As the summer comes to a close, we anticipate the cooler coming days—the sweaters and scarves, the changing leaves, the extra hour of sleep. But as we change into our autumnal wardrobes, it’s important that we change our skin care routine as well. The skin’s physiology takes major notice of the change in weather, and often appears looking duller and more tired.
Here are 5 simple ways to prepare your routine for the changing season:
1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Summer is naturally more humid than fall. Humidity helps to moisturize and protect the barrier of our skin. As the humidity drops, our skin either becomes dry, or begins overproducing sebum (an oily substance produced by the sebaceous gland). This can either lead to skin becoming way too dry, or too oily, leading to an influx of breakouts. The solution: use a hydrating moisturizer frequently. Pick something with a high concentration of Hyaluronic Acid, as the ingredient is known to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
2. Exfoliate twice per week
Our skin gets more sun exposure during the summer months. As a result of that, we tend to accumulate a buildup of dead skin cells. In preparing your skin for the changing weather, exfoliate twice per week to clear the skin of any impurities. Be sure to use a gentle exfoliator, as harsh ones with large particles can leave micro-tears in your skin.
3. Carry Hand Cream
Again, this time of year is particularly drying for our skin, and nothing is affected more than our hands. Fall also brings with it flu-season, which means we wash our hands more often. This, coupled with the dry air, makes hands feel brittle and dehydrated. Carry a deeply-moisturizing hand and cuticle cream, and apply as regularly as needed. Hands show age faster than any other part of our bodies, so it’s important to keep the well-nourished.
4. Keep Using Sunscreen
Despite the fact that the days are cooler and there is greater cloud coverage, sunscreen is still as important as ever. Beach season may be over, but sunscreen season isn’t. By skipping sunscreen on cloudy days, our skin is left vulnerable, often resulting in the most severe sunburns. If you live in regions that experience icy autumns and winters, sunscreen is equally important again, as the reflections from ice can inflict the same damage as the sun.
5. Eat more squash
Pumpkins and fall have become nearly synonymous. And while jack-o’-lanterns and lattes are certainly valid uses for pumpkins, eating them is likely more beneficial. Squash is a wonderful addition to your diet for a number of reasons, but it’s impact on skin health is really remarkable. Squash contains high levels of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A inside your body. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is one of the most effective nutrients we can give our skin, as it stimulates the production of new, healthy cells, and can be used for anything from acne to anti-aging treatments. So this season, do your skin a favor and try some new squash recipes.