As autumn arrives, it’s not only your wardrobe that should be transitioning. Your skincare routine may require some adjustments, too, with seasonal changes having the potential to wreak havoc on your skin. As temperatures drop, the weather gets harsher, and the heating goes on indoors, your skin’s needs are likely to change. Keep our autumn skincare tips in mind, and prepare yourself for whatever the new season brings.
The colder seasons can also dry out your hair — look after your locks as well as your skin with this homemade hair mask recipe.
How Autumn Affects Your Skin
Autumn brings its fair share of changes to the world around us, with colder weather, more blustery days and less humidity in the air. As summer comes to an end, your skin must adjust to this new normal, which is bound to impact it in one way or another. Rapid fluctuations in weather can take its toll on our skin — here are some of the reasons why autumn, in particular, can be so harsh on your complexion.
Cold Temperatures Can Cause Dryness
When temperatures drop, dryness and dehydration are the main issues your skin will have to contend with. As it gets colder outside, humidity levels get much lower, and this lack of moisture in the air can upset the skin’s balance, stealing away your summer glow and replacing it with a dry, dull and flaky complexion.
Just as you must drink enough water to stay healthy and hydrated, your skin also needs its thirst quenched to maintain elasticity and appear smooth, radiant and evenly toned.
Being Exposed to Wind Can Weaken Your Skin
As summer ends and autumn begins, the weather can quickly become much more blustery. Being exposed to wind can cause the outer layer of your skin to dry out and weaken, in turn causing sensitivity, inflammation and redness. If your skin becomes increasingly weakened over time, the outermost layer of skin becomes unable to serve its primary protection function. This puts you at greater risk of splitting or cracking, which may lead to infection.
Autumn Air May Mean Chapped Lips
Colder climates can also impact your lips, causing dehydration, cracked skin and cold sores. This can be very uncomfortable and sore, but a nourishing lip balm may help to prevent excessive drying and irritation.
Breakouts Can Get Worse as Autumn Arrives
Have you ever noticed that you get more breakouts in the autumn and winter months? This may be due to an excess of sebum, an oily substance produced by your body to coat, moisturise and protect your skin. The drier the conditions, the more sebum you produce, which can cause clogged pores and an increased number of blemishes.
When the Sun Goes in, Our Guard Goes Down
To properly protect your skin against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, you must be diligent in applying sunscreen. Sun protection factor (SPF) should be applied all year round, no matter the weather, but all too often, we forget about it when the days become dull or overcast. By forgetting to apply SPF, you’re more likely to get sun damage and increase your risk of skin cancer.
Hot Showers and Baths Are Bad for Your Skin
As temperatures plummet, you may find yourself craving more hot showers and baths to warm up, but this can also have a negative impact on your skin. Hot water strips your skin of moisture, so it’s better to take the temperature down a notch.
Top Autumn Skincare Tips to Make You Look Radiant
Autumn can be tough on the skin, but thankfully, there’s several small adjustments you can make to your routine to keep yours looking radiant. Get ready for the change in environment with these autumn skincare tips.
Make Some Simple Changes to Your Skincare Routine
When making changes to your skincare routine, it’s best to keep things relatively simple. If you’re swapping out products, do so one at a time and avoid overwhelming your skin with several new formulations at once.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
If you relied on a lightweight moisturiser throughout summer, autumn could be the time to switch to a thicker formula. As the air dries out, you may need the additional hydration heavy-duty moisturisers can provide — especially if you have dry skin. Try one containing hyaluronic acid to keep your skin soft, plump and glowing.
Opt for a Nourishing Cleanser
If your skin’s feeling dry, you may want to swap out your cleanser for something gentler and more nourishing. Using a mild cleansing lotion allows you to avoid harsh chemicals that could cause further drying and is gentle enough to be used all year round.
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
You can exfoliate two to three times a week to avoid a build-up of dead skin cells, but be sure to take it easy if your skin’s already feeling dry and sensitive. At this time of year, try a chemical exfoliant rather than a physical scrub, as this can help to protect your skin’s barrier. Exfoliants containing lactic acid are a great choice, known for their ability to hydrate the skin at the same time as exfoliating.
Try Jojoba Oil for Clogged Pores
Jojoba oil is extremely versatile on all skin types and is a nourishing moisturiser. It can also unclog pores thanks to its ability to mimic the skin’s natural moisturiser. The theory behind this is that jojoba oil soothes and moisturises the skin, signalling to the body that it doesn’t need to produce additional sebum for hydration. Without the pores getting clogged by excess sebum, breakouts should become less frequent.
Always Apply Sunscreen
Get into the habit of applying sun care products every day, no matter what time of year it is. By incorporating SPF into your daily skincare routine and ensuring it stays there, you will better protect your skin in the long term.
Ease off on the Central Heating
It’s not just outside air that can cause skin problems in autumn. Central heating also reduces moisture in the air, causing your skin to become drier, tighter and potentially more sensitive. If you’re able to ease off on the central heating and layer up with knitwear and blankets instead, you’ll be doing your skin a favour.
Invest in a Humidifier
Another of our autumn skincare tips is to invest in a humidifier for your home. If you need your heating on most of the time, a humidifier can combat the lack of moisture in the air and make your home environment more forgiving on the skin.
Lock in Moisture with a Facial Oil
Drier skin types may benefit from using facial oils to give the skin an extra boost of nutrients, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. This Safflower Face Oil recipe could help regenerate and moisturise dry and damaged skin, so it should fit perfectly into your autumn skincare routine.
Treat Yourself to a Face Mask
As the weather turns miserable and you find yourself spending more time inside, autumn is the perfect time for a spot of pampering. A hydrating face mask can help to fix post-summer skin and prepare your face for the harsher winter months to come, balancing your skin and replacing any lost moisture.
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