Switching Up Your Skincare For Autumn

As the seasons change, so too should your skincare routine. The transition from summer to autumn, as temperatures start to cool, isn’t just about updating our wardrobes (hello knitwear) but also our skincare. In the summer, skin is more likely to be oily and acne-prone due to the heat and humidity. However, as the weather cools down, our skin can become drier and more prone to flaking. No thank you.

We tapped Dr. Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist at Self London, to find exactly what we should (and shouldn’t) be doing as we switch up our skincare for autumn. Here’s what she had to say.

DO Make Some Changes If Your Skin Feels Dehydrated

Whether or not you switch up your skincare routine during the summer to autumn season is entirely dependent on your own personal skin type. Most people will find that they can carry on using their usual skincare routine with no negative effects. However, if you notice that your skin is perhaps a little more dehydrated than normal, there are some measures you can introduce to ensure your skin stays healthy.

DO Pay Attention To Areas Prone To Dryness

As the weather begins to cool our use of central heating increases. The quick change from cold outside conditions to warm conditions inside can cause skin dehydration in some people. This can manifest in drier patches in certain areas of the face – around the corners of the nose is a common one. Lips also tend to become a lot drier too.

DO Add Moisture-Boosting Products

For dehydrated skin I would recommend looking for humectant-based serums such as a hyaluronic acid serum. Vichy does a great one. Layering this underneath your sunscreen in the morning and your skincare at night can help with transepidermal water loss which in turn can help keep your skin barrier healthy. Hydrating masks can also be beneficial for an added moisture boost at this time of year.

DON’T Overuse Products

The cooler months are a good time to introduce certain products i.e. retinoids and/or acids, but a lot of people go overboard with how much they throw at their skin at once. Start with one active ingredient and wait until your skin is tolerating this well before thinking about introducing any other products. If in doubt, start low (in terms of %) and go slow.

DO Invest In a Lip Balm

Keep an emollient and occlusive-based lip balm on you at all times. Our lips are extremely prone to drying out as they’re the thinning part of our skin. I personally like and use the Dr. Lipp Nipple Balms for lips. It does a great job of creating a barrier between your lips and the colder winter weather.

Shop Our Edit Of The Best Skincare Staples To Take You From Summer To Autumn