By now, you’ve probably heard that you need to transition your skincare routine with the season. But what should your skincare routine look like as we move from summer into fall, and what skincare products should you be using? In this guide, we cover 10 practical tips to ready your skincare routine for the transition from hotter to cooler weather.
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Choose a gentle cleanser.
Many people enjoy using a foaming or gel cleanser during the summer, but that can often be too stripping for your skin once the weather cools off. If your face feels dry and tight after you wash it, try switching to a milk or cream cleanser. These formulations are more gentle on your skin, cleansing it without stripping away your natural (and much needed) oils. You might also need to skip washing your face in the morning if you have very dry skin, instead opting for just a rinse with cool water.
Incorporate hydrating products.
Now is the time to start incorporating more hydrating ingredients and products into your skincare for wrinkles. For example, you might not need a dedicated hydrating serum in the summer, but your skin might need the extra moisture as we transition into fall. If you live somewhere with a relatively hot fall, hydrating toners and face sprays will benefit your skin without weighing it down with product.
Lighten up on the exfoliation.
You should exfoliate all year round, including into the fall, but that doesn’t mean the frequency stays the same. Most people tolerate more exfoliation in the summer but need to do it less often or switch to less powerful products as the weather gets colder. If your skin is looking dry and you were exfoliating nearly every day in the summer, try taking it down to two to three times a week to see if your skin tolerates that frequency better.
Ramp up your retinol.
Retinol is a great product to use year-round, but it does make some people’s faces more sensitive to the sun. If you cut your retinol from your skincare travel kit because of this, now is the perfect time to start using it more frequently again. This will give your face some time to adjust before the weather gets extremely cold and dry, so take advantage of the more temperate fall weather while it lasts!
Transition to a heavier moisturizer.
We love a lightweight moisturizer during the hot days of summer, but you’ll probably find that a gel moisturizer or water cream just isn’t providing enough hydration come fall. Now is a good time to start using a moisturizer that features more moisturizing ingredients such as petrolatum and oils. These heavier ingredients form an occlusive barrier on the skin that helps to slow moisture loss and keeps your skin feeling plump and hydrated.
Incorporate nourishing masks.
If your face needs an occasional boost of hydration or moisture, using a mask in your weekly skincare routine might be exactly what you’re looking for. Masks are typically wash-off treatments that are used to give your skin a boost whenever it needs one. Masks are great to do on the weekend or a longer self-care night since you typically need to let them sit on the skin for at least a few minutes before rinsing it off.
Keep using SPF.
This is the one part of your skincare routine that shouldn’t change as we transition out of summer! Just because the sun might not shine as brightly during the fall, it doesn’t mean that you should stop applying sunscreen every day. Every day, apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to all exposed areas of your skin, not just your face but also your ears, neck, chest and the rest of your body.
Apply lip balm and hand cream.
The skin on your lips and hand is exposed to water, food and other potential irritants more than anywhere else on your body — which is why these are often the first areas to chafe and crack when the weather gets cold. Applying lip balm and hand cream both throughout the day and also at night will help to prevent them from getting dried out. Starting the habit now, before the weather gets really cold, will help you maintain it once fall and winter really set in.
Start using a body care routine.
Your face gets most of the attention, but the skin on your body can become equally dry come wintertime. To stop this from happening, switch to a more moisturizing body wash as summer comes to an end. You should also apply body lotion head to toe whenever you get out of the shower, ideally while your skin is still damp. While you’re at it, be sure to only shower in lukewarm water (never too hot or cold) and keep your shower 5-10 minutes long to avoid drying out your skin.
Prepare for winter skin issues.
Some skin issues, such as eczema, are more likely to flare up in the winter. If you struggle with these kinds of skin issues, fall is the right time to stock up on whatever products you need and also begin a preventative routine. This way, you will be prepared for any possible flare-ups and reduce the chances of them happening once the weather gets really cold.
Have you already started transitioning your skincare routine from summer to fall, or are you waiting for the weather to cool down more? What skincare products are you planning to use during the fall? Let us know in the comments below!
