Everyone's favourite season is fast approaching and while it's serving as an unwelcome reminder of just how fast this year is going, there's some good news. It's time for autumn skincare (cue applause), and no this isn't a ploy to get you to spend more money on your face...
I've always swapped out my skincare whenever the seasons begin to change. In the summer, my skin leans oilier and so I turn to lighter moisturisers and cleansers that I know will prove effective when it comes to removing oil, sweat, and sunscreen from my skin. In the winter, my skin is much more prone to dryness and dehydration so requires thicker creams, gentle cleansers, and tactical layering of hydrating products to support my skin barrier.
It's not just a personal preference either—as an esthetician, I always remind my clients that the environment is one of the biggest factors impacting their skin. Taking a seasonal approach to your skincare routine is the best way to keep your skin balanced, healthy, and happy all year round.
Now don't worry, this doesn't mean you need a totally new skincare routine four times a year, but a few select swaps as the season changes can make all the difference. Keep on reading for the best products to add to your autumn skincare routine.
SKINCARE PRODUCTS TO SWAP IN FOR AUTUMN:
1. Nourishing Cleansers
A gel cleanser in the summer gave us the refreshing wash and deep cleanse that our skin needed. But, as we shift seasons, it's time to put the foaming cleansers to the side and opt for something richer. Thick cream cleansers, oils, and balms will still make light work of makeup removal, but will melt away impurities (no scrubbing required) so skin feels soothed and nourished after cleansing.
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Perfect for a morning cleanse because it's so gentle and nourishing, this cleanser has a thick, cream texture—it honestly feels like a moisturiser. Skin is left soft and calm, just how it should be.
This cleansing balm is such a joy to use—it feels and smells amazing. The initially thick texture quickly melts into a light, silky oil (again, no scrubbing required), and then with the addition of water, easily emulsifies into a gentle milky solution. Makeup, oil, and SPF doesn't stand a chance, but your skin barrier is supported throughout the cleansing process thanks to nourishing ingredients like grapeseed oil and sandalwood seed oil, which help calm the skin.
The second step in a double cleanse is where you need something water-based to remove any oily residue and give skin a deeper cleanse. The mistake I see a lot of people make is reaching for something too harsh and abrasive, but this cleanser is a perfect middle ground. It has a thick gel texture which doesn't foam, but does contain a tiny amount of mandelic acid (a very gentle chemical exfoliant) to remove dead skin and other potential congestants.
2. Gentle Exfoliation
Speaking of exfoliation, you're going to want to incorporate some gentle exfoliation into your routine on a regular basis. For most people, a once-weekly exfoliation will suffice in removing stubborn build up, smoothing rough texture, and brightening uneven skin tone, without stripping the skin barrier.
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Don't make the mistake in thinking that this gritty powder should be applied directly to skin. Instead, mix it with water and use a brush to whip it into a light foam. Enzymes provide an effective exfoliation, but are much gentler to skin than acids or abrasive scrubs.
Featuring a cocktail of chemical exfoliants (including lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, and gluconolactone), this mask is perfect for brightening and boosting skin that looks dull or lacklustre.
The next best thing to a professional peel—but minus the downtime, these pads come pre-soaked in an expertly-formulated blend of acids. Simply swipe over skin to target everything from dull skin to breakouts, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.
3. Serum Upgrades
Serums are potent blends of active ingredinets designed to target your specific skin concerns. When choosing one, consider what your main skincare goal is. Need a boost in the glow department? Look for brightening ingredients. Same goes for if you've noticed more pigmentation after a few months in the sun, look out for a serum that will target that. Or if you know your skin always becomes more dry and sensitive in the colder months, reach for something to support your skin barrier.
Only you (and if you see a dermatologist or aesthetician) know your skin best, so always use serums that work with your individual skin's needs, rather than the latest buzzy ingredient.
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Antioxidants help to shield skin from environmental damage caused by pollution and UV rays, so while they're recommended to use all year round, they're perfect for repairing your post-summer skin come autumn. This advanced formula delivers seriously impressive results when it comes to brightening and smoothing skin, and reducing signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation.
If you're prone to hyperpigmentation or dark spots, you may have noticed these flare up over the summer thanks to increased UV exposure. This cult serum is formulated to work on all types of dark spots (sun, acne, melasma, age) and is free from exfoliating acids and vitamin C, so is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive.
Skin prone to sensitivity and redness? This soothing solution works by forming a “barrier-like” layer on skin to help protect from irritants and promote better skin recovery.
4. Thick Moisturisers
As autumn weather can take its toll, repairing the skin's barrier is the name of the game. Switching your moisturisers from light gels to thicker creams will give your skin the chance to repair and restore post-summer, but will also work with the cold weather symptoms of irritation and dryness too.
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If you're concerned about thicker creams causing congestion and breakouts, don't be. These days there are plenty of advanced formulas that deliver moisture and nourish skin without these unwanted side effects. A case in point, this ceramide-packed moisturiser which intensely hydrates skin and supports the skin barrier without leaving a greasy residue.
Formulated to support the natural processes of skin repair that happen overnight, this thick cream is powered by ingredients such as glycerin and squalane to restore and replenish skin's moisture levels. It has a deliciously soft pillow-like texture which makes it such a treat to apply.
Designed to be used day and night for deep hydration all around the clock, this cult moisturiser helps to boost collagen production as well as minimise the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and areas of sun damage. The texture is thick but non-greasy, so works well even for oily skin types.
5. SPF
Just because summer is over doesn't mean you should be setting aside your sunscreen. UV rays are present even on cloudy days so while you may not see or feel the effects of them, they're still causing inflammation and cell damage. Whether you opt for a gel, cream, or serum solution, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen at all. Apply it liberally and remember to top up.
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True to its name, this weightless, silky formula feels so light on skin that you won't even know it's there. Applied as the final step in your morning skincare routine it makes a perfect base for makeup.
Unlike old-school sunscreen formulas, this gel-serum solution doesn't feel thick and greasy or leave a chalky white residue on the skin. What's more, it's boosted with hydrating and brightening ingredients like hyaluronic acid, kakadu plum, and vitamin E.
For those who subscribe to a 'no makeup makeup' look, this tinted sunscreen is perfect for evening out skintone, reducing redness, and giving skin an all-over glowy, healthy appearance. And at the same time it provides all-mineral broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection. Win, win.
