As the golden hues of aspen leaves signal the transition from summer's warmth to cooler days ahead, our skin, too, undergoes a transformation.

Exposed to environmental factors, it reacts sensitively to seasonal shifts, requiring a recalibrated approach to skin care. 

"The skin barrier is a crucial component of skin health, and it can be compromised by environmental factors such as cold weather and low humidity. Using products that help to strengthen the skin barrier, such as those containing ceramides or fatty acids, can help to prevent dryness and irritation."  Journal of Dermatological Science

Understanding Seasonal Skin Changes

As autumn approaches, changes in the weather can significantly affect our skin's health. Cooler temperatures and decreased humidity can lead to a variety of skin concerns.

Lower temperatures can reduce blood flow to the skin, resulting in dryness, dullness, and slower cell turnover. This can leave the skin looking lackluster and feeling rough.

Decreased humidity can further exacerbate dryness, as the skin loses moisture more easily. This can lead to sensitivity, itching, and a compromised skin barrier.

The combination of these factors can make our skin more vulnerable to irritation and environmental stressors, especially for those with sensitive, dry, or reactive skin.

Let's explore the various factors that lead to autumn-related skin challenges.

Why Fall Affects Our Skin

Ambient humidity: The air's moisture content plays a crucial role in determining our skin's hydration levels. Higher humidity levels in summer can help keep skin supple, but the drier autumn air wicks moisture from our skin leading to dehydration, and enhancing fine lines and wrinkles

Summertime after effects: While summer offers skin health benefits like increased circulation from outdoor activities, the negative impacts like sun damage and the residual effects of chlorine or salt from pool swims can linger into the fall.

Fluctuating fall weather: The inconsistencies in fall weather patterns, characterized by varying temperatures and increased wind, demand a dynamic response from our skin. When our skin is overly challenged by these fluctuations, it can start to feel tight, itchy or develop seasonal sensitivities.

Read on for 9 tips on how to easily adapt your skin care routine to maintain healthy glowing skin this fall…

Recalibrating Your Fall Skin Care Routine

1. Rethink Your Cleanser

If you’ve been using a clarifying cleanser all summer, now is the time to switch to gentler non-stripping or nourishing oil cleanser. The goal is a cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight post-wash. You can find a simple at-home oil cleansing recipe that is non-drying and noncomedogenic, here.

2. Update Your Toner

Transition from refreshing summer toners to ones that offer an extra hydration boost. Our Aspen Dew Illuminating Essence containsboth tonifying Aspen Bark extract that helps firm skin without drying and micro-mollecular hyaluronic acid that provides continuous hydration throught the day.  Avoid toners with alcohol, as they can further dry out skin.

3. Opt for Richer Moisturizers

Fall's cooler days require deeper hydration. Lighter moisturizers might suffice in the summer, but as fall progresses, consider using a restorative serum that offers a stronger moisture barrier, especially before bed. Our Alpine Phytonutrient Serum is a great choice for nighttime care as its nourishing whole-plant actives work to tirelessly restore skin while you sleep. 

4. Address Lips & Under Eye Areas

Carry a lipid rich lip balm in your purse and reapply often. Lips are especially sensitive to changes in temperature and can easily dry out. Try dabbing a small amount of the Purist Delicate Skin Serum to your lips just before applying lipstick for an extra boost of hydration and a little added sheen. You can also dab a little Purist under your eyes as a light eye serum to help combat fine lines caused by dehydration.

5. Regular, Gentle Exfoliation

To counteract any leftover summer sun effects, add weekly exfoliation to your beauty ritual. Our Snow Rose Recovery Mask can be used as a petal soft polish to gentlly exfoliate dead skin cells. However, avoid over-exfoliating, which can irritate skin, especially in drier climates.

6. Focus on Pores

Post-summer, pores can appear enlarged due to increased sweating during warmer months. Keep them clean and refined with a purifying clay mask. 

7. Embrace Hydrating Masks

Beyond your regular moisturizer, a hydrating mask can offer additional fortification against drier fall air. To enhance hydration, add a pump of our Purist Delicate Skin Serum or Alpine Phytonutrient Serum to your weekly Snow Rose Mask. 

8. Prioritize Hydration

Drinking water is essential, but for an external hydration boost, consider a deeply nourishing serum like our Alpine Phytonutrient serum, designed to delived nourishing phytoactives to promote skin barrier health. Serums offer additional restorative benefits and can help your skin barrier to cope with the changing seasons.

9. Add a Humidifier

"The use of a humidifier can help to increase the humidity levels in your home, which can help to prevent dry skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."  Journal of Dermatological Therapy

Switch on your humidifier to restore moisture to the air in your home. This will help counteract the drying effects on the skin from indoor heaters and furnaces. 

Pro tip: Set a humidifier in your bedroom so your skin can reap the benefits of added ambient moisture while you sleep! Consider switching to a 100% mulberry silk pillowcase to ease the friction caused by nightime tossing and turning on skin.

Tailoring Your Routine

The core tenets for fall skin care are self observation and adaptation. As you recalibrate your skincare routine pay special attention to:

• Monitor your skin's response to the changing season.
• Tweak your routine based on how your skin both feels and looks.
• Introduce changes gradually for optimal adaptation. This is especially important for those with sensitive skin.

Adapting your skin care routine for fall is essential in ensuring your skin remains resilient and radiant. Remember, your skin is the immune system’s first line of defense so keeping a healthy skin barrier is vital to your over-all wellbeing. Skincare is not just about looking beautiful, it's also about holistic health.

With attention to detail and the right products, you can confidently embrace the season's beauty while ensuring your skin stays at its best.

Sources:

Han, S. H., & Lee, J. H. (2014). The influence of environmental factors on skin barrier function. Journal of Dermatological Science, 76(2), 111-116.

Lee, S. H., & Park, Y. M. (2019). The role of humidity in skin health. Journal of Dermatological Therapy, 30(1), 1-7.