4.Address pigmentation

“Shift your focus to repairing the damage from the summer sun,” advises plastic surgery registrar, Dr Jo Mennie. “Despite good SPF use, for many there is often an inevitable resurgence of pigmentation. I like to use autumn as the season in which to begin breaking down some of this pigmentation – I switch up my regular vitamin C serum to one that also contains hydroquinone, such as the Obagi Rx C-Clarifying Serum. This medical-grade product provides high concentration of both ingredients, and allows them to work in synergy to kickstart the pigmentation reversal process.”

5.Get water temperature right

According to dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite, “When you wash your face, you should ideally use lukewarm water because it will activate your cleanser to properly remove product build-up, dirt and grime on the skin, while also protecting the skin’s natural oils. Washing with water that’s too hot can be an irritant to the skin, leaving it sensitised, tight and dry, and it can also impact the skin barrier. Although there are benefits to using cold water on the skin, including reducing puffiness, cleansing with cold water should be avoided. It does not clean the skin as effectively as water at warmer temperatures.”

6. Don’t forget your lips

“Don’t forget to protect your lips. They need optimal skincare too, especially in the autumn and winter, when transepidermal water loss is higher due to change in humidity and harsh winds,” says medical doctor Dr Tijion Esho. “This can leave lips dry and cracked if not treated. Use a squalene-based lip balm, like Esho Coat, to hydrate and protect – and also be sure to use SPF on lips too.”

7. Embrace inside-out beauty

“A change of season is the perfect time to adjust your daily routine and introduce a new habit to look after skin health,” says medical and cosmetic doctor, Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe. “I’m an avid consumer of supplements and it’s all part of my wider belief that beauty, and overall health needs to be addressed from the inside, out. This autumn/winter I would recommend introducing a collagen supplement, like Vida Glow’s Natural Marine Collagen, into your routine to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, promote and maintain healthy hair and help nails grow longer, quicker and stronger.”

8. Moisturise

“Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!” says consultant dermatologist, Dr Mary Sommerlad. “Face, hands, body and feet, especially after showering when the skin is slightly damp – it will help lock water in. The cold, dry air and central heating in winter increase water loss, meaning that skin can start to feel dry and itchy. I recommend using multitasking moisturisers that work to draw moisture in, soften and prevent water loss. Ingredients like ceramides help repair the skin barrier while humectants, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, draw water into the skin. Shea butter is the only plant oil I recommend as it is low irritation and great at reducing dryness, plus squalane is a great addition to any formula. There are so many great formulations to suit every budget – just make sure those key ingredients are in there.”

9. Cleanse correctly

“Get cleansing wrong and it’s hard to get skincare right,” says dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting. “I recommend sticking to non-foaming, gentle cleansers that are functional, then rely on your serums to deliver active ingredients in a much more precise way. My ideal cleansing wardrobe contains a gel-based cleanser, with a skin-friendly pH of around 4-5, that won’t clog pores. I also like to use a micellar water for on-the-go cleansing and eye make-up removal. My new Flawless Cleansing Water contains just nine ingredients, combining gentle surfactants with excellent cleansing power and skin-soothers like glycerin and liquorice extract, to support the skin barrier.”

10. Incorporate chemical exfoliators

Heed consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto’s advice: “Now is a good time of year to start re-introducing gentle chemical exfoliators, like lactic, mandelic, kojic, gluconolactone and lactobionic acids, into your routine. These acids can traditionally make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so using them at this time of year is less likely to cause problems, such as sun sensitivity. They are also very good at removing the upper, dead layer of skin cells and targeting pigmentation, freckling or uneven skin tone, which occurs due to sun exposure.”

11. Restart with retinol

“Retinol is the perfect ingredient to incorporate into your skincare routine in autumn and winter,” points out aesthetic doctor Dr Maryam Zamani. “I recommend introducing it to help boost collagen production, decrease pigmentation and improve skin tone. It works to gently speed skin exfoliation and diminish lasting signs of summer sun damage. Try the MZ Skin Retinol Skin Booster.”