It’s that time of year again: the leaves are falling, there’s a nip in the air, and your skin has let rip with an eruption of pimples and dry spots. Yep, it’s that time when skincare gets serious – and a little complicated. But fear not! By following some simple tips to manage your complexion now you can get through this tricky time unscathed. You see, the same elements that cause havoc on our skin — high humidity, fluctuating temperature, and stress — are also prime triggers for acne. So rather than cursing Mother Nature for turning against us all at once, we decided to use our new-found knowledge to our advantage. After all, knowing what goes into keeping our complexions camera-ready will help us make peace with our pores.
Give your skincare routine a shake-up
A good skincare routine is critical, but you don’t have to stick to one formula throughout the year. The products you use will depend on several factors, including your skin type, length of your skincare routine and seasonal changes. During fall and winter, skin is robbed of its natural oils, becoming dry and dehydrated. So, unless you have oily skin, you’re going to have to up the hydration factor in your skincare routine, adding an extra moisturizer to your daily regimen. And if you do have oily skin, your skincare routine will likely be a little less intense this time of year. If you notice you’re experiencing more breakouts than usual, you might want to consider upping your skincare game even more by adding a couple of products to your daily regimen.
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
A good exfoliating cleanser or mask once a week will help keep pores clean and unclogged, which will help prevent breakouts. More importantly, it’ll help to slough off the dead cells from your skin’s surface, revealing the soft, new cells underneath. This essentially means you’ll be able to apply your skincare products more effectively. Be sure to use a scrub with gentle granules (ideally made with natural ingredients) and avoid scrubbing too hard or you could end up damaging your skin instead! If you have oily or combination skin, avoid exfoliating too often since it can leave your skin overly dry and flaky. If you have normal to dry skin, you can exfoliate every other week. And if you have dry skin, it’s best to exfoliate once a month, or once every two months if you have sensitive skin. If you’re worried about visible dry patches, you can try adding a gentle moisturizing scrub to your skincare routine as well. Be sure to use this at least once a week.
Layering is key
During winter, our skin requires a lot more TLC than it does during other times of the year. During this season, you’ll want to layer on your skincare products to protect your skin from harmful elements — like UV damage, dryness, and cold weather — while simultaneously feeding it with moisture. If you’re concerned about rough patches on your skin, you can apply a generous amount of a hydrating cream or serum followed by a moisturizing balm or moisturizing mask. This will help to soothe and repair your skin, as well as prep it for the rest of your skincare products. Once these products have soaked in, you can move on to your next layer of skincare, such as your sunscreen and makeup products.
Don’t neglect your eyebrows and lashes
Your eyebrows and lashes are often overlooked when it comes to skincare. But as soon as fall rolls around, you might notice that your eyebrows are looking a little less lush and a little sparser. That’s because, according to experts, the air gets drier as the seasons change, which can lead to less lush brows. So don’t be afraid to amp up your skincare routine and give your brows some love. To keep your brows in tip-top shape, try applying a brow serum every night before bed. Be sure to clean your face, eyebrows, and eyelashes before you go to bed every night.
Bring on the hydration
As we mentioned above, fall and winter are the seasons when our skin is most at risk for getting overly dry. But you don’t have to let your skin go thirsty year-round. Instead, you can hydrate it in a targeted way with targeted skincare products. Simply add a hydrating serum or moisturizing face mask to your skincare routine during these seasons. And remember to hydrate your skin from the inside out as well! Drinking water, eating lots of fruits, and veggies, and exercising regularly can help keep your skin healthy and moisturized all year round.
Conclusion
The same elements that caused havoc on our skin during fall and winter — high humidity, fluctuating temperature, and stress — are also prime triggers for acne. And with a little knowledge on how to manage your complexion, you’re sure to come out on top. So go ahead and give your skincare routine a shake-up, focus on layering your skincare products, and bringing on the hydration. Then, as the leaves change colors and fall ends, your skin will be ready to shine.