Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and an undeniable urge to refresh your wardrobe…and your skincare stash! As the temperatures drop and the air gets crisper, our skin starts to feel the effects of the seasonal shift. While we’re busy swapping sandals for boots and iced lattes for pumpkin spice, our skin is facing its own set of challenges. The drop in humidity, cooler winds, and shorter days can leave our complexion feeling dry, sensitive, and lacking that summer glow we’ve worked so hard to maintain.
But just like you’d layer up for chilly weather, your skin needs a little extra TLC to adapt to the changing season. Luckily, with a few thoughtful tweaks to your routine, you can keep your skin looking radiant and healthy, no matter what the weather throws your way.
Understanding the Seasonal Shift
Crisp fall air begins to replace the heat of summer, our skin experiences a dramatic shift that’s often hard to ignore. Cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels mean less moisture in the air, which can quickly deplete your skin’s hydration. The result? Skin that feels dry, tight, and uncomfortable. But that’s not all. As we retreat indoors to escape the chill, the dry heat from indoor heating systems can further aggravate the situation, drawing even more moisture from your skin and leaving it vulnerable to dehydration.
Without the proper care, your once smooth, glowing complexion can start to feel rough, sensitive, and anything but radiant. But don’t worry—understanding these seasonal challenges is the first step to keeping your skin happy and hydrated as we transition into the cooler months.
Revamp Your Cleansing Routine
The cooler weather, combined with indoor heating, can dry out your skin, making it crucial to opt for a cleanser that nourishes while it cleanses.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is a creamy, gentle cleanser packed with skin-loving ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help to cleanse the skin without disrupting its moisture balance. Users love CeraVe for its formula that effectively removes impurities while leaving the skin soft and hydrated. Plus, it’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.
Another standout for fall is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. This luxurious cream cleanser is perfect for those with sensitive or easily irritated skin, as it’s formulated with soothing thermal spring water and glycerin to hydrate while deeply protecting the skin’s barrier. Users rave about its lightweight, yet nourishing feel, and how it leaves their skin feeling plump and comfortable, not tight or dry. It’s also a dermatologist favorite for its minimalist formula that focuses on providing hydration without any harsh additives.
Boost Hydration with Moisturizers
This seasonal shift means it’s time to introduce richer, more hydrating formulas into your routine—especially those packed with powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin, which are known for their ability to attract and lock in moisture.
For those with drier skin or needing extra moisture as the temperatures drop, the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a fall favorite. Packed with ceramides, it works to restore and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, preventing moisture loss throughout the day. Its rich, non-greasy formula absorbs beautifully, leaving skin feeling soft, hydrated, and protected from fall dryness. Users rave about its long-lasting hydration and its ability to soothe dry, flaky patches, especially in harsher climates or after exposure to indoor heating.
Don’t forget to incorporate facial oils or overnight masks to really seal in that moisture. A budget-friendly option is The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil. This antioxidant-rich oil is loved for its ability to deeply hydrate and give the skin a dewy, glowing finish.
Exfoliate, But Not Too Much
Fall’s drier air can make your skin more prone to irritation, so instead of reaching for harsh physical scrubs, it’s best to opt for gentle chemical exfoliants like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) to keep your skin smooth without the risk of over-exfoliation.
One cult-favorite in this category is the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. This product has a dedicated following for a reason: its lightweight formula contains salicylic acid (BHA), which works to gently exfoliate the skin’s surface while also penetrating deep into the pores to clear out congestion and reduce blackheads. Customers love it for its ability to balance oil production, minimize the appearance of pores, and smooth rough patches.
For those looking for a gentle yet effective exfoliant, Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner, is a budget-friendly choice. This toner is formulated with glycolic acid, a highly effective AHA that helps to brighten the complexion and promote cell turnover, revealing fresher, more radiant skin. Users love it for its ability to refine skin texture and even out skin tone, making it particularly helpful for those dealing with hyperpigmentation or dullness. However, it’s important to use it just once or twice a week during the fall to avoid over-exfoliating and damaging the skin barrier.
Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Just because the sun isn’t blazing down during fall doesn’t mean you can ditch the sunscreen! UV rays are still very much present, even on overcast days, and they can contribute to premature aging and skin damage all year long. It’s important to choose sunscreens that not only protect your skin from harmful rays but also provide added hydration to keep your skin feeling soft and moisturized throughout the day.
Eight Saints Chasing the Sun SPF 30 is mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection and is packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe and jojoba oil to soothe and hydrate the skin. Users rave about its lightweight texture and non-greasy feel, praising how it leaves their skin feeling soft and protected without any white cast. It’s especially loved by those with dry or combination skin who want sun protection that doubles as a hydrating, lightweight moisturizer.
Update Your Nighttime Routine
Fall is the perfect season to step up your nighttime skincare routine with reparative treatments that work while you sleep. As the weather cools down, your skin can benefit from targeted ingredients like retinoids or peptides, which promote cell turnover, improve skin elasticity, and help combat signs of aging.
A great, budget-friendly option to try is The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane. This retinol serum combines the power of retinoids with the moisturizing benefits of squalane, making it a gentle yet effective choice for retinol beginners. Users love it for its ability to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and brighten dull complexions, all without the harsh irritation that often accompanies stronger retinol products. The added squalane keeps skin soft and hydrated, helping to prevent dryness or flaking as the retinol works its magic overnight.
For an extra boost of hydration during the night, consider adding a humidifier to your bedroom. By maintaining moisture in the air while you sleep, a humidifier helps prevent your skin from drying out, especially in the cooler months. Users find that using a humidifier makes a big difference in their skin’s overall hydration levels, leaving them with a fresh, dewy complexion when they wake up. Plus, it’s a simple, low-effort way to support your skin’s natural barrier and keep it feeling healthy as the seasons change.
Protect Your Lips and Hands
Lips and hands are often the first areas to show signs of dryness as fall settles in. The cooler weather, combined with drier air, can quickly lead to chapping, cracking, and discomfort in these areas.
An excellent lip option is the Eight Saints Lip Trick Lip Treatment. This nourishing treatment is packed with natural ingredients like beeswax, cocoa butter, and shea butter, which help to deeply hydrate and smooth the lips. Customers rave about how it not only softens dry lips but also gives a healthy, plump appearance, leaving lips looking fuller and more radiant. Plus, it provides long-lasting moisture without feeling sticky or heavy, making it a luxurious addition to your fall skincare routine.
When it comes to keeping your hands moisturized and protected, O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream is a top choice. This rich, non-greasy formula is designed to lock in moisture and provide lasting relief from even the most stubborn dryness. Many find that regular use of O’Keeffe’s keeps their hands feeling smooth and protected, even in the harshest conditions.
Today’s forecast says there’s a 100% percent chance I’ll buy another sweater…and some more skincare products.
By making a few thoughtful adjustments to your skincare routine, you can ensure your complexion is well-protected and nourished as the weather changes. Whether it’s swapping out lighter summer moisturizers for richer creams, using gentle exfoliants, or choosing hydrating sunscreens, these simple steps can make all the difference in keeping your skin balanced and radiant throughout the season.
Fall is the perfect time to focus on repair and renewal, and with the right products and practices, your skin will be well-prepared to take on the cooler months ahead. So, treat your skin with the care it deserves, and enjoy the transition into fall with confidence, knowing that your complexion will stay glowing and beautiful.
