I’m sure we’ve all been feeling the frosty effects of Autumn over the past few days. Every new season beckons a few switch-ups and tweaks in our routines, and this absolutely resonates in the world of skincare too. Some of us welcome the cooler months with open arms, having been wishing away the sticky, humid heat since November. But no matter whether you’re a lover or a hater, there are a few essential changes that will ensure your skin can fight off the winter dryness.
The main thing to bear in mind when it comes to Autumn skincare and treatments is that your skin may be feeling the effects of summer. It’s no surprise that excessive tanning, travel-induced dehydration and perhaps a few too many margaritas can certainly bestow its mark upon our faces. This shows up in different ways for different people, for some it may lead to breakouts, while for others the extra time spent in the sun can result in pigmentation. The good news is that the drop in temperature is the perfect time to start addressing these summer-centric skin conditions, as well as start thinking about our more advanced skin treatments reserved for winter. Here are our top tips for Autumn-proofing your beauty routine.
What are the main changes to our skin during Autumn?
The main atmospheric change that affects our skin during Autumn is a drop in the humidity. Humidity helps keep the skin hydrated, so when there is a sudden shift in the temperature, it can lead to your skin drying out. But never fear, a few small tweaks to your skincare routine will absolutely combat this. The other main change is that Autumn is the perfect time to recover from the harsh impacts that Summer may have had on your skin. With less time spent outside, now is the perfect time to slot in some more intensive treatments that can help to get you back to your pre-Summer glow. Basically, think about Autumn as your Summer damage control season.
Top skincare tips for Autumn
Use a rich moisturiser
As you’ve probably gathered, hydration is truly the name of the game when it comes to Autumn. Choosing a rich, nourishing moisturiser will help to ward off any unwanted dryness that can come part and parcel as the weather starts to cool. You want a moisturiser that will help to lock in all your serums and help prevent moisture loss and retain hydration. For our normal or combination skin people, we recommend the Murad Intense Recovery Cream. This luxurious moisturiser will help to offset symptoms of skin stress, as well as boost the skin’s resilience for a stronger skin barrier. All of this help to stop water from escaping the skin, and lead to a healthy glow.
However hydrating moisturisers don’t necessarily have to be thicker in consistency, in fact, if you have oily or acne-prone skin then we recommend opting for a lighter formula to avoid clogging your pores. If this is you, the Skinsmiths Rebalancing Moisturiser is the answer to your prayers. This incorporates hard-working yet gentle moisturising ingredients such as Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate (which is a type of Hyaluronic Acid) that will rejuvenate dry skin, while also being ultra-lightweight.
Opt for a moisturising cleanser
While some of us may consider our cleanser as simply being a tick-in-the-box, it should absolutely match your overall skin goals. If you have acne-prone skin for example, incorporating a cleanser with salicylic acid can help you to avoid breakouts just as much as a good serum. This also applies to our evolving skincare goals season-to-season, and with Autumn it’s a really good idea to incorporate a hydrating cleanser to help keep your skin nourished.
While most cleansers are gentle enough to be used all year round, drier skin types can absolutely benefit from using a more moisturising formula during Autumn and Winter. Look for cleansers that are rich in ceramides, hyaluronic acid or glycerin to help keep your skin hydrated. The Skinsmiths Gentle Cream Cleanser is the perfect product for the job, with rich moisturising ingredients such as Avocado Oil it will simultaneously remove make-up and impurities while also giving your skin a healthy dose of hydration.
Reduce harsh exfoliator use
If your skin does start to dry, it can be tempting to try to exfoliate it away. However, avoid physical scrubs where possible, as these can further impair your skin barrier and lead to inflammation. If your skin begins to flake, over-exfoliating will not help to clear it, in fact, it will probably exacerbate it. The best port of call post-Summer is to get a chemical exfoliant such as an AHA that will exfoliate as well as hydrate, leaving your skin feeling fresh and radiant. AHA/BHA exfoliants will also help to lift stubborn pigmentation and revive dull, dry skin that may occur during the season switch.
Use a heavier body lotion
While the face can be your number one priority, please don’t forget your body in the process! A rich body lotion applied twice a day will stop your skin from drying out.
Best skin treatments for Autumn
Sonophoresis Skin Infusion
The Sonophoresis Skin Infusion is perfect for thirsty skin. Designed to reduce redness and hydrate dry skin, the Sonophersis Skin Infusion uses soundwaves that gently penetrate moisture and antioxidants into the skin. It basically makes your face look like it just power-chugged a nutritional, hydrating smoothie. It’s also completely non-invasive, great for sensitive skin and has absolutely no downtime.
LED Light Treatment
The LED Light Treatment uses a mix of blue and red lights that target acne, stimulate healing and even out skin tone (among other benefits!) This makes it particularly beneficial post-summer when your skin may be wearing the effects of a little too much socialising and hours spent out in the sun. While the LED light facial is safe to have all year round, we tend to recommend having it done during the cooler months when your skin isn’t exposed to UV as often.
Photo Rejuvenation
Generally speaking, more intensive skin treatments such as Photo Rejuvenation and Fractional Co2 Laser Facials should be done during the Winter, so now is the perfect time to start thinking about them. Photo Rejuvenation is one of Caci’s most advanced skin treatments, it uses a pulsed light that targets the signs of premature ageing, pigmentation and sun spots on the face, chest and hands. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen, all of which will lead to a more youthful appearance.
Ready to get that Autumn glow?
Don’t let the cooler months dampen your glow, inside or out! At Caci, we’re all about boosting your skin confidence no matter the weather. If you’re ready to kick-start your skin health journey book a free consultation at your local Caci Clinic and they can talk you through the best products and treatments for your skin type and concerns.
We also have tailored skin health membership plans that help you stay consistent with your skincare treatments, as well as spread out the payments, making it more affordable than ever to get the skin you’ve always dreamed of.
