When it comes to your skincare routine and the products you’ve selected, it’s easy to get confused and wonder whether they’re really working for you – especially when the seasons change.

The fall season is upon many of us 🍁!  While fall represents a time of all things pumpkin spice lattes, colourful leaves, sweater weather, and transformation, it’s also time to start thinking about the efficiency of your current skincare routine. Is your skincare routine still working this autumn? Because as the weather shifts, so do our skin’s needs.

Just like our wardrobes transition from breezy summer dresses to snuggly knits, our skincare routines need an update too. Why? Because those crisp autumn winds and dry indoor heating can wreak havoc on our delicate skin barrier. I understand how perplexing this can be, especially when you’re using an advanced skincare routine with several products. However, knowing what results to expect and why you might not be seeing exactly what you were hoping for—or seeing unintended results—is critical.

Having realistic expectations is important because hoping for the impossible can throw your budget and lifestyle out of whack.

How can you get the results you want in your autumn skincare routine?

How do you really know you’re getting the best results possible from your skin care products as the season changes? 

Dry weather, heat, and those oh-so-cosy fireside evenings can lead to dry, flaky, red, and wrinkled-looking skin. 

So I have compiled a few of the most frequently asked questions from the EKD FaceWardrobe community about their skincare routines. Here are some seasonal tips for healthy habits and hydration in preparation for the weather ahead. 

A: Our climate and environment definitely affect our skin. Therefore it’s important to tune into this and understand that your skincare should be adaptable for every season.
Here’s the lowdown on why your skin might be feeling a little blah as the season changes to autumn.

• Dehydration: Colder air holds less moisture, leading to transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Think of your skin as a grape slowly turning into a raisin! 🍇
• Indoor Heating: While we love cozying up by the fire, central heating further dries out the air, which in turn dries out our skin.
• Harsh Winds: Autumn winds can strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it feeling raw and irritated.

So, what’s a skincare enthusiast to do?

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! 💧

I can’t stress this enough. Drinking plenty of water is crucial. Make it a habit to always drink a glass of water after that nice coffee or pumpkin spice latte.
But don’t forget to up your topical hydration game too. Look for humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin in your serums and moisturizers. These ingredients attract and hold onto moisture, keeping your skin plump and dewy.

A. Listen to Your Skin 👂
I believe in intuitive knowing and listening to your skin. If you feel that your face and skin are asking for a bit more TLC, feel free to give it that! At the same time, however, it’s also important to evaluate whether your moisturizer is the right one for you and whether its ingredients are giving you enough hydration. Finding the right one will also result in less application and better skin! 

A facial oil can be a great addition to your routine, sealing in moisture and providing an extra layer of protection. Face oils can be emollients, which add moisture, or occlusives, which seal in moisture. Each face oil contains a distinct blend of essential nutrients and fatty acids that nourish and revitalize skin by fortifying and repairing the lipid barrier within the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin).

But how to choose a face oil as per skin type? 

This is where the confusion lies!!
Here’s a quick list of which oil is best for which skin type:

• FOR OILY SKIN: If you have oily skin, look for a lightweight, non-greasy oil that will not clog your pores. Jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and rosehip oil are all great options for oily skin, as they are highly moisturizing but do not leave a heavy, greasy residue.

• FOR DRY SKIN: If you have dry skin, look for a heavier, more emollient oil that will provide deep hydration and nourishment. Avocado, almond, and marula oil are great options for dry skin, as they are rich in essential fatty acids and other nourishing ingredients.

• FOR COMBINATION SKIN: If you have combination skin, you may benefit from using different oils on different face areas. For example, you could use a lightweight oil like jojoba oil on your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and a more emollient oil like avocado oil on your cheeks.

• FOR SENSITIVE SKIN: If you have sensitive skin, look for a gentle, non-irritating oil that will not cause redness, itching, or other allergic reactions. Tamanu oil and chamomile oil are all great options for sensitive skin, as they have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
  
• FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN: If you have acne-prone skin, look for an oil that is non-comedogenic (meaning it will not clog your pores) and has antibacterial properties. Tea tree oil, neem oil, and hemp seed oil are all great options for acne-prone skin, as they have antibacterial properties that can help to prevent breakouts.
  
• FOR MATURE SKIN: If you have mature skin, look for an oil rich in antioxidants and other best face oils for anti-ageing ingredients. Argan oil, pomegranate seed oil, and rosehip oil are all great options for mature skin, as they can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promote a more youthful, radiant complexion.

