Is your skin going through what seem like sudden changes and you can't quite put a finger on why this may be happening?

Consider this very probable culprit: the changing weather as the season shifts. Fall is here and with this season comes cooler and drier weather, which in turn causes your skin to also become dry, resulting in a myriad of other skin issues.

These skin issues include a weakened skin barrier, irritation, and heightened sensitivity. If you’re already starting to experience drier and more irritated skin due to the changing weather, try implementing the 8 Fall skincare tips we share below to make sure that your skin stays hydrated, healthy, and glowing all season long!

Although the intensity of the Fall weather changes differ depending on where you live, in general the weather becomes cooler and drier, which commonly affects the skin in the following ways:

• Cooler temperatures increase the skin’s proneness to dryness and dehydration. Cooler air is less humid, meaning there is less moisture in the air. Think of the air like a sponge: when a sponge is fully saturated (aka humid air), it stops absorbing additional water. But when a sponge is dry (aka cooler, drier air), it will suck up any moisture it comes in contact with. In essence, the cooler, drier air is sucking away the natural moisture contained in your skin, which is what causes your skin to become drier during cooler seasons.

• Weather conditions like wind and rain can exacerbate sensitive and reactive skin, causing your skin to experience more irritation, redness, and inflammation. Harsh winds can strip vital water from the skin and thus weaken your skin barrier. When upset, our skin cells are programmed to react, meaning an increase in sensitive, dry, red or irritated skin. When it rains, the cooler temperature, combined with a higher humidity level, creates the perfect environment for fungus and bacteria to grow on the skin, which leads to red and itchy skin.

• You’re still at risk of sunburn and other harmful effects of sun exposure. You may have heard this before already, but UV rays still penetrate through clouds and fog, so don’t be fooled by the myth that you don’t need sunscreen during cooler, cloudier months.

• The low humidity of cooler weather can worsen skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Low humidity causes the skin barrier to become rigid, dry, and cracked, and cracks in the epidermis allow more irritants to get into the skin, which can incite flare ups in skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

• Dry weather means your skin will produce more sebum, leading to more breakouts. The sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, automatically react to the cold, dry air by increasing the secretion of oil in order to seal and retain moisture in the skin and protect your face.

 

Now that we’ve gone over the ways that Fall weather can negatively affect your skin’s health, let’s cover the ways you can adjust your skincare routine so that you can combat these negative effects!

1. Switch to a thicker moisturizer

In order to compensate for the drier weather, it’s vital to switch to a thicker moisturizer that will help your skin recover and stay deeply hydrated throughout the day and night.

The Yuzu Pure Hydration Cream is an excellent choice for those seeking to switch to a thicker, more hydrating moisturizer. Not only that, but the vitamins and soothing yuzu flower scent will help your skin maintain a healthy, nourished glow as well.

2. Use a lip moisturizer and protect the sensitive areas of the skin

The lips are one of the most sensitive parts of the body (and are 100 times more sensitive than your fingertips!) and the feeling of having cracked, chapped lips can be highly uncomfortable and distracting. Fortunately, the solution is simple: make sure to apply a lip balm to them whenever or even before you start to feel them becoming parched.

The SPF 30 Lip Therapy Stick is a powerfully hydrating lip moisturizer that will not only keep them plump and moisturizer, but will also protect them from the damaging effects of UV rays.

The skin around the eye area is also thinner and more delicate, so be sure to apply SPF and a thick moisturizer daily around this area to keep it protected and hydrated. You can also use the SPF 30 Lip Therapy Stick to easily apply SPF around your eye area when you’re on the go! Remember: just because it’s cloudy or foggy, it doesn’t mean that the harmful UV rays aren’t still penetrating and damaging your skin.

 

3. Include Vitamin C in your skincare routine

If you aren’t already, be sure to use a moisturizer that contains Vitamin C, as it both reduces the damage caused by UV rays and evens skin tone through increased collagen production. This tip is applicable for all seasons!

 

4. Use a humidifier
Invest in a humidifier during the colder seasons to add back some of the lost moisture. More moisture in the air equals more moisture in your skin.

 

5. Hydrate from the inside out
In addition to applying topical treatments, it’s also important to remember that hydration is maintained on a deeper level when it’s done from the inside out. This means drinking more water and consuming hydrating foods, such as juicy fall fruits (i.e. apples and grapes) and vegetables (i.e. bell peppers).

 

6. Use exfoliants less frequently
Due to the increased sensitivity that your skin may be experiencing during the Fall season, you may want to reduce how often you’re exfoliating, especially if your skin is already becoming drier and more irritated as a result of the changing weather.

If you’re using a rougher, more granular exfoliator, try switching to a gentler one, such as the Foaming Skin Polish. This exfoliator contains skin-soothing ingredients, such as camphor and green tea, that help to reduce inflammation and redness.

If, after experimenting, you discover that it’s best to not exfoliate at all during this period but still want some kind of gentle cleanser, try the Hydrating Face Wash. It’s a non-foaming gel cleanser that will help keep your skin’s natural moisture locked in while gently cleansing away any bacteria, grime, and excess oil.

7. Moisturize your entire body
You may have been able to get away with not moisturizing your arms and legs during the warmer, more humid seasons, but during the cooler seasons you’re more likely to feel the dryness creeping in on these areas as well.

The Moisturizing Body Lotion is a great post-shower whole body moisturizer, not only due to its hydrating properties, but also because it contains soothing ingredient camphor, which will help to combat the heightened skin sensitivity, redness, and irritation.

 

8. Tread lightly with products containing potentially irritating ingredients
If you’re experiencing flare ups of eczema or other inflammatory skin conditions right now, you may want to reduce or completely eliminate the use of products that contain irritating ingredients.

The Advanced Formula Pure Hydration Cream is the perfect moisturizer for those experiencing an increase in red, itchy, or irritated skin, as it’s 100% fragrance free and safe for even the most sensitive skin!