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Stylist Loves
“I’m a beauty editor, and here’s what I’m swapping in my skincare routine ahead of autumn”
7 months ago
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6 min read
With autumn just around the corner, this is the perfect time to refresh your skincare routine…
While I believe that some skincare trends are more hype than substance, switching up your skincare routine throughout the seasons really is worthwhile. The change in weather brings cooler temperatures, lower humidity and the dreaded central heating, all of which can zap moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, dull and in need of some extra TLC. You might find that your favourite lightweight moisturiser just isn’t cutting it anymore, or if you’re anything like me, your skin might go through a ‘change of seasons’ meltdown, bringing with it acne flare-ups and irritation.
The colder months can be particularly harsh on our skin due to the constant shift between chilly winds outside and the warm, dry air indoors, and it’s this fluctuation that can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, making it more susceptible to dehydration and irritation. So, as we roll into autumn, I’m making a few swaps in my skincare routine to combat these seasonal changes, ensuring my skin stays hydrated, glowing and protected. Here’s what I’m switching up…
Now’s the time to try out a retinol
If you’re not already using a retinol, now is the time to introduce one into your routine. Often classed as the ‘gold standard’ of over-the-counter skincare, retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, which accelerates cell turnover and helps to diminish fine lines, improve texture and fade hyperpigmentation. But it can also increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so introducing it into your routine in the cooler months, when UV exposure is lower, is a good idea. It’s important to remember that UV damage occurs all year round, and SPF should be worn through the autumn and winter months too.
Kate Somerville Mega-A Skin Transforming Serum
I’m wary of retinols after having one too many overly sensitised reactions, but I’ve been excited to try this new serum from Kate Somerville as it has been specifically formulated with sensitive skin types in mind. The formula is blended with hyaluronic acid and squalane to increase hydration and elasticity while smoothing the look of fine or deep lines.
Shop Kate Somerville Mega-A Skin Transforming Serum at Space NK, £72
Soup up your moisturiser
With autumn’s cooler air (and especially if you’re also introducing retinol into your routine), it’s time to upgrade from lightweight gels or lotions to a richer, more nourishing moisturiser. Look for moisturisers with ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid or squalane, which not only replenish moisture but also help to soothe and protect your skin. These hydrating formulas will help to keep your skin barrier strong and balanced.
Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream
For a moisturiser that packs a punch while still feeling lightweight on the skin, this does-it-all cream is brilliant. It’s packed with multi-weight hyaluronic acid with a blend of ceramides, squalane and vitamin F to provide a lasting boost of nourishment, while a prebiotic peptide protects the skin barrier.
Shop Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream at Lookfantastic, £45
Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream Moisturiser for Dehydrated Skin
If your skin is starting to feel dry and tight, this rich cream is a great, affordable option. Formulated with shea butter, it creates a veil of protection on the skin, restoring and maintaining optimum hydration levels – even when the central heating is cranked up.
Shop Avène Hydrance Rich Hydrating Cream Moisturiser for Dehydrated Skin at Lookfantastic, £19
Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich
For a boost of all day hydration underneath your make-up, this everyday moisturiser is perfect. It doubles up as a lightweight primer, keeping skin soft and supple from morning to night.
Arm yourself with pimple patches
If you’re anything like me, you might notice your skin tends to freak out when the seasons change, resulting in unexpected breakouts. That’s where hydrocolloid pimple patches come in. These small but mighty patches work to minimise blemishes by drawing out impurities while creating a barrier to prevent you from touching – or worse, picking – the spot. They’re also great for blurring the appearance of pimples, so you can feel more confident while your skin does its thing.
The Inkey List Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches
Quick and easy to use, these fast-acting patches combine hydrocolloid with salicylic and succinic acids to help purify the skin and visibly diminish redness, while ectoin provides a boost of hydration.
Shop The Inkey List Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches at Lookfantastic, £9
Hero Mighty Patch Surface
For larger areas of breakouts, these patches are great. The jumbo-size hydrocolloid strip covers up to two-inch areas of acne and helps to make big pimple clusters look flatter within hours.
Try an overnight skincare mask
With autumn air being drier, it’s the perfect time to incorporate an overnight mask into your routine. These masks are supercharged with hydrating ingredients and designed to work while you sleep, when your skin is most receptive to repair and regeneration. A good overnight mask can help boost moisture levels, soothe irritation and ensure you wake up with a plumper, more radiant complexion. It’s like giving your skin a big drink of water to get it through those drier nights when the central heating is on full blast.
Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask
While it’s anything but new, I find myself returning to this overnight skincare mask from Origins every single year. The formula is so rich and buttery and leaves your skin bouncy, firm and dewy the next morning. I discovered it around seven years ago and have used it every winter since.
Shop Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask at Selfridges, £28
Laneige Sleeping Mask
This viral sleeping mask is infused with a peony-collagen complex, which works to hydrate the skin, restore elasticity and protect the skin from damage. Probiotic lysate then works to boost the skin barrier, combat inflammation and soothe the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed and rejuvenated come morning.
Body moisturiser becomes more important
As soon as the central heating kicks in, the moisture in the air starts to disappear – and with it, the moisture in your skin. During the colder months, the skin on my body often feels tight, dry and even itchy. While we tend to focus heavily on facial skincare, don’t forget to give your body some love too. If SPF and lightweight body lotions fall out of your regular routine in the colder months, it’s key to amp up hydration. Reach for body moisturisers with ingredients like shea butter or ceramides to combat dryness and keep your skin smooth and supple all season.
Naturium Bio-Lipid Body Lotion
I find moisturising my body a real chore, so I need a formula that sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave my skin feeling sticky and uncomfortable. This supersize moisturiser from Naturium has become one of my all-time favourites. It’s formulated with an advanced lipid complex that includes shea butter and omega fatty acids, which help to restore the skin’s natural barrier, encouraging the skin to become softer and more supple.
Exfoliation is key
Exfoliation is just as important for your body as it is for your face. The drop in humidity and increase in heating can lead to a build-up of dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking dull and feeling rough. A gentle body exfoliator, used a couple of times a week, helps to slough away those dead cells, revealing fresh, glowing skin underneath. This also allows your body moisturiser to penetrate deeper and be more effective. For an extra pampering experience, try a body scrub with nourishing oils to leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated.
Luna Daily The Everywhere Exfoliator
Supercharged with triple action 3% AHA (including lactic, glycolic and malic acid), this smoothing formula is brilliant for buffing away dry skin, while moisturising vitamin E and aloe vera offer deep hydration and soothe any redness. It’s also ideal if you suffer from ingrown hairs – I love it.
Shop Luna Daily The Everywhere Exfoliator at Cult Beauty, £20
Images: courtesy of brands
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