Cleanse with Care 👀

Another great tip for dry-season skincare is to switch up your facial cleanser. Ditch the harsh cleansers that strip your skin’s natural oils. Opt for a gentle, oil-based cleanser or a creamy balm to keep your skin feeling clean and comfortable. Gentle hydrating cleansers are also great for oily skin.

A: Dry, cracked lips happen, but…you don’t have to suffer through it or keep trying product after product to find soothing relief. Knowing what to do when your lips become dry and uncomfortable will quickly make a beautiful difference. It begins by understanding why lips get dry in the first place…

In comparison to skin on other parts of the face, the lips have it rough, literally. Physiologically unique, the lips are predisposed to being the driest spot on your face or body. Your face has a nice, relatively thick, protective layer of skin, while your lips are virtually naked in comparison. Most of us need lots of help to keep our lips smooth, moist, and youthful—and there are products that do that brilliantly.

Luckily, there are multiple things you can do to fix chapped lips, as well as adopting healthy habits to keep your lips smooth and healthy.

Here are 8 Tips for you to turn into a habit.

Step One: Uplevel your knowledge of ingredients
A surprising cause of dry, cracked lips is using lip products that contain ingredients such as peppery capsicum, menthol, menthoxypropanediol (an especially potent form of menthol), camphor, peppermint, ginger, mint oil, cinnamon, and fragrance (natural or synthetic), all of which cause skin-damaging irritation. These ingredients are shockingly common in lip products, particularly those that claim to plump lips or even to care for cracked lips!

Step Two: Seek out ingredients that promote lip skin barrier strength.
Examples include fatty acids, antioxidant-rich plant oils, peptides and ceramides. A more substantial barrier helps lip skin resist external stressors that would otherwise deteriorate its appearance.

Step Three: Make sure your lip balm includes SPF 30+
Another vital ingredient in lip balm is sunscreen. Even despite the colder temperatures in autumn and winter, the sun still shines in those seasons. Your lips can still get burned and are more susceptible to burning than the rest of your face, as the skin is thinner and more delicate. The harsh reality is most of us forget about SPF when it comes to the super-vulnerable lip area.

Step Four: Don’t bite, brush or rub your lips when they’re flaking or peeling
You may also feel the need to get rid of that pesky, irritating feeling that flaking and peeling causes — after all, it feels so much better when your lips are smooth!However, try to resist the urge!
It’s much better not to scrub your lips or pick the peeling skin off with your teeth or fingers. That just creates cracks and sores on your lips and can worsen things in the end. Instead, apply a heavy ointment-based balm that will be soothing and help heal your lips.

For certain, do not use a toothbrush if it still has toothpaste or toothpaste residue on it—toothpaste allergies that affect the lips are more common than you think.

Step Five: Use a lip balm that’s ointment-based
This remedy will lock in the moisture and help heal cracks and splits in the skin. Look for a healing ointment that contains petrolatum, oils or glycerin.

Step Six: Be vigilant about treating chapped lips
Treat severe peeling and cracks right away. If you let chapped lips go, they can become worse, possibly infected, or even lead to a cold sore. For example, the herpes simplex virus tends to attack when your immune system is down, which can happen more frequently in the winter. And when your lips are peeling, cracking and dry, it doesn’t help the situation, creating an environment more ideal for that annoying invader as your defences are down.

Step Seven: Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is known to be good for your skin, including your sensitive lips.

Step Eight: Overnight mask
In the evening, after your skincare routine, apply an overnight lip mask which will nourish your lips during the night.

Q: I get allergies even in autumn, which also affects the way my skin looks. What can I do?

Bee pollen can help suppress histamines and reduce allergy symptoms like itchy skin and puffy eyes.
They are very high in protein and vitamins and serve as antioxidants, making them a superfood. However, it is essential that the bee pollen is local so that you can build up immunity to what surrounds you specifically. Why not add this superfood to your fall skincare and overall wellness?

As a Bonus Tip for this season change

Consider adding a humidifier to your home to combat the dry air. Your skin will thank you!

And Remember: Just like the leaves change colour, our skin’s needs evolve with the seasons. Pay attention to what your skin is telling you, and adjust your routine accordingly. With a little TLC, you can enjoy radiant, healthy skin during the colder seasons of the year!