Summer is on its way out and naturally, you start digging through your closet for warm autumn clothes. But did you take care of your skin?
Hot, humid air and sweat make your skin oily, and in the summer we use products with a light texture to keep it oil-free. In the autumn a greasier cream will only clog pores and lead to breakouts and pimples.
When summer ends, however, and fall comes the air becomes drier and colder. Then skin conditions such as eczema, dandruff and psoriasis worsen and the skin becomes dry and more sensitive. Redness and itching appear.
Fortunately, you can avoid all of this with the right cosmetics.
Why is my skin so dry in autumn?
In the fall and especially in the winter, low humidity levels, cooler weather, hot showers and space heaters dry out the skin and damage the skin barrier.
When the skin barrier is disrupted, the skin becomes sensitive, leading to cracks in its outer layer, loss of hydration, and eventually inflammation.
Hydration is crucial to soothe these negative seasonal effects on the skin.
Here`s what changes to make in the different steps of your skin care routine:
1. Cleaning products
Cleansing gels and foams stop overproduction of sebum and are a real gift in summer. But when fall comes, the skin dries itself out and such products can cause more irritation than help cleansing the skin.
Instead, choose a gentle cleanser with a creamy formula that will cleanse the skin without irritating it.
2. Moisturizing face cream
On summer days, a light lotion or toner may be enough to keep skin moisturized and supple, but as soon as the temperature drops, this should change. Keeping the skin hydrated is a basic rule of care in winter.
To build protection against dry skin, choose a rich moisturizer. Ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides and niacin ensure a well-hydrated skin as well as a healthy skin barrier.
For the driest skin types and those with eczema and psoriasis, choose creams and ointments containing petroleum jelly.
To help your skin absorb the cream as well as possible, use the following method, often used by dermatologists:
After washing your skin, pat it on with gentle movements without drying it out completely. Apply face cream while the skin is still damp to retain as much moisture as possible.
3. Facial serums
If you want to further nourish your skin, apply a hydrating serum before your face cream. This will give your skin an extra dose of hydration and help it recover as quickly as possible for beautiful, plump skin.
4. Sun protection
UVA rays - the long wavelengths of sunlight that penetrate the skin`s dermis, breaking down collagen and elastin, contributing to sun spots, sagging skin and wrinkles - dominate the winter months.
Because of the colder temperatures, it`s harder to feel the impact of the rays on your skin, which can lead to serious sun damage without you even noticing.
During the cooler months, it`s important to choose a sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum”, as SPF only refers to protection against UVB, not UVA light.
5. Exfoliation and masks
During the colder months, avoid masks and exfoliants with excessively large particles as they can further dry and damage the skin. If you do want to exfoliate dead skin, do it once a week with a fine exfoliant that won`t irritate the skin too much.
6. Lip care
If you think your lips don`t need extra care in autumn and winter, you`re wrong. To avoid dry and chapped lips, use a lip balm with petroleum jelly that will protect them from the cold, soften and nourish them.
