The weathers finally taking a turn towards being cooler as we enter the month of December. With the weather change, I’m personally happy to kiss those warm days goodbye. I love the cool the weather and swapping out my tanks and shorts for cosy knits and boots. However, sweater weather is more than just changing your wardrobe. As the weather changes the need to modify our skincare routines comes along as well. Admittedly, I was painfully unaware of this fact a few years ago. When I finally learnt how to make some simple alternations with the changing seasons it made a huge difference to my skin.
With fall weather comes a drop in humidity which creates dry stale air and even drier skin. Plus you’re dealing with the aftermath of summer with sun damage, dullness or dehydration and maybe even more oil production depending on your skin type. But hey no need to stress out! You don’t necessarily have to overhaul your entire routine. By just incorporating some fall-friendly products you can help rebalance your skin during transitional weather. We’ve listed out a few handy skincare tips below to help your skin be its best from summer to fall. While the skincare products you choose are highly dependant on your unique skin type these simple crash-course tips should have you living your best most radiant life.
Keep reading and get started to transform your skincare routine for fall/winter:
1. Swap out your cleanser
Changing up your cleansers should be one of the first things you do when the weather turns colder. While the lightweight foam cleansers or clarifying ones help balance skin levels and deeply clean the skin in summer, it can be too harsh for the fall/winter months. When the weather cools less oil is produced in your skin so you need products that cleanse your skin without stripping the natural necessary protective oils. Avoid products with high acid content and look for a moisture thick cream cleanser that will be more gentle and hydrating on the skin.
2. Use a heavier moisturiser
Next, its time to bulk up the hydration. You might notice that due to the dry air your skin feels drier too. In this case, that oil-free gel moisturiser you were using all summer won’t do the job anymore. Consider switching to a lotion or heavier consistency cream with rich formula ingredients that work best for your skin. Remember to apply your moisturiser morning and night right after washing your face. This is when the skin is best able to lock in the most amount of moisture. Don’t forget your eyes and lips either! Eye cream really assists in brightening dark circles and keeping the sensitive skin hydrated. Along with a good lip balm or overnight lip mask to avoid chapped lips.
3. Add a serum or facial oil
If you live in a very cold climate you’re bound to turn on the heating every day. In this situation, your daily cream won’t be enough to combat very dry skin. Here the best solution is to include a facial oil or serum to your routine for an extra dose of nourishment. Choose one with vitamins that tackle dullness and dryness. Moreover, another way to boost hydration is to use an alcohol-free toner. If you haven’t been using one already now’s a great time to start. Toners provide a great way to infuse water into the skin. Once you wash your face wipe the toner over your skin then immediately apply your serum and moisturiser to seal in the active ingredients.
4. Include an overnight mask
We’ve preceded that keeping your skin hydrated is super important but another way to help pamper your skin is by using a face mask before bed. Overnight face masks are different from traditional masks as they allow you to leave them on your skin as you sleep; doing all the work for you. Water-based gel masks are best for oil breakout-prone skin types that need water but no additional oil. They are also ideal for soothing sensitive skin. But if you’re experiencing extreme dryness opt for a cream mask. They contain more deeply moisturising oils that will plump up your skin. Apply it by itself or as the last step of your skincare routine.
5. Exfoliating process
Exfoliation is a necessary step that helps repair and brighten the skin by removing discolouration and dead skin that traps oil. However, in cooler weather, it’s best to cut back on robust ingredients. You want to be more gentle with your skin. Once again depending on your skin type, you might want to reduce the number of times you use strong products to exfoliate your skin.
6. Don’t forget SPF
Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you skip out on your SPF application. UVA & UVB rays are damaging to skin all year round so apply your SPF every morning. Make sure to cover your face, neck and any exposed areas. The sun is equally strong and damaging in cooler temperatures!
7. What’s your skin saying?
At the end of the day, you really need to listen to what your skin is saying. It’s going to tell you what it needs most and when skin problems arise, you must ensure that you’re using products to specifically address it. Constant changes and issues like tightness, breakouts or sensitivities are signs that your current process isn’t quite working and needs a change. If need be, schedule a session with a dermatologist or skincare professional to sort out any issues before its too late.
What steps do you take to keep your skin glowing during the colder months? Let us know in the comments below.
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