Our Perfect Fall Skin Care Regimen

While many people look forward to a refreshing, cool autumn after a long, hot summer, it is important to remember that your skin needs to be treated differently as the seasons change. Changing your beauty and skincare routine regularly, depending on the weather, and remaining in close contact with your dermatologist, can keep your skin looking beautiful year round.

During the fall, the skin needs extra nourishment and protection. Three things that everyone should do to protect one’s skin in the autumn include: drinking lots of water to remain hydrated, applying moisturizer before going outside to give it time to be absorbed and continue to use a sunscreen. These three things are essential for our fall skin care regimen.

Autumn presents special challenges to the face, body, hands, nails and feet. Here are some of our favorites for our fall skin care regimen:

Face/Scalp

It is still crucial to use sunscreen in autumn with SPF of at least 15 to start your fall skin care regimen. Moisturizing is more important than ever, regardless of skin type. In fact, even oily skin needs a moisturizer. People with seborrhea, or dandruff, may experience autumn flare-ups. This chronic inflammatory skin disorder can be controlled by washing with special soaps and shampoos or topical steroids. If seborrhea does not improve or worsens, a dermatologist can provide additional treatments.

Body

Moisturizer that is applied when the body is slightly damp after bathing is one of the main things we can do to improve the condition and feel of our skin, and this is the second to be added to our fall skin care regimen. A body oil or cream should be applied over the whole body, concentrating on rough spots including the elbows, knees and feet. Moisturizers with an alpha hydroxy acid help exfoliate the skin’s outermost layer. Exercise is also a good moisturizer, as sweat provides a natural way of releasing toxins.

Hands/Nails

It is not uncommon for hands and nails to feel dry and start cracking or peeling in the fall. Avoiding harsh soaps and the more frequent use of moisturizer is usually the answer to your fall skin care regimen focusing on hands. Also keep cuticles moisturized with cuticle oil two to three times a week to avoid cracked, painful skin around the fingernails.

Feet

A major problem associated with the skin of the feet upon summer’s end is dry, cracked heels caused by wearing open-backed shoes during the summer. Cracked heel problems can be relatively mild, with dry or flaky skin, to very severe and painful, with hard skin and deep fissures that are prone to bleeding and make walking uncomfortable. Cracked heels can be improved by taking care of the feet by using a natural foot scrub and pumice stone to slough away dead skin and moisturizing with a highly concentrated emollient base, petroleum jelly or a healing, natural oil, such as olive or sesame, urea or alpha hydroxy acid. Some prescription creams may be required in resistant cases.

Here are some additional tips for our fall skin care regimen if you want to add pumpkin and cinnamon to your routine: