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Changes to Make to Your Skincare Routine for Fall

October 05, 2021

Changes to Make to Your Skincare Routine for Fall

The days of summer are long gone, and fall is officially upon us. The change in season has many of us switching up our wardrobes, lighting fall candles, and sipping on pumpkin spice lattes.

Fall brings cooler weather, so in addition to changing up the clothes we wear (hello, sweater weather!), it’s important to revamp our skincare routines. While some of us may have switched to lightweight serums and gel moisturizers during the summer months, it’s time to swap out some products to protect our skin from the cold temperatures ahead.

Why Should I Change My Routine?

The fall season varies depending on where you live, but generally, fall means cooler weather and drier air—and the combination of the two have a greater impact on our skin than we might think.

As the humidity and temperatures drop and we turn to warmer showers and indoor heaters, our skin is often the first to feel the effects. All of these factors can damage the skin’s protective barrier, causing dryness, flakiness, and itchiness. They can also cause certain skin conditions to flare up, such as eczema, rashes, and psoriasis.

In order to soothe the skin and keep it looking and feeling its best, following a good routine is essential this time of year. Here are seven simple things you can do now to prep your skin for the upcoming weather:

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Hydration is key when it comes to fall and winter skincare. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or are somewhere in between, it’s important to protect your skin from the harsh elements by upping the moisture. This can be done by changing up your cleanser, serum, and moisturizer.

  • Cleanser: While it might seem like the type of cleanser we use doesn’t matter because it just gets washed away, this isn’t the case. Clarifying and oil controlling cleansers may be a great choice for the summer, but in the fall and winter, these products can be overly drying to the skin. Instead, try using a gentle hydrating cleanser. Cream and micellar formulas are great options for cleansing the skin without stripping it of its moisture. 
  • Serum: If you’re not already, consider using a hydrating serum, such as Herbal Dynamics Beauty’s Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum. After you get out of the shower, apply an even layer of a hyaluronic acid serum to your skin while it’s still damp. This will help to lock in hydration and create a perfect base before applying a moisturizer. 
  • Moisturizer: When it comes to choosing a moisturizer, look for a thicker cream. Moisturizers formulated with ceramides are a great choice, as they help to create a protective barrier for the skin and seal in moisture. The skin is naturally made up of ceramides, but these fatty acids are lost over time—so using a product with ceramides is a great way to protect the skin from the environment and fight premature aging.

Opt for a Gentle Exfoliant

Proper exfoliation removes pore-clogging dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, revealing fresh new cells below. This keeps the skin healthy and smooth, and allows moisturizing products to penetrate fully.

When exfoliating in the fall or winter, look for a chemical or physical exfoliant that is very gentle. It’s best to use one that is free of any potentially irritating ingredients, such as alcohols and fragrance. Also be sure to avoid over-exfoliating—try to stick with 1-3 times per week at most.

If you’re using a physical exfoliant, don’t scrub too hard! Being gentle with your skin is key, as colder weather can make it more sensitive and prone to irritation.

Consider Using a Toner

Toners aren’t necessarily a must, but they’re a great way to keep your skin balanced. They can minimize the appearance of large pores, remove impurities from the skin, and even protect the skin from environmental factors.

When used after cleansing, toners can help to prep the skin and improve the absorption of the products applied afterwards, such as serums, moisturizers, and oils. This is especially beneficial during the colder months, because it will ensure your skin is soaking up all of the moisture from the products you’re applying.

Typically, toners can be applied to a cotton pad and swept across the face, but they also come in the form of a mist, like Herbal Dynamics Beauty’s Rose Water Calming Face Toner.

Apply Facial Oil on Top of Moisturizer

Facial oils are an amazing way to keep your skin hydrated and protected. If you’re someone who has oily skin, it might seem counterintuitive. But, a facial oil can actually help to maintain your skin’s moisture levels and keep it from overproducing oil.

So how do you use facial oil? After applying your moisturizer, place a few drops in your hands and gently press the oil into your skin. This can help to lock in moisture throughout the day or night, and it will also give your skin a nice glow—creating the perfect base for applying makeup.

There are many different oils to choose from, all with different purposes. Here’s a quick look at some commonly used oils and their benefits.

  • Squalane oil: Restores skin’s moisture barrier, refines texture, and improves elasticity.
  • Rosehip seed oil: Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and gives skin a firmer, softer appearance.
  • Tamanu oil: Targets dryness, sensitivity, and the appearance of dark spots and blemishes.
  • Argan oil: Hydrates, brightens, balances oil production, and fights signs of aging.

Use a Hydrating Mask

Masks are a great way to give your skin some TLC. From pore refining and brightening to anti-aging and firming, face masks are created to target a variety of different skin concerns. Specifically, hydrating masks can be an effective way to give your skin an extra boost of moisture during the fall and winter.

Hydrating masks come in many different forms, such as sheet masks, cream masks, clay masks, and even overnight masks that you leave on while you sleep, like Herbal Dynamics Beauty’s Hyaluronic Acid & Oat Overnight Recovery Mask. Formulated with ingredients like oat extract, hyaluronic acid, and tremella mushroom, this mask is designed to hydrate and plump the skin while protecting it against environmental stressors.

The frequency of application varies depending on the product and its ingredients, but in most cases, you can apply face masks anywhere from one to several times a week. This is a great way to pamper your skin when it’s feeling especially dry.

Don’t Forget About the Rest of Your Body

Your face isn’t the only area that needs special attention during the colder months—your entire body needs extra hydration as well.

Once a day, take the time to apply a lotion or body butter, which can provide a protective barrier for your skin. Ingredients like mango butter, shea butter, and squalane, which are all found in Herbal Dynamics Beauty’s Shea & Squalane Rich Body Butter, are amazing for keeping the skin moisturized.

It’s important to take care of your lips as well, which are prone to becoming dry and cracking in the colder weather. Scrubs are a great way to exfoliate the lips and remove dead skin, and lip masks can deeply nourish the lips and keep them soft and plump. The Volumizing Lip Scrub & Mask Duo is designed to exfoliate and nourish your lips with all natural ingredients. 

Invest in a Humidifier

As the temperature drops, we often turn on our heaters to stay warm inside. Unfortunately, this can cause the air to become very dry and as a result, dry out your skin.

If you’re looking to take your skincare routine to the next level, consider investing in a humidifier for your home. Humidifiers emit moisture through a mist, which can help to create more humidity in the air.

So, whether you keep it at your desk while working from home or decide to place it by your bed and run it while you sleep, a humidifier can lock in moisture and actually enhance the effectiveness of your skincare products. If you live in an especially cold and dry climate, this can be a worthwhile investment.

Changing up your products seasonally can help to cater to your skin’s specific needs, keeping it healthy and balanced all year long. Have fun incorporating these tips into your fall skincare routine!

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