Get skincare ready for Autumn and Winter
The change in weather means it’s time to consider changes to your skincare routines. Autumn brings cooler weather, which will have an impact on our skin. So we’re exploring how your skin might change with the seasons and what you can do to help your skin cope.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Firstly, let’s address what we’re all thinking!
Cooler weather does NOT mean you can skip the SPF in your routine. You may be at less risk from sunburn caused by UVB(urn) rays during the autumn/winter months, especially if like us you live in the UK.
BUT, the UVA rays that are primarily responsible for aging the skin, are the same concentration all year round. Yes, that’s right. We’ll say it louder for those in the back… SAME ALL YEAR ROUND!
These rays can even penetrate glass. Always finish your routine with a good quality SPF, ideally one with an SPF of 30 or above. For more information, you can read our full blog on sun protection here and shop the sun protection range. We are sure to stock the right SPF for you.
Effect of colder temperatures on our skin
So what changes might we experience as the nights draw in and the cooler months approach? Often the two main changes that can affect the skin are the colder temperatures and the lack of humidity.
Cold weather is tough on skin! Low humidity and cold temperatures result in dry air which draws out moisture from the skin. Add strong winds to this and you can be left with cracked skin.
We also tend to have our central heating more which reduces the humidity further. Going from cold to warm more often can disrupt the skin’s moisture balance. So, you may find that your skin is a lot drier than usual. And it’s not just obviously tight, flakey skin that indicates a dry complexion. Often grey/dull long skin can be a sign of dehydration.
Changes you can make to your routine
If you are starting to notice these changes, switch to more moisturising products. A cleansing balm, such as the UpCircle cleansing balm, is a nice and gentle alternative to a more stripping cleanser and will help keep the balance of oils in your skin on track.
Introducing a really hydrating serum and/or moisturiser will also help. We love the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense as it is packed with super-hydrating hyaluronic acid to plump the skin.
Our absolute go-to moisturiser is always the Obagi hydrate. This helps lock in your skin’s natural moisture and is a great choice even for acne-prone skin. If you feel like you need to step up the hydration levels, even more, the Obagi Hydrate Luxe is a great option for the winter months. Designed to be applied at night, it works to hydrate and replenishes the skin when the body is in its most regenerative phase (whilst you are sleeping).
Let’s also not forget that the colder weather can lead to dry and cracked lips and hands. Albus and Flora do a fantastic range of active lip balms that hydrate and protect the lips. They even come in a range of subtle colours to give a hint of colour to your autumn routine.
Finally, although hot showers make us feel great during winter, they can actually do more damage! Avoid long, hot showers and use an oil-based shower gel.
