Here’s How To Transition Your Skincare Routine From Summer To Fall

If you listen closely enough, you’ll catch the whirr of the last sunroof closing, a hundred sighs of relief as mosquitoes say their final goodbyes, and gentle clasps, as we collectively shut our windows against the chill of the new season.

Switching from summer to fall usually mandates a change from tank-tops and short-shorts, to knit sweaters and onesies that make bathroom breaks slightly complicated. However, just as appropriate clothing is important, properly transitioning skincare from summer to fall is necessary for healthy skin.

We’ll look through the importance of proper skin care after the summer months, the reasons fall skincare is non-negotiable, and the right ways to transition skincare routines between the seasons. But first...

We know what you did to your skin last summer

Ba-dum-tss! 🥁 

Even though this was a slightly (okay, very!) different summer than we’re used to, chances are, the ease of lockdowns saw you taking advantage of clear skies and sunny days to enjoy the outdoors. However, lurking outside is the potential for sun damage, as UV rays can cause discoloration, wrinkling, and even skin cancer.

Added to this is the tendency for the summer heat to cause increased oil production in the sebaceous glands. The excess oils can block your skin pores, trapping them in with accumulated dead skin cells and bacteria. This can cause the never welcome, but always eager to make several appearances — summer acne.

With the right skincare routine, however, you can manage the damage done to your skin during the summer months, and maintain good skin health during the fall.

So, what skin problems usually arrive with fall?

You know how summer comes with its fair share of skin conditions: humidity acne, discoloration, dry skin etc — well, fall isn’t very different.

While the cool winds and crisp air of fall might feel great against your skin, these conditions also make it susceptible to a number of issues. These include:

1. Cold weather acne

We know! As if summer acne isn’t bad enough, we have to worry about fall too?

Well, it just happens that the cooler temperature, harsher winds, and lower humidity of fall can be damaging to the lipid layer which keeps a protective barrier over the skin cells. This layer maintains skin health, but can become dehydrated when faced with the harsh conditions of fall.

Its dehydration can cause a build-up of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which clog pores and lead to seasonal acne.

2. Dry skin

Living through the fall weather can sometimes make it hard to smile, literally. The cold air and harsh winds do a job of stripping the skin of its much-needed lipids, drying it out. This is why your face can feel stretched out and taut in the fall months.

3. Dandruff

Drying out doesn’t only affect the skin on your face and body, it can also disrupt the skin sitting pretty on your head.

Dandruff usually comes about when the scalp attempts to produce more oil to counter the drying effects of fall. This causes excess sebum on the scalp, a condition loved by the fungus Malassezia. When this fungus grows too quickly, it disrupts the normal renewal of skin cells, causing dead cells to shed faster than usual.

Other fall skin problems include eczema, rosacea, and keratosis pilaris.

Now, how do I transition my skincare from summer to fall?

Gather round, we're going to need antioxidants, moisturizers, sunscreen, some extra special help with fall acne, and a pumpkin spice latte for no reason at all.

1. Up the anti: antioxidants that is.

To undo some of the damage of the summer, incorporate antioxidants into your fall skincare routine. These antioxidants can fight the free radicals that cause wrinkles, dry skin, and pigmentation.

2. Bring on the moisturizers.

You might think acne is worse during summer, but fall can pack a mean breakout punch. Moisturizers will help to prevent extreme dryness which causes seasonal acne and damage to the skin. Look out for heavier moisturizers and products that specify 'moisturizing' and 'hydrating properties.

3. Don't forget the sunscreen.

UV rays do not take days off, and neither should you. Daily use of SPF is required to relieve acne scarring and discoloration.

4. Did someone say fresh face fall?

Because we know just the product for that!

Now that we’ve successfully gotten the armpit stains out of our summer clothes, we must now prepare for the three horsemen of fall weather — dry spots, redness, and cold weather irritation.

Fall weather, with its less than ideal conditions for skin, usually has us scrambling to learn the correct methods to deal with the challenges the weather brings. For quick tips on how to deal with dry and irritated skin, check this out.

But first, pro tip: for irritated skin, look out for products whose ingredient list contains ceramides and antioxidants. Ceramides are lipids which build the skin barrier and help the body retain moisture. These are very important as fall weather strips moisture and can weaken the skin barrier. Antioxidants help to manage the damage done to the skin during the summer. They reduce and counteract the free radicals that are formed by the sun’s UV rays.

Another pro tip: to smoothen any fall skin irritation, try out the Rescue Balm. it contains ceramides, antioxidants, glycerin and other ingredients to boost your skin health during the cool season. Plus, we know the owners!

Article written by guest writer, Elizabeth Plumptre.

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