Transitioning Your Summer Skin Care Routine Into Fall
Introduction
As hot, summer days transition to the crisp, cool season of fall, your skincare routine needs a bit of a seasonal transition, as well. The environmental change from summer to fall can be tricky for your skin, which may still be in summer-mode. As the temperature drops and the fall season approaches, your skin requires different care to stay healthy and radiant.
To begin, when transitioning your skin care routine from summer to fall, it’s essential to understand the environmental differences between the seasons to adjust your routine properly. Summer months often means you’re exposed to higher levels of humidity and sun, which can lead to increased oil production, sunburn, and pore-clogging debris, like sweat and sunscreen build-up.
When fall approaches, the cooler and dry air can strip your skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. As the summer humidity decreases, your skin will benefit from subtle shifts in your skin routine. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you smoothly transition your skincare routine from summer to fall with tips on how to adjust each step of your skin routine.
1. Opt for a heavier moisturizer
As the summer humidity decreases, your skin can become dry and irritated as it combats the drier air. Because of this, one skin care adjustment that would help is to opt for a richer, more intensive moisturizer. Look for products that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, which help to lock in moisture and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
An example of this would be transitioning from Alastin’s Ultra Light moisturizer in the summer to Alastin’s Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer in the fall as a more intensive, hydrating option. If a heavy moisturizer still isn’t enough, consider incorporating more hyaluronic acid into your routine before applying your moisturizer. This extra layer of hydration can make a significant difference, especially if you’re prone to dryness during the colder months. Revision’s Hydrating Serum is great for locking in extra moisture to avoid dryness.
2. Decrease exfoliation frequency
Exfoliation is crucial for removing dead skin cells and keeping your complexion bright and smooth. In the summer, you might have exfoliated more frequently to deal with sweat and sunscreen buildup.
However, as you transition to fall, it’s important to adjust your exfoliation routine to prevent over-exfoliation, which can lead to irritation and sensitivity. Reduce the frequency of exfoliation to once a week to account for drier skin in the fall. Our gentle exfoliation recommendations are the NeoCutis Exfoliating Cleanser, which can provide the benefits of exfoliation without stripping your skin of essential moisture or the Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, a gentle exfoliation with a pumpkin-packed fall aroma.
3. Reevaluate Your Cleanser
During the summer, you might have relied on a foaming or gel cleanser to thoroughly cleanse your skin of sweat, oil, and sunscreen. However, as the weather cools down, it’s time to consider switching to a more hydrating cleanser. Creamy or oil-based cleansers are excellent choices for fall because they cleanse the skin without stripping away its natural oils.
If you’re concerned about breakouts, look for a cleanser that balances hydration with gentle cleansing. An example of this would be one that contains hydrating ingredients, like aloe vera or chamomile, combined with acne-fighting salicylic acid. Epionce makes a great cleanser with all of these properties called the Milky Lotion Cleanser.
4. Introduce Antioxidants
Fall is a great time to incorporate antioxidant-rich products into your skincare routine if you don't already. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract, help protect your skin from environmental damage, including pollution and UV rays.
They also assist in repairing the skin and promoting a more even skin tone. A vitamin C serum with antioxidants can be a powerful addition to your fall routine, helping to brighten your complexion and reduce the appearance of sunspots or hyperpigmentation that may have developed over the summer. The Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum can give you all of these benefits in one without irritating the skin.
If you have concerns of more intense dark spots and pigmentation, consider using products that contain ingredients like niacinamide and cysteamine which are known for its skin-brightening properties. The Intensive Pigment Corrector from Cyspera is made to fade dark spots and even skin tone and is a perfect addition during the fall season.
5. Pay Attention to Sensitive Areas
The delicate and sensitive skin around your eyes and on your lips is often the first to show signs of dryness and aging as the weather cools. Incorporating a nourishing eye cream and a hydrating lip product into your routine can help prevent dryness, fine lines, and chapping.
Look for eye creams that contain peptides, hyaluronic acid, or caffeine to hydrate and reduce puffiness. Revision’s Revox Line Relaxer is formulated to hydrate and minimize wrinkles and fine lines around the eye area, while visibly enhancing the skin’s radiance.
For the lips, opt for the Lip Conditioner made by Ourself. The Lip Conditioners are highly moisturizing, tinted lip balms with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to condition and soothe the lips with each application. These balms are the perfect addition to a fall skin care routine, as they keep the lips moisturized and hydrated, while offering an effortless, no-makeup tinted appearance.
6. Adjust Your Retinol Routine
Your nighttime retinol routine is an opportunity to repair and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep, although your retinol frequency use or strength use may have to decrease as we say hello to the fall season.
As fall approaches, consider incorporating more nourishing and reparative products into your evening regimen, alongside your retinol product. A thicker night cream or overnight mask can provide your skin with the hydration it needs to recover from the day’s environmental stressors and maintain the skin’s hydration.
Our season retinol recommendation is the Revision DEJ Night Face Cream because it’s an intensive all-in-one nighttime moisturizer specifically formulated to reveal newer, younger-looking skin while you sleep with its gentle retinol formula. In addition to the antioxidants, retinol use will help improve any sun damage and skin pigmentation that may have developed over the summer months.
Conclusion
It’s essential to pay close attention to how your skin responds to the changing weather and the products you’re using as the seasons transition from summer to fall. Adjust your skin care routine as needed- if your skin feels tight, dry, or irritated, it might be a sign that you need to add more hydration or switch to gentler products. The top tips you should consider when making summer to fall skin care adjustments are to consider using a heavier moisturizer, decreasing exfoliation, using a gentler cleanser, introducing antioxidants, focusing on sensitive areas of the face, and decreasing retinol frequency or strength.
Transitioning your skincare routine from summer to fall doesn’t have to be complicated. By making a few thoughtful adjustments, you can help your skin adapt to the changing weather and keep it looking its best. Focus on hydration, protect against environmental stressors, and tailor your routine to your skin’s unique needs. With the right approach, your skin will stay healthy, radiant, and resilient all season long.