Essential Skincare Tips for Autumn & Winter

It's no surprise that it's getting colder and the weather is changing along with our routines. With colder temperatures, less sun, wind, rain, and more, we tend to take warmer showers, use the blow dryer, and turn the heater on, all of which can dry out our skin. 

With all of this combined over just a short period time, we can see redness, irritation, dullness, and cracked itchy skin in severe cases. To prevent this it's crucial to adjust with the seasons and we're here to make it easy and share what to look for in your next skincare haul:

Vitamin C

There is literally less daylight in the fall and winter meaning less vitamin C for our skin to absorb. Vitamin C is crucial for our skin because it's such a powerful antioxidant ingredient. From brightening and removing dullness, to moisturizing, reducing the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles, firming skin, and more,  this ingredient packs a big punch and is even more essential for this time of the year. In your next skincare haul, introduce a vitamin C product into your routine if you haven't already. According to dermatologist Dr. Surbhi, Dermalogica's "Biolumin-C serum is a complete anti-aging package. It has all the cosmeceuticals that your skin needs, like Vitamin C, Peptides, Lactic acid, Hyaluronic acid, and Sodium PCA, to name a few." 

Moisture, Moisture... more Moisture

With colder weather and a change in our routine usually including longer, warmer showers, indoor heaters, and more, our skin becomes drier and more sensitive. With that said, it's best to switch that lightweight moisturizer from the summer for something thicker and more nourishing to avoid redness, irritation, flaking, cracking, and even itchiness. 

Looking for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides will be the goal. According to Dr. Engelman a dermalogic surgeon, these "...are two of the best ingredients for preventing and repairing dry skin..." 

A Daily, Year Round, Must Have

You've probably heard it a 1000 times, but it's SPF. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, wearing SPF daily is "one of the single most important things you can do for your skin." It's probably the most commonly overlooked aspect of any skincare routine despite the research indicating how harmful UV rays can be for our skin in the long term AND short term.  Even in the fall and winter, UV rays can penetrate clouds, windows, and all that accumulation of exposure throughout the years accelerates our skin's aging.  

Some of our favorite products that combine both daily moisturizers with an SPF factor include: Dermalogica's Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 and Murad's Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Both offer a clean and more natural SPF alternative compared to other sunscreen moisturizers. For example, they are formulated without artificial fragrances, colors, parabens, gluten, and more!

Don't Forget the Lips!

Finally, don't forget the lips! Nobody wants dry chapped lips and it's important to pick the RIGHT lip balm! Have you ever tried one that leaves your lips feeling worse?? If so, then you're not alone. According to Dr. Leah Jacob, an assistant professor of Dermatology, "Lip balms, particularly oil-based balms, do help seal in moisture on the skin of your lips temporarily, but once the thin film of hydration they capture evaporates, your skin is actually worse off. It’s left even more dehydrated than before, which means more cracked, flaky, or irritated — and more in need of balm. It start's a vicious cycle." Yes, that means more money towards something that not only doesn't work but actually leaves you worse off! 

Glycerin, lanolin, and vitamins, will actually moisturize your lips and keep them moisturized which is why we've been sharing Jack Black's Lip Balm with everyone looking to find a good lip balm once and for all!