The Best Tips for Transitioning from Summer to Fall Skin Care

Fall Season is our favorite time in New York, and we’re looking forward to pumpkin spice lattes and the brisker sweater weather. But, that’s not all we have to rejoice about! If you’ve spent your weekend like us, unearthing your favorite cashmere sweater and leather jacket, then it might be time to swap out some of your skincare products too.

As the weather begins to change, so does our skin. The transition from summer to fall skincare is an important one. Our skin recognizes the shift in the climate and those fluctuations might cause the skin to change. Cooler windy outside air combined with heated indoor air can pull out moisture from our skin leading to dryness, redness, breakouts or even eczema flare ups.

These tips below are general recommendations, but we always say, ”Listen to your skin”.

Don’t feel the need to change anything. Our skin is in constant communication with us, and it is our responsibility to listen. It’s okay to make only minor or no changes at all. Everyone’s skin is unique and has unique needs. The skin is speaking to us via changes (dryness, redness, breakouts, irritation, itchiness), so if we see or feel a difference or not at all it's important that we stop, listen and then act.

Try Using A Thicker Moisturizer

Lighter moisturizers feel good in the summertime, but they might not be enough when the weather cools and the humidity drops. Try using a thicker moisturizer to keep up with your skin’s hydration needs. The skin especially benefits from products loaded with humectants that help bind moisture to the skin and restore the lipid barrier layer that can be compromised thanks to cold weather and less humidity.

How To Choose A Moisturizer Based On Your Skin Type

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare. What works for someone else might not work for you. You need to find a product that suits your skin type as well as current weather conditions. A moisturizer is a must in your routine whether you have dry or oily skin.

Moisturizers (humectants/emollients/occlusive) can describe several different textures. Gels, creams, and lotion, respectively.

To choose the right moisturizer you need to know your skin.

Humectants (hydrators) attract and bind water in the skin. They hydrate and plump the skin. Lightweight or gel moisturizers. Great for oily and acne-prone skin types. Look for hyaluronic acid and glycerin listed as ingredients.

Emollients replace lipids and fill gaps between skin cells helping to repair the barrier of the skin. Normal to dry and sensitive skin will greatly benefit from emollients’ ability to strengthen the skin’s fatty lipid barrier. Look for ceramides and linoleic acid in ingredient lists. 

Occlusives create a barrier over the surface of the skin and prevent water loss. They are suitable for people with extremely dry, irritated skin or those suffering from conditions such as eczema. Occlusive moisturizers are great during the winter months especially if you are playing winter sports or if you spend lots of time outside. They will protect the skin from transepidermal water loss. They act like a winter coat for your skin.  Look for lanolin, silicone, and squalene.

AVST Moisturizer

Vitamin A is the building block of healthy skin. It’s a potent antioxidant which helps to control the production of sebum, diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce inflammation, evens skin tone, regulates sebum production, and prevents breakouts. The AVST Moisturizers are a vitamin rich moisturizer part of the famous Environ step up system. Ideal for every skin type!

Super Moisturizer

In order to protect the skin from extreme cold and freezing temperatures, Super Moisturizer is filled with barrier repairing and protecting ingredients to provide long lasting hydrating benefits. If you are already using the step-up system and need extra hydration, Super Moisturizer can be cocktailed with your current moisturizer. Great for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin.

Add Additional Products Into Your Skincare Routine In Fall

Opt for a gentler cleanser

While gel-based cleansers might have felt great on a humid summer day, consider changing your cleanser to a milder cream-based or low-foam cleanser. It’s a gentler option that will help lock in moisture as well. If you have oily skin you can still use your exfoliating (acid based) cleanser at night or a few times a week but use something more gentle in the morning. Our two Fall favorites are the Warming Honey Cleanser and Low Foam Cleansing Gel.

Add “extras” to your skincare

Fall or Winter is a good time to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine. Retinol helps to normalize the skin, speed up cell turnover, has the ability to unclog pores, fade hyperpigmentation and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Our advice when you start with retinol is to gradually introduce it to your skincare routine to avoid a retinoid reaction (dryness, redness, flakiness).

If you are our client already, you are most likely using a Vitamin A (retinoids) based product. With Environ’s STEP-UP SYSTEM we can safely introduce vitamin A all year around, preparing the skin to receive other and higher forms of Vitamin A (like retinol/Retin-A).

You can incorporate facial oils to your skincare routine for an extra dose of hydration. Our favorite is the Hydrating Oil Capsules from Environ that deliver a concentrated burst of hydration. These oil capsules contain a blend of retinol and antioxidants that help to protect the skin and combat dryness and visible signs of aging.

If you don’t normally use facial toner in your routine, think about adding one. Facial toners – like the Botanical Infused Moisturizing Toner – are an easy and great way to balance the skin, strengthen the skin barrier and add extra hydration.

Add A Humidifier to Your Room

One of the best non-skincare skincare tips for the fall and winter is to add a humidifier to your room. Heaters remove moisture from the air, making our skin dry. Humidifiers restore the humidity in the air providing the skin with much needed moisture. They’re never a replacement to your skincare routine though!

Should You Exfoliate During The Fall?

Exfoliation is an important part of our skincare routine. It removes the outermost layer of the skin which consists of dead skin cells, increases skin regeneration to improve skin conditions, tone, texture and allows better product penetration. 

The cold weather can make the skin drier and more sensitive, and you might be on the fence about whether or not you should exfoliate. We say, you should. Dead skin cells can clog your pores, make your skin look dull, and they reduce the amount of absorption you get from the products you apply. Essentially, dead skin increases dryness and irritation.

Over-Exfoliation Lead To Loss Of Hydration

However, there can be too much of a good thing. Over-exfoliating your skin can lead to more dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. How often you should exfoliate depends on your skin and the type of exfoliator you are using. 

Generally speaking, 1-2 times a week is safe regardless of the exfoliation you are using.  If you are using an exfoliating toner, limit it to only one time a day. If you have inflamed, red, and sensitive skin, chemical exfoliation (AHAs, BHAs, in low concentration) once or twice a week might be more beneficial for you. Our current favorites are the glycolic acid-based Concentrated Alpha Hydroxy toner, the lactic acid and mandelic acid-based Revival Masque, and the two-step exfoliating and hydrating Active Peel System.

Start Your Skin Care Journey With JE’DERM Skin Atelier

We always recommend that clients have facial treatments once a month to match the 28- to 32-day life cycle of our skin cells. Occasional facials are great, but regular treatments are the best way to reach long-term results. Facials aren’t just the opportunity to pamper yourself, they have enormous short-term and long-term benefits to the health and wellness of your skin.

The benefits of facials are many all year round, but there are particular reasons why you should get them in the fall and wintertime. Facials work to counteract the harsh weather effects by improving circulation, providing exfoliation, and restoring moisture and hydration. Winter is also the perfect time to get corrective treatments such as chemical peels and microneedling.

Contact us and let us help you achieve your skincare goals!