The hot, hot heat of summer is officially a thing of the past, well, until next year. By now, we’ve traded our lightweight summer staples for cozy knits, leather jackets and everything else that makes getting dressed for fall exciting. But while switching out our wardrobes is practically second nature, our skincare routines deserve that same seasonal attention. After all, the products that kept our skin glowing through summer might not be enough to carry us through the colder months.
Some cleansers do the basic job of cleaning the skin, but at the cost of completely stripping it. Everything that goes against a fall skincare pick. The Active Renewal cleanser from Vintner’s Daughter is not that kind of product. This cream formula is as luxurious as it is hydrating. The advanced formula dissolves both water and oil-based residue so you can skip the double cleanse all together. What’s left is a hydrated, balanced face that’s ready for the next step in the routine.
Price: $105
“It is important to switch up our skincare routines as we head into the fall and winter seasons because the temperature gets cooler, causing the air and skin to become drier,” says Morayo Adisa, MD, FAAD, medical director at Dermatology Physicians Chicago. “Indoor heating also adds to this drying effect. To counter these effects, it is prudent to switch to a skincare regimen that appropriately addresses these changes.”
When thinking of what to add to the perfect fall lineup, hydrating products are at the top of the list. This facial mist is the perfect step after cleansing and is infused with plant hydrosols (aka the floral waters left behind after fresh flowers or other plants are distilled). This mist in particular is great for calming inflammation, balancing skin, and boosting hydration.
Price: $78
For those of us with melanin-rich skin, maintaining moisture becomes especially important as temperatures drop. Dryness and ashiness can become more noticeable, while an irritated skin barrier can make existing concerns like hyperpigmentation even more difficult to manage. And although the temptation to exfoliate away every trace of summer might be strong, keeping your complexion healthy is less about doing the most and more about giving your skin what it actually needs.
Many people see the fall as the season for skin resets after a summer in the sun. However, diving head first into a series of peels and harsh exfoliants isn’t the best move here. Gentle is always best, and the G.M. Collin Peel Toner Exfoliant gets the job done without disrupting or drying out the skin barrier. Although it’s formulated with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, it works to gently remove dead skin and refine the texture while also hydrating and soothing with aloe vera.
Price: $78
The thing is, transitioning your skincare routine from summer to fall makes a lot of sense, even if you’ve never done it before. Just keep in mind that the process doesn’t need to be complicated or require a complete overhaul of the products already sitting on your bathroom counter. Sometimes, a few thoughtful adjustments can make all the difference.
Are you sick of the hydration talk yet? Well, lock in because the show isn’t over. This 2-in-1 serum stick helps to lock in up to 100 hours of hydration. Fox is a big fan of adding products with ceramides, lipids and fatty acids. This pick happens to be packed with ceramides to help maintain the skin barrier, squalane to hydrate, and chamomile to calm and comfort the skin among other ingredients.
Price: $38
“Make smart swaps,” says Melissa Fox, celebrity master esthetician and founder of Flawless by Melissa Fox in Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. “A super-light gel moisturizer might become a more nourishing formula with ceramides, lipids and fatty acids. Add hydration before automatically adding more exfoliation.”
Fox also sees fall as a time to ready invest in a good vitamin A product. “I love modern retinal and lipid-encapsulated vitamin A formulas because we can get beautiful results without making the skin miserable,” she says. “Peeling and irritation aren’t badges of honor. You don’t have to wreck your barrier to get results.” This evening product features an encapsulated vitamin A that aims to work in tandem with the skin’s nighttime repair cycle. It helps to accelerate cell turnover for a smooth texture while minimizing irritation usually associated with vitamin A because of this slow release technology.
Price: $149
That means reaching for richer moisturizers, incorporating hydrating serums and being a little more intentional about how often you’re using active ingredients. And yes, sunscreen is still very much part of the conversation. Just because the sun is setting earlier doesn’t mean UV protection gets to take the season off.
All of this talk about hydration would be pointless without the proper moisturizers to lock everything in. Dr. Adisa is a fan of rich non-comedogenic moisturizers once fall rolls around. This moisture cream offers three layers of skin protection. Ceramides help seal in hydration, it’s formulated to protect against harmful UV rays, and it works to guard against environmental pollution as well as harsh weather.
Price: $80
We’re firmly in autumn, and it’s only going to get cooler from here. Whether your skin is feeling a little tighter than usual or you’re simply looking to give your routine a seasonal refresh, we’ve rounded up some smart yet luxe skincare picks to help keep your complexion hydrated, balanced and glowing well into winter.
If you live in a place where a radiator is a home-heating staple, combating dryness outside and inside is something you’re familiar with. That’s when a mask can offer up a little extra TLC when it comes to sealing in hydration. This mask infuses water inside of the skin and helps to keep it on the surface using Hyalurofix, a cationized hyaluronic acid. Along with a fermented gentian extract, it expertly fortifies the skin barrier.
Price: $270