How to Transition Your Skincare from Summer to Fall
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Every September, without fail, my skin lets me know that summer is officially over. This year, it was a mix of lingering dark spots from all those sunny pool days and that tight, dry feeling around my cheeks the first cool morning. That’s when I knew it was time to switch my skincare routine over to “fall mode”.
If your skin is feeling the shift too, you’re not alone. With just a few simple tweaks you can repair summer damage and get your glow back.
Why Your Skin Needs a Seasonal Reset
Our skin reacts to the environment around us. After months of sun, heat, and humidity, suddenly we’re dealing with drier air, cooler temps, and leftover signs of UV damage. A common skincare mistake I see ALL the time is continuing the same routine throughout the year. The good news? You don’t need an entirely new shelf of products just a few intentional changes.
Here are my 5 favorite fall skincare tips that make all the difference:
1. Repair Sun Damage with Antioxidants
Summer sun exposure can leave behind dullness, fine lines, and dark spots. That’s where antioxidants come in, especially vitamin C and hydroxytyrosol (a powerful compound from olive extract). These ingredients brighten skin, even tone, and help protect from environmental stressors.
Find my favorite vitamin C serum -> here
Find my favorite hydroxytyrosol based skincare -> here
2. Switch to a richer moisturizer
Cooler, drier air can strip skin of hydration, especially once we turn on our heaters inside. Transition from lightweight summer moisturizers to nourishing creams or oils to strengthen your skin barrier and lock in moisture.
My favorite cream moisturizer -> here
My favorite oil to add to your serum or add a few drops to your moisturizer to enhance hydration -> here.
3. Exfoliate Gently to Renew
Sweat, sunscreen, and buildup from summer can clog pores. Use a mild exfoliant 2-3 x times a week to remove dead skin cells and soften your skin. When we have a build of dead skin our products can’t penetrate properly and we want to maximize their benefit! You can use an enzyme mask like this one or a light scrub like this one.
4. Don’t Ditch the SPF
I know it feels tempting to put sunscreen away once beach days are over, but UV rays don’t take a break. Even in cloudy, cooler weather, they contribute to premature aging and hyperpigmentation. Keep that broad-spectrum SPF in your daily routine. As a former esthetician I wear SPF everyday, all year long.
5. Soothe & Balance with Hydrating Masks
One of the best ways to treat your skin is multi masking. This means you would use 2 masks - one to exfoliate and one to hydrate and soothe. I recommend doing this 2 x week to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin hydrated. It’s like a reset button for your skin and a little self-care ritual at the same time.
Find the perfect mask -> here
Pro Tip: Do You Really Need to Change Your Routine Every Season?
Not every product has to go, but adjusting your skincare to the season keeps your skin balanced. Think of it like swapping your wardrobe. You wouldn’t wear a sundress in November, right? The same goes for skincare…lighter products in summer, richer and more repairing ones in fall and winter.
Read about my favorite products to repair sun damage and for aging here.
Lastly…
Fall is the perfect season to slow down, repair your skin from summer, and set yourself up for glowing, healthy skin all winter long. With just a few tweaks you’ll notice a huge difference.