Autumn is a time of transition for the skin. Not only does summertime damage need to be cared for, it’s also time to prepare for those long winter months ahead. Fall brings with it shorter days, longer nights, and cooler weather. Sometimes we’re lucky to have a beautiful Indian Summer and other times it’s cold and rainy. This constant change in temperature and humidity can wreak havoc on your skin.
For people who have existing skin problems, thedifference in temperature can contribute to flare-ups and breakouts. Do you break out constantly, have a chronic skin problem, or have sensitive skin? If so, then it’s wise to take extra special care of your skin during the Fall. Just as it’s time to put away summer clothes and update your wardrobe, it’s also time to make sweeping changes to your skincare routine. Follow these ten valuable tips to give yourself a beautiful fall glow.
1. Change your routine. Summer skin care is primarily focused on controlling oil and helping your skin to resist the heat and sun. Fall skin care routines are designed to help balance your skin; your goal is to help your skin achieve a state of calm and comfort. To do this, look for balancing products with a slightly thicker moisturizer than what you used in the summer. Stay within your skin type on the moisturizer. If your skin is naturally oily, you won’t want a moisturizer with oil. Instead find non-oily products that are a little more substantial.
2. Switch from Lotion to Cream. The transition to Fall means it’s important to hydrate (provide more moisture) the skin more carefully. A good example of hydrating the skin is to move away from lotions and towards creams. Creams are typically more moisturizing than lotions. Regular use of hydrating creams will help to restore moisture balance and elasticity to the outer layer of the skin. Creams also provide a more protective barrier against extremes in temperature as well as humidity. If you are concerned about using a cream because you already have oily skin and you normally use a light gel, consider using a lotion for the Fall and Winter seasons.
3. Drink plenty of water. This is a good idea no matter which season you’re in. Water is a natural detoxing agent: it will help your body to carry away toxins that would otherwise end up as pimples on your skin. Dehydration can cause your skin to dry out and flake. If you want your skin to be able to withstand the changing seasons, drinking lots of water is an excellent place to start.
4. Use alcohol-free toner. Toners containing alcohol as a main ingredient strip the natural oils from your skin, and can be very damaging especially during the Fall. Instead, use alcohol-free toners which will remove sweat and excess oil, refresh tired complexion, and whisk away impurities that can lead to blemishes and breakouts.
5. Exfoliate, Pamper and Repeat. Exfoliating is one of the keys to radiant skin in the fall. Exfoliate the skin (remove dead skin cells) at least once a week. Dead skin cells from sunburns, parched areas from pool chlorine, too much UV exposure, and oils clogging the pores all contribute to a dull, unhealthy complexion. Exfoliation is also a great way to keep dry, flaking skin areas at bay during the winter. Before you can really work on restoring your skin, you need to gently remove the old skin barrier. Not only will exfoliating help restore your glow, it will prepare the surface to better absorb whatever rejuvenating treatments you may fancy. Do exfoliating sparingly, however, as too often can cause irritation depending on the type of skin you have. Overeager or harsh exfoliation may lead to flare-ups of some of the very conditions you are trying to fix, especially acne. There are many gentle products that will do a good job of exfoliation for you.
6. Protect Your Lips. Start moisturizing early to prevent cracked & chapped lips this winter. Its best not to use a petroleum-based lip balm as these products can have a drying effect on your lips. Instead, look for products that contain soothing lanolin, as well as beeswax as these help to seal moisture in. You can also find lip balms containing organic hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is one of the world’s richest sources of polyunsaturated fats, including both of the essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6) and GLA (gamma Linolenic acid). This makes it very nourishing for the skin and an excellent moisturizer. Other good ingredients to look for in lip products are jojoba oil, shea butter, avocado oil, and mango oil. These moisturizing ingredients can work wonders for your lips.
7. Use Gentle Soaps that Don’t Strip Oils From Your Skin. Use cold processed soaps and if your skin is sensitive use unscented soaps. Harsh soaps full of dyes and fragrance can often strip your skin’s essential oils, leaving your skin dry and cracked. The ‘Cold Crafted’ method of making soap uses low temperatures for a short period of time in order to bring various oils to their natural melting points. Once this is achieved no further external heat is applied. This allows the natural ingredients to retain their skin-nourishing and health related benefits. In addition, the ‘Cold Crafted’ process itself naturally creates within the soap a byproduct called glycerin which helps draw moisture to the skin and contributes to the silky smooth feel of cold processed soaps.
8. Continue Sun Protection. Protecting your skin from the sun isn’t just for the summer. Just because the weather is colder doesn’t mean that you can’t get sun damage. Despite the reduced amount of sun we begin to experience, you will still need to exercise caution when it comes to protecting your skin from UV rays. UV rays penetrate clouds and overcast skies, and reflect off water, cement, sand, and snow. Skin cancer lesions commonly appear on the areas of the body that endure year round exposure, such as the hands, face, ears, and the left arm of drivers. Continue using SPF rated products. The heavy duty high numbered SPFs might be overkill, but the normal SPFs will do well for this season.
9. Care For Your Hands. With the decrease in humidity during Fall, it’s easy for hands to become dry and damaged. So moisturize your hands daily and apply a hand cream every time you wash your hands. Hands that may have been damaged from UV rays this summer need extra care to stay soft and smooth. The skin on the hands tend to be thinner than on the rest of your body and is often exposed to more drying agents. Thus you may wish to use special products that are designed for these needs. Hand products are also useful for knees, elbows, heels and cuticles.
10. Reduce the Vitamin A. Vitamin A and C are often recommended for the skin. But products with high amounts of Vitamin A can be a hindrance in the Fall as Vitamin A has a drying effect. Vitamin C is a better choice this season as it helps to boost the immune system. Chapped skin and broken skin will also heal faster with help from Vitamin C.
Baby your skin this Autumn, and soon you’ll have a beautiful glow from head to toe.