AUTUMN SKINCARE: UPDATE YOUR ROUTINE FOR COLD WEATHER

ADD IN AN EYE CREAM 

There’s a reason your eye area is so susceptible to signs of ageing, under-eye bags, or discolouration. The skin around your eyes is thinner – much thinner – than the rest of the skin on your face. As a result, it needs special protection, particularly in harsh weather. An eye cream can help smooth out lines around the eyes and often comes infused with ingredients that provide an instant brightening or de-puffing effect. As eye skin is so delicate, your cream doesn’t need to be extra-heavy or rich: instead, look for ingredients like peptides and caffeine to help keep you looking bright-eyed and rested, even in the darkest months of the year.

CONTINUE EXFOLIATING BUT BE SMART ABOUT IT

It may seem counterintuitive to do anything ‘harsh’ to your skin in fall and winter. But done the right way, exfoliation is key to keeping your skin healthy, and can even help make your moisturiser more effective. By clearing away dead skin cells (which build up faster in colder months), you’re clearing the way for skincare ingredients to reach the living skin cells that need them. Careful not to overdo it, though: twice a week is enough. You may want to cut back on certain exfoliating or anti-ageing ingredients like retinoids or glycolic acid, which can make skin more prone to irritation in general. If you do want to continue using these ingredients, be sure to follow them with a lipid-rich moisturiser to help protect your skin barrier. 

DON’T STOP USING SUNSCREEN

UV rays are present all year round, even on cloudy, overcast days. Sun or no sun, you should always wear a broad-spectrum SPF, even if you’re staying inside all day. (UVs come through windows, too!) Though you may think of sunscreen as strictly poolside protection, it’s best to think of it as one of the most powerful anti-ageing skincare products out there instead. In other words, it should always be a part of your daily routine. 

ELIMINATE DRY SKIN BEHAVIOURS

Certain habits actually encourage dry skin. Exfoliation, for example, can help your skin better absorb moisturiser—but exfoliate too often, and you risk wearing away your skin’s protective lipid barrier. Hot showers are another common dry skin culprit: while it’s tempting to turn the water temperature up when it gets cold, doing so strips away your skin’s natural oils. If you’re particularly prone to dryness or irritation, you may want to avoid products that contain alcohol or fragrance. One useful tip from Dr. Shasa Hu, MD, FAAD: apply moisturiser right out of the shower, after your skin is just barely towel-dried. “When moisturiser is applied to damp skin, there’s greater absorption of humectants. Look for products that are fragrance-free, formulated for sensitive skin, and contain at least 2-3 known hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, squalene, ceramide, glycerin, lipids, natural oils and sealants such as shea butter, moringa oil, dimethicone, petrolatum and allantoin.” 

SOOTHE YOUR SENSITIVE SKIN

If your skin is already sensitive, chances are you’ll need to give it extra care come fall. The best way to do that is to keep it hydrated. Ingredients like elastin, collagen, and aloe can help replenish your skin’s moisture, as can using products that encourage a balanced skin microbiome. 

BOOK A FACIAL

Facials offer plenty of beauty benefits – from increased lymphatic drainage to deep pore cleansing, to a boost of hydration that helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Fall and winter are perfect seasons to try adding a monthly facial to your routine. Aesthetic benefits aside, they can help you manage the stress that often comes with the holidays. 

ADD VITAMIN C TO YOUR REGIMEN

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Applied topically, it can help repair free-radical damage while lightening dark spots for an overall brighter, more even skin tone. And of course, a diet rich in Vitamin C will not only help stave off winter colds—it can help give you better skin. How? Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis in the body, keeping your skin looking plump and youthful.