Is Your Skin Autumn-Ready?
Anytime there is a change in weather conditions, your skin is affected. In this case, the summer sun has been replaced by bracing winds and plummeting temperatures. So why should your skin suffer and what can you do to tweak your routine for the coming months?
The most common symptom of damaged skin during this particular seasonal change is the fragility of the skin’s barrier which manifests as dryness and sensitivity. When there is a rapid change in temperature this damaged barrier welcomes pollution and dirt resulting in aggravated, inflamed and red skin.
But here is the good news…
Adapting your skincare routine from Summer to Autumn means simplifying not complicating it. All that extra product you’ve been slapping on in the heat can be cast aside.
It’s time to go back to basics.
Cleansing is Crucial
It’s important you pay extra attention to the purity of your skin during this shift in atmosphere. That’s right, both morning and evening you need to get stuck in and cleanse, cleanse, cleanse.
Not only does this remove dirt but it gets rid of the very upper layers where debris forms a barrier that, if not removed, will serve to prevent any other product from penetrating the skin. This is also why it is essential that this is the first step in your routine - it creates the conditions for other key ingredients to work their magic. On top of that, the actual process of cleansing the skin gets the blood flowing and aids in the elimination of toxins.
Skin hack: Wash your skin with lukewarm water, not hot!
Hydration is Essential
Thanks to the change in weather, I’m guessing you have reignited your central heating. If you haven’t yet, it is only a matter of time. While it’s helpful when getting cosy, central heating is far from comforting for your skin.
So, now that we have removed the impurities and the dirty upper layers of the facial skin, it’s time to rebuild the right kind of barrier.
Enter your trusty moisturiser.
While your skincare routine is simplified, the fact is that in the colder months, slightly more product is needed to achieve the desired results. So be a bit more liberal in the application - an extra pump or two should do it.
Not only will the right moisturiser protect the epidermal skin barrier against impurities, it actually stops water from escaping too. Look for something with anti-inflammatory properties and antiseptic ingredients such as camomile extract to fight infection.
Incorporate Retinol
One key ingredient which is more beneficial in the cooler months is retinol. While it makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, when deployed in colder climates it is perfect for increasing cell turnover and improving pigmentation. Speaking of conditions, Hommage’ eye serum not only contains Retinyl Palmitate which combines with your skin’s natural enzymes, converting it into retinol, it is also infused with caffeine which helps create the ideal conditions for the skin to absorb the other active ingredients.
Reset Your Skin
While we are altering your routine to defend your skin against the new seasonal challenges, what better time than to give it a full detox? Turn your home into a spa by treating yourself to a face mask, ideally one containing bioactive silt to enhance cell regeneration and turnover. This will improve the look and feel of the skin, creating a more even tone, increasing moisture while decreasing sebum levels.
And there you have it.
If you want to go even further, autumn brings us seasonal food that benefits the skin. It’s harvest season, so make the most of squashes, such as butternut or pumpkin (they aren’t just for Halloween!) These ingredients are packed full of beta-carotene which boosts cell renewal and collagen production.
Anyway, however you choose to adapt your skincare routine for Autumn, take our advice - keep it simple.