We've managed to creep right into fall right after summer kissed us goodbye a few weeks ago. All I can think about is how much sun damage I've incurred during my stay on Maui, where it seemed that my sunblock was useless! It's time to transition into my fall skincare routine, which will focus on heavier moisturizer, fractional laser treatments at home, and a bit of body exfoliation. Oh yes, and don't forget the
sheet masks! I'll share some of my skincare tips about transitioning your skincare treatments from summer to fall and winter. Let's get right to it!
Key ingredients for hydration
All of those mattifying and oil-controlling products may not need to be the center of your skin's universe any longer. Once the cooler fall air arrives, the humidity levels drop and your skin becomes drier. Those gel and water-based moisturizers that you loved all summer are probably not going to offer enough moisture to keep your skin supple. According to Dermstore.com, you should look for moisturizers and serums that contain
hyaluronic acid,
botanical oils, and
ceramides that will help lock in moisture and create a protective barrier. Your cleanser should not strip the natural oils of your skin. Your mild daily cleanser option should be good enough to remove your makeup gently and exfoliate using a
natural exfoliant (no granules!) with moisturizing properties. As for treatment masks, fall is the perfect time to stock up on those! The main ingredient in your mask should be
hyaluronic acid, which works to bind more water molecules to help restore moisture to the skin.
Let's dive deeper into some products to help you achieve your best skin during the dry seasons ahead!
Daytime Regimen
CLEANSING: If you use a foaming cleanser in the morning, you may be using something that strips the beautiful natural oils of your face. There are a few important things you need to know about cleansing in general: 10 seconds of scrubbing isn't going to do you any good. Massage your cleanser into your face for
at least 60 seconds. This gives the product a chance to work and helps soften the skin. My favorite gel cleanser for morning and night is the
Tria Priming Cleanser, which is designed to retain your skin's moisture while preparing it for laser or makeup application. It contains willow bark extract which is a gentle, natural exfoliant--and it will help combat dryness.
TONER/SERUM: Remember I mentioned ceramides? You will definitely want a piece of this action when you read more about it. Ceramides work as a natural skin barrier that protects you against environmental aggressors while helping you retain moisture. It sounds like a dream ingredient, right? The amazing serum toner
DR. JART+ Ceramidin Liquid contains a 5-Cera Complex to keep your skin plump with moisture. With all the rave reviews about it on Sephora's website, this looks like the perfect product to prepare your skin for your daytime moisturizer.
MOISTURIZER: You will need to keep up with your sun exposure protection during fall and winter, so invest in a product that is going to give you at least SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection. The
Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 / PA +++ is a good example of a day cream that will take care of sun exposure as well as providing anti-aging benefits with pomegranate and grape seed extracts. If you would rather save some time applying your products in the AM, you will love a good tinted moisturizer. You'll combat redness and discoloration while improving your skin at the same time with
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30. During clinical studies, this cream improved hydration 215% after just one week of use!
EYE CREAM: Don't you dare forget eye cream! The cooler weather also drains the moisture from the skin around your eyes, so be sure to apply a hydrating eye cream with hyaluronic acid to help you retain moisture.
Nighttime Regimen
If you read my previous blog post
The Perfect Night Skincare Routine, you will know how important the nighttime regimen is.
CLEANSING: You will want to stick to your daytime cleanser and keep the suds gentle. You can use the
Tria Priming Cleanser as a one-step cleanser to remove everything, including makeup. If you wear very heavy makeup, I swear by the
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm to get rid of long-wear foundations and concealers. You would use this balm first, then cleanse with your regular cleanser.
TREATMENT: If you're over 30, it's time to start stimulating your collagen production (it starts declining at age 25!) with the
SmoothBeauty Anti-Aging Laser and the Eye Wrinkle Laser. You will need to commit to the face laser 5 nights per week, and the Eye Wrinkle Laser daily in order to see maximum results. It is like having office treatments done in your own home at just a fraction of the cost. These lasers are key to restoring a brighter complexion while reducing lines and wrinkles.
MOISTURIZER: You may notice slightly more dryness when using a laser, so you will need to amp up your moisture at night. The
Super C Brightening Moisturizer is specially developed with a unique oil-based form of
Vitamin C and
Hexylresorcinol to brighten and absorb. It also contains hyaluronic acid, that magic ingredient that helps your skin cling to moisture! If the moisturizer isn't enough to combat your drier skin at night, you can opt to use a toner or serum-containing ceramides (like I mentioned in the "daytime" section) prior to your moisturizer.
Don't Forget the Rest of Your Body!
Make sure to carry your toners, serums, and moisturizers down to the neck area and dcollet, especially after all of the summer sun exposure to your chest area. Make sure to get that SPF on the neck and chest during the day, you don't want to cause any further sun damage! I personally carry my foundation down to the neck and chest to even the skin tone to match my face. Your body needs exfoliation all year round, but now that we're heading into drier months, the body needs more care than usual. There are a couple products that I love to use to buff away dead skin cells. For hardcore buffing, the
Baiden Mitten has been a staple in my body care routine for years--the dead skin literally rolls off in the shower! Made from natural fibers, the mitten is a great maintenance tool that you would use 2-3 times per month to maintain your glow. For daily body care, I love the
REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum that contains lactic acid and xylitol which draws water molecules from within the skin to the surface for extra hydration. You should definitely take the time to pay attention to your body, although you may not be showing much of it in the cold weather!
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