Autumn is Here! Here's How to Protect Your Skin
The arrival of Autumn brings subtle changes to your skin. The onset of cooler weather - and certainly the addition of indoor heat - can make skin feel drier, tighter and even irritated. Skin loses hydration and also produces more oil to protect itself, so it is important to use the right products to maintain healthy and glowing skin.
Adding hydration, locking in moisture and managing build-up are key. Read on for some product suggestions.
Building an Optimal Autumn Skincare Routine
Add a Hydrating Essence
A great way to add more hydration into your Autumn skincare routine is by adding an essence. Essences are liquid products with ingredients formulated at low molecular weights so they sink deeply into skin's layers to literally hydrate from within. Try Mixsoon's No. 1 Layering Set, with three lovely essences which you can mix and match or layer onto skin - to soothe, hydrate and brighten. You can also check out more essences here.
Add a Nourishing Serum
Another option is to add a nutritious serum, with antioxidants (vitamins C, E, B3, derived from fruits and vegetables) to prevent skin barrier damage from harsher weather, or peptides to help keep skin bouncy and firm. Try the COSRX The 6 Peptide Booster Serum - with six types of peptides, Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture and protect the skin barrier.
Another great serum choice is one with probiotics, which protect skin from dryness and improve overall skin health. Skin 1004's Centella Probio Cica Intensive Ampoule is so luxe and nourishing for all skin types and is an ideal Autumn choice! Check out our full serum collection here.
Switch to a Thicker Moisturizer with Emollients
A great change to make to your routine for Autumn is to swap out your light summer moisturizer for one that is a little heavier. Look for moisturizers that include emollients -- fatty molecules which literally form a film over the external layer of skin to lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier from harsher weather and dryness. Emollients like ceramides, which are a great choice - as these fatty lipids are already found in our skin and adding them topically makes your skin more smooth and supple.
My most pleasant discovery this season has been Numbuzin's No.2 Cica Ceramide Repair Cream. It has the WOW factor - ceramides to lock in moisture and centella asiatica which instantly soothes my skin when it has been irritated from bike rides in cooler weather. Plus it gives a nice natural glow thanks to brightening niacinamide. Holy Grail status! Or try another ceramide classic - the COSRX Balancium Ceramide Comfort Cream, which goes on like a dream and locks in hydration. I will never not carry these products! (Check out all moisturizers here.)
Exfoliate Regularly - but be Gentle!
With the onset of cooler weather, it is important to exfoliate regularly, as oil and debris build-up accumulates on skin more quickly - but don't overdo it or you will irritate or even damage your skin. Mixsoon Bean Toner Pads are an excellent choice, with seven types of nutritious bean extracts on a textured cotton pad which gently lifts away skin debris. Once or twice a week is all you need. Check out more exfoliants here.
Double Cleanse to Remove Oil Build-Up
Skin will produce more oil to protect itself against cooler, drier weather, so it is helpful to use a gentle oil cleanser to break up oil and debris without stripping skin, like the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil - Sensitive. Follow up with the Heimish All Clean Green Foam, to remove any residue and balance pH levels. Check out our collection of oil cleansers here, and water-based cleansers here.
Check out our full skincare collection for Autumn for more options.
Enjoy this wonderful season!