What Happens to Your Skin in the Fall?

Cooler air, sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and the changing of the leaves are tell-tale signs that fall has officially arrived. However, the weather and the leaves aren’t the only things that change as the autumn months creep up. Your skin goes through changes too. As the seasons shift, our bodies (including our skin) have to face the elements and adapt to the changes in the environment around us. 

So, what happens to our skin?

The crisp air and wind that comes with the autumn season can leave your skin feeling dry, which means it’s likely to be more sensitive than normal. Because your skin becomes more sensitive during this time, you may notice when it becomes visibly irritated due to redness or blotchiness that crops up. You may even notice that your skin isn’t looking or feeling its best because it might look dull or have a few rough patches from the dryness. It’s not a good look and it’s certainly not comfortable to deal with.

One of the worse symptoms that we face is the cracking of the skin. If your skin becomes too dry and doesn’t get the hydration it needs, it can result in cracks on our face or lips that are often painful. These cracks and tears in the skin increase your risk of allowing bacteria to enter, which may cause infections.

The good news is, you can help minimize the effects the cold weather has on your beautiful, delicate skin. All you have to do is make a few skincare product swaps and you’ll be good to go! So, while you’re updating your wardrobe for fall and bringing out the sweaters, scarves, and boots, don’t forget to invest in some new skincare too. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Switch to gentler skincare products.

Fall is the perfect time to analyze your daily skincare routine to see if you need to make any product swaps or cut anything out. The cold air our skin battles during fall can cause dryness, which may lead to cracking and flaking. Because of this, it’s important that you cut out any products that would be harsh for sensitive skin because your face will be more prone to irritation.

Instead, swap out some of the products you use for ones that are gentler and soothing. You want something that will cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils while also providing some much-needed hydration. A normalizing and balancing moisturizer like Yon-Ka’s Crème 93 would work perfectly at giving you protection from the dry, colder air all day.

Moisturize morning and night.

While you should get into the habit of moisturizing your skin morning and night no matter the season, it’s even more important to do so as the temperature drops. The cold, crisp air and wind we face during fall can cause our skin to dry. As mentioned before, dry skin becomes very sensitive and prone to irritation. It can result in a red, splotchy complexion. It can even cause painful cracks or itchy dry patches.

To combat this, it’s important that you moisturize twice a day to protect your skin from the harsh elements it faces whenever you walk out the door. You may find that your summertime moisturizer just doesn’t do the trick either. You may have to switch to something that’s thicker and creamier to provide your skin with that extra bit of hydration it craves. Those lightweight or gel moisturizers we tend to reach for when our skin is oily in the summer may not cut it this time of year.

One thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t just moisturize your face. Your entire body needs more hydration when the weather is cold. When you hop out of the shower, be sure to apply some moisturizer all over your body to ensure your skin stays soft and smooth and to prevent irritation. And don’t forget to keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water on a daily basis, which can help your skin look and feel its best.

Repair the damage from summer.

During the summer, our skin tends to get oily. As that oil disappears in the fall, we’re left to deal with repairing the damage our skin has endured after an entire season in the sun. If you find that your pores are looking large or are clogged once summer comes to an end, you’ll want to do some deep cleaning.

You can opt to do a professional peel or an at-home peel to revive your skin and help minimize the appearance of your pores. Alternatively, you can go for products such as serums or treatments with acids such as glycolic, lactic and salicylic. These will help reduce the appearance of pore size and also purge them of any dirt, oil, and bacteria that’s still lingering.

If you find that your skin has become dull due to dryness and losing that summer glow, make sure you’re exfoliating regularly. It’ll help bring your skin back to life and remove any flaky patches you might have. However, if you find that your skin is becoming too dry or irritated, scale back on your exfoliation to prevent any further issues.

Don’t forget the sunscreen.

So, now that summer is over we can finally ditch the sunscreen, right? Wrong! Ladies, don’t forget that the sun still shines during the colder months and it’s important you protect your skin. Even though it may seem like the sun might not be shining as bright as it does in July, the UV rays are still strong, which will cause damage to your skin if you aren’t prepared. If you’re venturing outside for any length of time, make sure you apply a little sunscreen before you head out. To make it easier, find a daily moisturizer that has SPF in it so you never forget to apply it.

It’s essential that you always protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun if you want to make sure it remains looking healthy and youthful. Not only will it add a protective barrier that shields your skin from the sun, but it’ll also keep your skin hydrated while you’re outside facing the elements.