10 ways to tweak your routine for fall.

Aug 21

One word: layers. As temperatures plummet, humidity levels do too, and our skin loses moisture to the dry air around us. The rule of thumb when applying skincare is to apply the lightest first and the heaviest last. Layering water binding ingredients like a hydrating toner, serum, moisturizer, and an occlusive (if needed) can go a long way in maintaining moisture levels and protecting skin from winter inflammation.

Sad but true… Avoid long, hot showers and baths… (my favorite !) As winter temps roll in, skin typically becomes drier, causing it to become red, cracked and itchy. This is especially important for easily inflamed conditions like acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, and eczema. A practical trick for you: try warm water, limit showers to under 5 minutes, and turn the dial down when you rinse your face. Bonus points for a cold, inflammatory blast at the end, if you’re brave!
This one’s for my acne-prone peeps… While you might hear the suggestion to up your moisturizer to something heavy, I suggest taking this suggestion with a grain of salt. I’d rather an acne prone person apply a lighter cream 2-4x throughout the day if needed, rather than 1 thick slab of cream that could congest your skin.
Don’t forget the lips. The skin on your lips is different from the rest of your body because it is thinner and more delicate. Skin on your face can be up to 16 cell layers thick while the skin on your lips is only 3 to 5 layers thick. That’s not much of a shield of armor! Always wear a lip SPF during the day, and don’t forget to repair + protect at night. Try layering a lip serum and balm to fight signs of damage, plump and nourish this delicate area.
Protect your neck (and arms and hands!) As the weather becomes colder, long sleeves, scarves, and gloves can help protect your skin from drying elements. Summer might be over, but UVA (the aging rays) don’t discriminate. SPF clothing can come in handy, since it blocks damaging UV rays and protects your skin. Generally, polyester, nylon, wool, silk, and denim provide the most UV blockage, and darker-colored fabrics absorb more UV rays than lighter colors.
Snag yourself a cream cleanser. You already know the one! A common misconception we esties hear all the time is… I don’t cleanse in the morning because my skin feels dry! But— cleansing in the morning with a lipid-based cleanser can actually help by removing microscopic dead skin cells we shed during the night, allowing fresh, baby soft skin to come through. Plus, you’re treating your skin with hydrating and soothing ingredients in the process, as opposed to water alone, which just pulls moisture out.
Anticipate that stress can come with the holiday season, and pack on the self care! This time of the year, stress can be at an all time high. Don’t forget to spoil yourself just as much as you spoil those around you. We’re talking daily meditations, stretching, skincare routines, early bed times… Stress is the #1 aggravator for many skin conditions like acne… So, take what you need.
Take a morning walk. Our hormones can be most impacted in October due to the changing day lengths. A little bit of (protected) sun exposure can go a looong way!
Dry skin still needs exfoliation! One of the best fall skincare tips I can give is to maintain your exfoliating routine at a level you can tolerate. This will remove dry skin cells, unclog trapped pores, and keep skin clear. It may be necessary to supplement with extra hydrating ingredients, or a slightly heavier moisturizer to support your skin while it is producing less oil.
Mind delicate areas. What I often hear from clients during the seasonal change, is that delicate areas (like the corners of the nose, lower face, and lips) can be prone to dryness and flaking. One product everyone needs on deck for the colder months is an occlusive balm. If prone to irritation or flaking from your retinoid or acid, try this old cosmotology school peel hack: prep the skin with your occlusive first by spreading a thin layer on sensitive areas. This creates a barrier for the more delicate skin, while allowing you to treat the rest simultaneously.