In the summer, all it takes is one sunburn to (painfully) remind you to slather on the sunscreen. When pumpkin spice season rolls around, though, you might think that you can safely put that bottle of SPF 50 away — but you shouldn’t. While taking care of your skin during the summer is essential, fall skincare is equally as important, too.
Fall Skincare Protects Offers Protection Against Harmful UV Rays
“During the summer, temperatures are hot and humid, and many people are in the sun doing outdoor activities,” explains Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. “Summer skincare mainly focuses on keeping the skin protected from the sun and reducing the risk of clogged pores from humidity and sweat.”
Sure, protection is paramount when you’re trying to save your skin from sizzling in the sun. Still, those UV rays don’t stop once the back-to-school season starts. “While many people think about sunscreen as a summer skincare product, sunscreen should be used every day, regardless of the type of weather outside,” says Dr. Claire Wolinsky, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. “For maximum protection, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 should be used and reapplied every two hours if in the sun.” Since the sun’s rays are strong even in the fall, you might still be at risk for skin cancer.
Fall Skincare Keeps Your Skin Moisturized
While your skin might feel smooth and supple in the sweltering summer weather, all that changes when it’s time to go apple picking. From cracked skin and dry hands, your skin certainly needs some TLC. “Fall temperatures are definitely cooler, less humid, and sometimes even drying,” explains Green. So while sunscreen might be the star of summertime skincare, moisturizers are really the MVP moving into the fall months.
That’s why your fall skincare routine can benefit from a hydrating serum or moisturizer. “Hyaluronic acid, a humectant, is a popular skincare ingredient found in hydrating serums,” Green explains. “Hyaluronic acid attracts water from the environment to the skin, resulting in increased hydration and plumpness of the skin.” Additionally, ceramides can help retain and lock in moisture.
And when it specifically comes to moisturizers, look for one that suits the current season. “In the summer, many people prefer using a lightweight moisturizing gel or lotion, but as the seasons change and conditions are drier, a heavier moisturizing cream with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid may be more suitable,” Wolinsky adds.
If you don’t have time to apply a plethora of skin products, look for a moisturizer that can pull double (or triple) duty. “For anyone with a busy schedule, the key products they should have in their skincare routine include a gentle cleanser, gentle moisturizer, and sunscreen,” says Wolinsky. “An all-in-one moisturizing sunscreen can definitely simplify the morning routine.”
Fall Skincare Can Reverse Summer Skin Damage
Sun kissed skin might be a signature summer look, but it can also do damage in the form of sunspots and discoloration. Since splotchy skin isn’t exactly sexy, begin repairing the damage during the fall. “Skincare in any season helps to nourish, protect, and revitalize the skin,” says Green. “The fall can be a good time to start reversing sun damage that may have accumulated during the summer.”
How? Skin brightening serums should become a part of your fall skincare routine. “Skin brightening serums work to reverse sun damage and discoloration, creating clearer, brighter skin,” Green explains. “Vitamin C is often found in many skin-brightening serums due to its antioxidant properties and its ability to increase the rate of skin cell turnover, exfoliating dead, pigmented skin cells to reveal new, healthy cells underneath.”
Fall Skincare Can Protect The More Sensitive Parts Of Your Skin
While you should ideally apply sunscreen to all parts of your body, there’s one area that’s often overlooked — and that’s your lips. Your mouth has thinner skin which makes it even more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather, the sun, and the wind. Although you can use regular sunscreen on your lips, you might not like the texture (or the taste) of it. Finding a sunscreen specifically for your lips is a better alternative. “You can never go wrong with throwing a St. Ives Juicy Watermelon Lip Scrub in your purse to reveal super soft, smooth lips,” says Wolinsky, a St. Ives partner.
Here’s How You Can Take Care Of Your Child’s Skin In The Fall
Getting your kid to even put on their coat during chilly fall mornings might already be a challenge, so the idea of slathering sunscreen or moisturizer on your child may seem almost impossible. But taking care of your child’s sensitive skin is so important. “It’s essential for children to stay properly moisturized throughout the day,” Green advises. “Using a fragrance-free moisturizer is best to ensure that no irritation occurs.” Sunscreen should also be applied every two hours or so, especially if your child is going to be outdoors for any extended length of time.
Depending on your child’s age, though, you’ll need to adapt their skincare routine along the way. “With skincare trending in tweens, it’s important to read the ingredients and steer clear of using multiple AHA/BHA products that can over exfoliate the skin,” Wolinsky advises. “At 8-10 years old, sometimes children start to get comedonal acne (clogged pores) particularly common on the nose as the first sign of acne.” An over-the-counter product like adapalene can provide gentle exfoliation while benzoyl peroxide (which can help reduce bacteria on the skin’s surface) can be used every other night.
Even though washing their face a few times daily might be a good way for your child to keep their skin clean in the summer, the same doesn’t hold true for fall. “I recommend washing the face only once daily to prevent excessive irritation, especially when using a retinoid or retinol,” says Wolinsky.
Taking care of your skin during the summer is important, but you should also implement a fall skincare routine for you and your family, too. It will help keep their skin smooth, soft, and most importantly, safe.