPF—Ever

Even if you’re not spending the afternoon lounging poolside, sunscreen needs to be part of your daily routine. Sun damage can occur any day, any time, and anywhere. In overcast weather, UV rays penetrate the skin, increasing your risk of skin cancer and accelerating aging. Adding that mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are critical for blocking UVA and UVB rays. I also love the Colorscience Sunscreens Brand.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 by EltaMD provides protection to your complexion to shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Fragrance-free, this face sunscreen's smooth formula includes sodium hyaluronate to moisturize while lactic acid refines the skin to clear pores and reduce shine.

Amp up Your Body Lotion

Humid air has a greater water content, so the water in the skin does not evaporate as much. So while it’s easier to get away with not regularly using body lotion during the summer, that’s not the case come fall. The air is drier, so the natural water that your skin holds tends to be lost. Plus, dry skin can become itchy and irritated.

Steer clear of lotions with drying and irritating ingredients, like fragrances. Also, invest in a good humidifier to keep the air around you as moist as possible—your skin will thank you.

Bioderma Atoderm Cream

Bioderma Atoderm Cream nourishes dry and sensitive skin, so you can embrace the silky texture you love. Crafted with ultra-moisturizing agents, this body lotion leaves you with noticeably soft and supple skin.

Don’t Pass Over Lip Balm

It’s not just the skin that gets dry during the colder months. The lips do, too, and they can chap, flake, and crack. To prevent a dry pucker, swipe on a layer of an occlusive balm that contains petrolatum, glycerin, beeswax, or oils to lock in moisture. Lip masks are also an option. The lips can experience sun damage, why is why it is important to use a lip sunscreen to help with pigmentation and aging.

Jane iredale LipDrink Lip Balm

Jane iredale LipDrink® Lip Balm supplies the soothing relief and hydration of a balm.

A blend of waxes and oils creates the silky consistency that leaves your lips supple, soft and perfectly hydrated. Titanium dioxide provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, while antioxidant powerhouses green tea extract and vitamins C and E shield your pout from environmental irritants. This lip balm is formulated with reef-safe sunscreen to protect you and the environment.