From Indie's Desk: How I Transition My Skincare Routine for Cooler Weather
The light has already started changing in the evenings (the sunsets are incredible). I'm enjoying all the fresh produce and flowers from the gardens and picking up some new stationery, like I do every year at this time. My kids are adults, but the back-to-school season still makes me nostalgic for new pens and notebooks. I really do love this season.
We talked about the warmer-weather version of this back in the spring, and the cool-weather shift is the same idea in reverse. You don't need a new routine, just some subtle shifts.
Why Does Skin Behave Differently in Fall?
Researchers have measured seasonal changes in skin hydration and water loss, especially as temperatures and humidity drop. So, if your skin starts feeling tighter as the weather shifts, it isn't in your head. If you're in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you may feel it sooner and more sharply than you used to. I wrote more about that here: why skin gets drier as we age
Do You Need to Change Your Whole Routine?
I've never believed in throwing out something that works. The basic rhythm stays exactly the same: cleanse, treat, moisturize, protect. What changes is the weight of what you're using and how gently you're treating your skin while it adjusts.
For me, that means moisturizing on damp skin instead of dry and turning the shower temperature down, which I resent every single time. If my skin starts feeling tight or reactive, it also means easing off the acids. Skin that's already working harder doesn't need me adding to the pile.
What Should a Fall Moisturizer Actually Have in It?
I wrote a whole piece on ceramides, but the short version is that I look for ceramides paired with cholesterol and fatty acids, plus a humectant like hyaluronic acid.
That's exactly why I reach for our Barrier Boost Moisture Cream. With Ceramide NP, AP, and EOP, squalane, sodium hyaluronate, and CoQ-10, this baby really goes to work. I use it year-round, not just when it gets cold.
What About the Eye Area?
The skin around your eyes is especially thin, so it tends to show the change first. As soon as the heat gets turned on, the area around my eyes feels tighter.
Our Restorative Eye Cream is what I use there, morning and night. It's rich without being heavy, which matters when you're putting something that close to your eyes every day. It's also a 2021 Allure Best of Beauty winner.
Does SPF Still Matter Once Summer Ends?
Yes. The tan starts to fade, the sweaters come out, and for some reason SPF is no longer on your vanity.
I didn't wear SPF for most of my life. Not because I was chasing the sun, but because I was allergic to almost everything on the market. What I will say is that I don't skip it now. Our Daily SPF 50 Primer is what I reach for because it goes on like a primer, and most days it doubles as my foundation, making reapplication a breeze.
I'm in the garden nonstop this time of year, so I've also gotten into UPF clothing. Tied Sunwear makes pieces rated UPF 50+. Nothing beats protection you don't need to reapply.
What Else Am I Reaching For Right Now?
The seasonal reset doesn't stop at skincare.
My hair gets really dry for some reason as the temps drop, so I switch to Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath and Hydrating Cream Conditioner. I love all of their products.
When my summer color fades, my face reads a little flat to me, so I add some color back with SBE Beauty Blush Crème in Butterfly, a warm mauve, on my cheeks and lips. And I can never be far from my SWEED Cloud Mascara.
The Short Version
Moisturize on damp skin, reach for a richer cream, don't forget your eyes, ease off the actives if your skin feels tight, and keep wearing your SPF. That's the whole transition.
Fall has always been my favorite season. Maybe it's the Libra in me or maybe because I know sweater weather is just around the corner.
XO, Indie
