Avoid These 4 Common Fall Skincare Mistakes
A winning summer skincare routine might be your skin's worst nightmare in the fall and winter months. Adjusting your usual regimen as the seasons change is important to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Avoid these four common fall skincare mistakes to help achieve a hydrated and radiant autumn glow.
Avoid Skin Exfoliation in Fall and Winter
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from your skin's surface. Exfoliation helps unclog your pores and improves the overall texture of your skin. However, during the dry fall and winter months in cold climates like Minnesota, exfoliating can further damage your skin's protective barrier.
Instead of exfoliating, consider more natural exfoliants that overturn and renew old, discolored, sun-beaten skin cells and promote cellular turnover. These natural exfoliants include bakuchiol, retinol and glycolic acid. Small amounts used at bedtime starting every other night will allow your skin to acclimate to the products. Some products to consider trying include:
- Neutrogena Wrinkle Repair
- Differin gel
Say No to Lip Exfoliation
In the fall and winter, lip exfoliation is particularly problematic for many people because the skin on your lips is very delicate.
Lip exfoliation can cause persistent, dry, chapped lips as the lip's protective barrier is easily disrupted.
Instead, drink plenty of water, apply hydrating lip balm and sleep with a humidifier in your room. Consider products that seal in moisture like:
Avoid Long Hot Showers and Hot Drinks
While hot showers might feel relaxing, they are doing your skin no favors. The hot water can dry out your skin and leave you with dry, itchy irritation. Go for lukewarm water and keep your showers short.
Likewise, hot drinks are so tempting when the weather turns cold, but they can irritate your lips. To avoid chapped, cracked lips, let your hot drinks cool down before you take a sip.
Don't Skip the Sunscreen
Don't let the cooler weather fool you — wear sunscreen year-round. Just because it's cloudy, doesn't mean the sun's UV rays can't damage your skin. Premature aging from the sun can happen all year long.
Just like the seasons, everyone's skin is different. For personalized skincare advice, consider contacting your primary care clinician or dermatologist.
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