Bundle up: sweater season is in! As the days shorten and the weather cools down, the drop in temperatures and humidity can affect the way your skin and hair looks, causing breakouts, dullness, dryness and/or sensitivity.
As the seasons shift, so should your skincare routine. But don’t fret! Making small tweaks to your beauty regimen can go a long way: we’re giving you 7 easy skincare tips for fall, to prep your hair and skin so you can enjoy that summer glow all through the cooler months.
How do seasonal changes affect our skin?
Put it that way: our skin likes stable conditions — so when a sudden change in temperature or humidity hits, it has to work harder to maintain adequate levels of hydration and adjust to a new environment. The change in weather, coupled with certain lifestyle changes we make when it gets colder (such as turning up central heat, taking hot showers or steam baths) can also contribute to dry skin and irritation.
Although dry skin can be caused by chronic conditions such as dermatitis or eczema, external factors like environmental pollutants, changes in temperature, and low humidity can also negatively impact your skin’s natural balance.
Here are some of the ways fall weather can affect your skin:
- Weather conditions like wind and rain can increase symptoms of sensitivity, irritation and redness.
- Cooler temperatures can increase skin dryness and dehydration.
- Low humidity levels can worsen skin conditions like eczema, especially in sensitive areas like the hands and cheeks.
- Drier weather means skin produces more sebum to protect itself, which can lead to more breakouts.
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your complexion and hair stay happy — no matter what season we’re in.
1. Change your skincare products
Seasonal shifts = different skin needs. As the outdoor humidity drops, so does your skin’s moisture levels. Drier temperatures means your skin will require extra care and nourishment.
Here's one skincare tips for fall: avoid using the same products all year; instead, adapt your routine to the changing needs of your skin. Use gentle cleansers (like our micellar face cleansers) and shower gels to keep skin comfy and glowing.
Your skin needs a moisturizer that acts as a barrier to seal in the moisture and keep your sensitive areas protected. We recommend switching from lightweight lotions to cream-based formulas to help your skin feel soothed and comfortable throughout the day.
Psst, don’t forget: your armpits deserve a little love too! Choose a plastic-free vegan deodorant that will absorb odors naturally and won't obstruct your body's temperature regulating system.
Our beauty tips: The best time to moisturize is when your skin is still wet or damp. After showering or a relaxing bubble bath, we recommend nourishing your skin with any of our Super leaves body creams. If you have sensitive skin, try our Sensitive Skin body cream - Argan Oil, which will work wonders on dry skin!
2. Amp up the moisture
The best way to prep and protect your skin and hair for fall is to amp up your daily routine with nourishing oils like argan, avocado or coconut.
Your scalp, just like your skin, is also affected by seasonal changes depending on your hair type. Some will get more oily scalps because of their body’s mechanism to produce more sebum to compensate for excess dryness. If your hair is more oily, we recommend you use a gentle clarifying shampoo once a week to help remove excess sebum and buildup. For dryer scalps, try our Sensitive Skin line of shampoos and conditioners, which contain soothing oat extract, and nourishing argan oil, shea butter or avocado oil.
Our tip: Apply moisturizer at least twice daily (especially right after you shower), and use a nourishing hand cream regularly.
To keep your radiant smile, it is also essential to take care of your lips by choosing a lip balm that is nourishing, moisturizing, and, most importantly, made with naturally-sourced ingredients.
Nourishing ingredients we love
Another skincare tip for fall is to use ultra-nourishing and comforting ingredients that your skin will simply love during the cooler season. They absorb easily into your skin and protect it from damage. Incorporate them in your fall beauty routine!
- Super leaves
Watercress, Indian cress, white tea, orange, olive, vine and lemon leaves are packed with vitamins and minerals and have extraordinary regenerative, nourishing and antioxidant properties, which is why we infuse them in many of our products! They help efficiently regenerate, strengthen and protect all hair and skin types.
- Avocado oil
Avocado oil is great for keeping your skin soft and supple! It’s packed with antioxidants and fatty acids to repair and nourish dry and sensitive skin. Non-greasy and fast-absorbing, a daily cream with avocado oil will help protect the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture.
- Argan oil
Packed with antioxidants and fatty acids, argan oil is known for its nourishing and restorative properties, to deeply soothe dry skin and keep your hair feeling soft and bouncy.
- Coconut oil
Coconut oil is fast-acting, absorbent and lightweight. It's high in vitamin E and lauric acid, and can be used daily to moisturize your skin and hair.
- Oat and chamomile
Calming and soothing, these two conditioning agents are known to relieve the scalp and skin’s sensations of itchiness, and make hair smooth and shiny. They repair, condition, soften skin, while increasing elasticity.
- Shea butter
Shea butter is packed with essential fatty acids to keep your skin supple and protected. It has vitamins A and E, and is known for its softening, nourishing and restorative properties.
3. Avoid harsh cleansers and soaps
Cleansing is an important step in our skin care routine, but you could be doing more harm than good with your current cleanser or soap!
Synthetic fragrances and potentially harmful preservatives found in many hair and skin care products can actually trigger signs of dryness and irritation and cause your scalp to become even more sensitive. Go for gentle and hypoallergenic cleansers and shampoos that contain plant-derived ingredients, so you can cleanse without compromise.
Our tips: Wash your face with mild cleansers like our Super Leaves Micellar Face Cleansers. After cleansing, moisturize with skincare products for sensitive skin that help protect and restore your skin. For your hair, we recommend our Nourishing and Strengthening shampoo and conditioner duo, or our Moisture Rich Shampoo and conditioner.
4. Layer it up!
Don’t just layer on clothes for fall, layer your skin care! Layer your skincare products in order of their thickness. Our skincare tip: On freshly cleansed skin, you’ll want to start with the lightest products (like a serum) and work your way towards your thicker moisturizer (if you’re working to moisturize more, try applying a hydrating serum, then a nourishing oil underneath your favorite moisturizer.
5. Don’t skip the sunscreen
Just because it's cooler outside, doesn't mean you have to give up sunscreen! Although UV rays are stronger during the summertime, they are still present throughout all seasons, so it's important to wear daily sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection. We recommend our Plastic-Free Sunscreen Stick for the face and body, which you can conveniently carry on the go. (Try our orange blossom or tropical flavor to keep you in the spirit of summer!).
6. Cool it down with the hot water!
However tempting it may be, avoid rising the water temperature. Although stepping into a warm bath can rejuvenate you on a cold day, hot water can also strip your body of its natural oils and dry up your hair shaft and skin. To prevent that, we recommend bathing in warm or lukewarm water and shortening your shower sessions to 10 minutes or less. If you’re feeling bold, use cool water at the end of your shower to help seal your pores and lock in moisture.
7. Eat nutrient-rich foods and stay hydrated
While we love this season for so many reasons (including pumpkin spice everything), it's also the time of year when flu prevention becomes top of mind. Maintain a diet rich in vitamin E, C, B2 , B3 zinc and omega-3 fatty acids – by eating nutritious foods like fish, nuts, protein and leafy greens to help boost your immune system,collagen production and improve your skin’s elasticity and suppleness. Drinking enough water (approximately 2-3 liters a day) is also key to keeping your skin and hair well hydrated and replenished.
When it comes to beauty, seasonal skincare is the way to go. Your skin undergoes a lot of changes in between seasons. So implementing an adaptable skincare regimen and following these skincar tips for fall will bring your skin to new heights!
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