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Dry, flaky skin, chapped lips, irritations, and sensitivity are just a few of the many skin problems that can arise as the weather gets colder and the air gets drier. And while many of us are happy to finally say goodbye to the humidity, heat, and melting makeup summer graciously gifts us, our skin might not be so thrilled about the change.
The good news is that making a few simple adjustments to your skincare routine can help you transition into the colder months with ease. Here are the seven essential steps for transitioning your skincare routine into fall and ensuring your skin stays healthy, hydrated, and happy all season long.
1. Swap Your Summer Cleanser
The skin typically tends to get oilier in summer due to the heat and humidity, so using a foaming wash to control excess oil production is key. However, as we transition into fall and the weather gets colder and drier, it’s important to adjust your cleanser accordingly.
Although great for summer, foaming washes can be rather drying to the skin as the environment changes and the temperatures start to drop, which is why you should consider swapping to a creamier, more hydrating cleanser. Not only will this help to combat any dryness that may start to come up, but it will also keep the skin’s moisture barrier healthy by preventing moisture loss.
Product To Try: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser, $16
2. Add a Hydrating Toner
Toners are not typically a must in a skincare routine; however, they can be an excellent hydrating addition as we transition into fall. Opting for a nourishing toner that contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, etc., can help give the skin an extra dose of hydration, which is always welcome during the colder months. This step is especially important if you live in a dry climate, as it can help to prevent the skin from becoming too dry and irritated.
Product To Try: Paula’s Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner with Hyaluronic Acid, $25
3. Use a Thicker Serum
Lightweight hyaluronic acid serums are the absolute superstars of summer, as they manage to keep the skin hydrated without making it look greasy. However, as the weather changes and the temperatures drop, you may want to consider using a thicker, more nourishing serum to help Keep the skin hydrated and healthy. Look for serums that contain ingredients such as ceramides, plant oils, and glycerin, as these will help replenish the skin’s moisture levels and prevent moisture loss.
Product To Try: Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum, $68
4. Opt for Gentler Actives
Active ingredients in skincare products are what cause the bioactivity, or “action,” to occur. For example, retinol is an active ingredient that helps speed up cellular turnover, while glycolic acid is an active ingredient that helps exfoliate the skin and reveal a smoother , brighter skin layer from underneath.
Choose gentler ingredients, like bakuchiol or lactic acid.
While these ingredients are great for any time of the year, it’s recommended for those whose skin is sensitive or reactive to use gentler actives in the fall and winter. So, if you are looking for something that will keep premature signs of aging at bay but your skin is way too dry and irritated to deal with retinol, then opt for products that contain bakuchiol or peptides instead.
On the other hand, if you rely on exfoliating acids to keep your skin smooth and clear, try to incorporate the gentlest of the exfoliating family, such as lactic acid instead of glycolic, or PHAs (poly-hydroxy acids) instead of salicylic acid. These are all excellent alternatives that will get the job done without causing additional irritation or redness to sensitive or damaged skin.
Product To Try: Herbivore Moon Fruit 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum, $60
5. Barrier-Repairing Moisturizer Is a Must
Using a barrier-repairing moisturizer is the best way to combat dryness and keep the skin soft, plump, and hydrated during the colder months. These moisturizers contain ingredients known as fats or lipids, which are naturally found in skin cells and make up 50% of the outer skin layer.
Lipids are incredibly important for keeping a healthy skin barrier and preventing pathogenic bacteria and germs from entering your body. This is why when the skin starts showing signs of dryness, redness, irritation, and even inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis and acne, we know that the lipids in the skin’s barrier have been damaged and need to be replenished.
The good news is that there are plenty of barrier-repairing moisturizers on the market that can help replenish the skin’s natural lipids and restore its moisture levels. Look for moisturizers that contain ingredients such as ceramides, cholesterol, and squalane, as these will all help rebuild and strengthen the skin’s barrier. You should also minimize the use of harsh foaming cleansers and strong active ingredients, as this will further help strengthen and replenish the skin barrier.
Product To Try: Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream, $52
6. Apply an Overnight Mask
An overnight mask is a great way to give your skin an extra boost of hydration while you sleep. Overnight masks typically contain hydrating, nourishing, and softening ingredients that can help boost your moisturizer’s action and prevent moisture loss during the night, especially if the air in your bedroom is cold and dry. They are by no means essential, and using a good moisturizer is usually enough; however, if your skin is on the excessively dry side, or you just want to treat yourself with something extra, using an overnight mask 1-2 times a week is an excellent option to consider.
Product To Try: LANEIGE Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask, $34
7. Treat Your Lips
Chapped lips are one of the many joys of colder temperatures and something most of us have to deal with every single year. Which is why it’s essential to have a good lip balm on hand at all times to prevent your lips from drying out, cracking, and bleeding.
When choosing a lip balm or a lip mask, don’t just go for the standard, petroleum-based products, as these will only create an occlusive layer on the surface and sit there without doing anything for the lips. These products are great for lips that are already hydrated because the occlusive seal prevents moisture from evaporating. However, if your lips are dry, then applying an occlusive seal on top won’t help prevent moisture loss because the moisture has already evaporated.
Opt for a product that has a good balance of hydrating, soothing, and occlusive ingredients.
Instead, opt for a product that has a good balance of hydrating, soothing, and occlusive ingredients as they will actually hydrate the lips and then protect moisture from evaporating, which is exactly what you need to treat and prevent chapped lips.
Product To Try: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy, $12
Closing Thoughts
As the weather changes, so does our skin, and most of the time, we need to tweak our skincare routines to address our skin’s needs. This is why transitioning your skincare routine into fall and colder weather is essential to help prevent dryness, irritation, and a damaged skin barrier, which are common occurrences associated with changes in seasons. In general, during colder months, it’s important to focus on hydration and strengthening the skin barrier, which can be done in many ways.
Therefore, by following our seven simple tips, you can ensure that your skin stays healthy and happy all year round.
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