Tackle Fall with the right skincare regimen.
Remember the spring and summer? Loading up on SPF was second nature and the humidity brought on a lovely dewiness. Well here comes fall/winter skin, which means it’s time for a lot more TLC and a shift in your daily regimen. Along with cooler temps and turning on the heat comes dryness, itchiness, and flakiness. Implement these easy tips into your routine and keep skin healthy and happy until next summer.
SPF 15 And Beyond
Even though it’s dark by 5pm or the day is overcast, those pesky UV rays can still sneak through. This means we should not even think about leaving the house without an SPF of 15 or higher on our faces….Every day….For the rest of our lives. Apply first thing in the morning, again mid day if you like, or reapply after a sweat sesh.
Moisturize Head To Toe
Lips and eyes also need help adapting to the abrupt transition of season and weather. Before bed every night, treat the skin around your eyes to a cream or serum. Apply a lip balm frequently throughout the day or use as a base for your lip gloss. And you don’t have to go high-end. Petroleum jelly is a great lip balm, and a large tub is very inexpensive. Finally, don’t forget about body lotion. After the shower is the perfect time to layer on. If it’s before bed, lather on your feet too and sleep with socks on. Feet will feel spa-tastic in the morning.
Invest In Humidifiers
If you haven’t had to turn on the heat yet, count yourself (and your skin) lucky, because once the temperature dips and the furnace comes on we can expect stale, dry air which our skin is constantly exposed to. A humidifier will help to increase the moisture in the environment, help your skin to absorb hydration and relieve dry skin. Fortunately, there are also portable versions too. Perfect for your desk if you’re at the office all day.
Avoid Hot Water
Bubble baths, the epitome of self-care, right? After a cold or damp day there’s nothing better than soaking your troubles away but just be mindful of how hot the water is and what kind of suds you’re using. Lukewarm baths and showers are best, as are non-fragrant soaps. Always pat-dry afterwards with a soft towel, never rub aggressively.
Heavy Moisturizers & Gentle Cleansers
This time of year you definitely should be exfoliating less. The ingredients can be harsh and over exfoliating can lead to small cracks in the skin, causing dehydration and even inflammation. But an occasional gentle exfoliation will help your moisturizer do its job. It’s also a good idea to go to a heavier formula with your daily moisturizer, as it’s a protective barrier for your skin.
Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Just like daylight savings time is always a solid reminder to check the batteries in your smoke detector, let the change of seasons be your cue to give brushes a semi-annual clean. Make-up brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to unwanted blemishes. While you’re at it, give old products a purge too.
Stash Hand Cream Everywhere
Chances are in this pandemic era, constant hand washing and hand sanitizing has had an impact on the dryness of your hands. Partnered with the change of seasons and you’re most likely dealing with dry, cracked hands. Soothe yourself by keeping a hand cream everywhere—desk, fanny pack, at the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Then every time you wash your hands, follow up with hand cream.
Rest Well & Drink Water
The skin is the largest organ in the body. While you sleep is actually when the body repairs itself. If you’re not getting enough zzzz’s this can affect the appearance of your skin (and puffy eyes). This time of year, always aim for at least seven hours a night, or if you can swing it, go for nine. Also make sure you’re hydrating frequently throughout the day. Drinking water is one of the easiest, yet beneficial ways to support your skin any time of year.
