Bye-bye bikinis, it’s time to jump boots first into crisp walks and pumpkin spice lattes. As the leaves change and the air becomes cooler, your skin will also be adjusting to the seasonal shift. Just as we have seasonal scents, seasonal skincare is a thing too. This is our guide on how to autumn-proof your skin so that dry, cold air doesn’t result in a dry, dull complexion.
Adapting Your Skincare Routine for Autumn
What Happens to Your Skin During the Colder Months?
If you ever notice your skin feeling drier, tighter or even flaky as the season changes, that’s extremely common. As autumn sets in, the drop in humidity can cause your skin to lose moisture. Cooler temperatures and indoor heating systems also have their play at stripping our skin of its natural oils, making it more prone to irritation and sensitivity. For these reasons, when we’re talking about skincare for cold weather, two words are always in conversation: hydration and protection.
Seasonal skincare tips
Hydration is Key: Best Practices for Moisture Retention
In cold weather, your skincare routine will need extra hydration. When the air is dry, your skin craves moisture, so layering hydrating products is essential. Start with a hydrating serum, rich in ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which draw moisture into the skin. Follow with a hydrating face cream that locks in moisture to keep your skin plump and radiant throughout the day.
For those with dry or sensitive skin, this may well be the best of our cold-weather skincare hacks: use an ultra-rich, thicker cream to boost hydration while you sleep. Whilst you don’t want greasy skin during the day, night is the perfect time to soak up moisture. Products like Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream or Clarins Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Night Cream are a great choice for this.
Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation is an essential step in autumn, especially if you’re building a skincare routine for dry skin. By buffing away dead skin cells, you allow your skincare products to penetrate more deeply. However, since your skin can be more sensitive during colder months, opt for a gentle exfoliator. Exfoliating 2-3 times a week can keep your skin smooth without over-stripping it. Chemical exfoliants like ESPA Tri-Active Regenerating Cellular Renewal Liquid Exfoliator are a great option, as they’re effective yet gentle enough for regular use.
Autumn Skincare Picks for Glowing Skin
We can’t depend on the sun to give us that gorgeous glow anymore, we need to work a little harder. So, here are our top picks for adding a boost of radiance to your seasonal skincare routine.
Moisturisers for Deep Hydration
A great moisturiser should be the foundation of any autumn skincare routine. Opt for one that offers deep hydration and nourishment. For a daily moisturiser, we recommend Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator or Neal's Yard Remedies Facial Moisturisers Rejuvenating Frankincense Hydrating Cream, both of which provide long-lasting hydration while soothing sensitive skin.
Serums for Enhanced Radiance
Serums are a great way to tailor your skincare routine to what your skin is craving. If you feel like your face loses colour or seems dull during autumn, serums packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C can help brighten your complexion and protect your skin from environmental damage. Murad Serums & Treatments Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum is an excellent choice for boosting your glow and evening-out skin tone during the colder months.
SPF – Yes, Even in Autumn!
Just because the weather is cooler doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen. Pesky UV rays can still penetrate the clouds and cause our skin damage, so applying SPF is a must year-round (even with your winter skincare!). Opt for a lightweight sunscreen like Murad SPF Environmental Shield: City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF50 to protect your skin without feeling heavy or greasy.
Nourish Your Skin from Within
Healthy skin isn’t just about the products you use—it’s also about what you put into your body. Here’s how to nourish your skin from within this season.
Vitamin D Supplements
With less sunlight in autumn, your body produces less Vitamin D, which is vital for maintaining healthy skin. Consider adding a Vitamin D supplement like Bioglan VitaGummies Vitamin D3 to your routine to retain radiance.
Stay Hydrated
Though we’re no longer gasping for a glug on a hot sunny day, staying hydrated is the ultimate skincare hack for glowing skin. Drinking plenty of water helps your skin stay plump and moisturised from the inside out. Herbal teas and soups are also great ways to increase your fluid intake during autumn.
Eat Foods Rich in Antioxidants
While you may be craving comfort food, it’s important to keep eating lots of colourful, antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants help to reduce inflammation and support the skin's barrier function, keeping it hydrated and reducing redness or flakiness. Great examples are foods like berries, nuts, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes.
Find Your Perfect Autumn Skincare Routine
From rich moisturisers to gentle exfoliators, the right products can make all the difference as the weather changes, and we’ve got so many more options to discover. Find the perfect products for you with our full skincare collection here.
