How to Change Your Skin Care for Fall

Finally officially autumn! Time for pumpkin-infused everything, cozy knit sweaters, and of course, a skincare reboot. After several months of lying in the sun (we hope it was fully protected), now is the perfect time to drop in on you. skin after summer and evaluate how he is currently doing and what he needs to prepare for the new, cooler season. To help you find the best way choose autumn skin care, we turned to board certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Dhawal Bhanusali. Ahead, we share his tips on how to easily change your skin care from summer to autumn. 

TIP 1: Assess sun damage

According to Dr. Bhanusali, summer is coming to an end and autumn is a great time to plan your annual skin check of the whole body. You'll want to make sure that your fun in the sun doesn't lead to too many consequences. We can't say enough, but the best way to stay active and prevent side effects like premature signs of aging and skin cancer is to apply (and reapply) sunscreen every time you're out in the sun. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and wear it every day, regardless of the temperature outside. Sunscreen is one product that everyone should wear every day of the year, regardless of your age, skin type, or tone.

Tip 2: Focus on hydration 

“I recommended moisturizing more often in the fall, especially after getting out of the shower,” says Bhanusali. He also notes that using a moisturizer immediately after cleansing is the best time to do so because it helps lock in the hydration provided by the water. If you like your shower to be hot (as most of us do when temperatures start to drop), Dr. Bhanusali advises you to limit it to five minutes or less. "Your skin barrier won't be that safe," he explains. "You risk stripping your skin of good oils, which can lead to dryness."

While summer is all about light hydration and less is more, fall is a time when you want to use more emollient formulas in your skincare. “Replace a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer with something thicker,” recommends Dr. Bhanusali. "If you have particularly dry skin, using a product containing hyaluronic acid may be helpful in boosting facial hydration." Consider using CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for its rich yet non-greasy formula. 

Tip 3: Swap out your summer skincare for fall products

Detergent: 

If you're experiencing dry skin in the fall, consider swapping out your current facial cleanser for a cleansing balm that will help keep your skin hydrated while removing dirt and impurities. We recommend IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm. This 3-in-1 cleansing balm contains hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to provide deep cleansing without stripping skin of moisture. 

Toner: 

While you may have used toners in the summer to help balance your skin's pH after many trips to swimming pools with chlorinetry replacing this toner with a Korean skincare staple: essence. These moisturizing skin care products will help prepare the skin for further skin care routines. We love Kiehl's Iris Extract Activating Essence because it hydrates the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and improving the radiance of your face. 

Exfoliators: 

We know you've probably wanted to keep your tan (which you hopefully got bottled) for as long as possible throughout the summer, which means you may have been missing out on regular exfoliation. We understand this very well, but now is the time to add exfoliation to your routine. Remove any dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and help make it look brighter and more youthful. While you can choose between a mechanical or chemical exfoliator, be sure to exfoliate no more than 1-3 times a week and remember to always moisturize your skin afterwards. 

Retinol: 

Now that summer is over, it's time to add retinol to your daily skincare routine. Usually, retinol makes the skin very sensitive to the sun, so you may have treated this anti-aging ingredient with caution. But now that temperatures are dropping and the sun is hiding more often, feel free to reintroduce retinol into your skincare routine this fall.