Autumn and winter are right around the corner and with these seasonal changes come not just a wardrobe switch but also certain skin concerns. Have you been breaking out or looking dull recently? Changes are seasonal changes are probably to blame. They may lead to dead skin cell buildup, which in turn results in trapped oil and bacteria beneath the surface, and increased breakouts. It’s likely you’re spending more time indoors as well and the central heating as well as  extra hot showers are drying out your skin at a faster pace, resulting in dehydration.

Here are some steps you can take to prep your skincare routine for the upcoming autumn and winter seasons…

Basics

Due to the constant switches from hot indoors to cold outdoors, your skin will become drier and more sensitive. Protecting your skin from these extreme termal changes is therefore vital. Exfoliating might seem counterintuitive, but it’s important to keep that a part of your routine. Just swap out any scrubs for a chemical exfoliant and overall settle for thicker and creamy formulas. This goes for cleansers, serums and moisturizers. Introducing an oil or balm cleanser and a facial oil as an extra layer of hydration on top of your moisturizer helps improve moisture retention. If oil is too heavy for you, opt for water-based products instead.

Ingredients

Focus on rich and creamy formulas that deeply hydrate parched skin. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, mandelic acid, vitamin C+E and ceramides. Not only do they help protect your skin and maintain hydration during the colder months, they also assist in correcting and reversing the damage your skin has taken during the summer when it was exposed to a higher concentration of harmful UV rays, which could have resulted in uneven skin tone and texture, and premature aging of the skin. All while enhancing the skin’s natural glow!

Reminder

Don’t forget SPF! Remember radiation from the sun can penetrate through clouds and even windows. Sunscreen remains a constant, always.