I’m loving the fall season: once October rolls around, my apartment is filled with pumpkin decorations; I’m switching out my light pink lip color for more browns and reds, and — yes — I’m eating a lot of pumpkin spice stuff. However, this seasonal change also applies to my fall hair care and Skin care routine.
For most of us, cooler weather means drier and sometimes duller skin, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Having a transitional skincare routine can help your face look its best, even in cold, dry weather. But you might be wondering: Which skin care ingredients, specifically, can help you achieve this? Here we work with board certified dermatologist, Miriam HansenMD, Hope MitchellMD and Litina ChungMD, on what skin care ingredients you should start prioritizing in the coming cooler weather (if you haven’t already). Plus, they share tips on when, how, and who can benefit the most. them, Front.
What ingredients should I add to my fall skin care routine?
“As the seasons transition into fall and winter, it’s important to adjust your skin care routine to meet the changing needs of your skin and the increased dryness and sensitivity that the season brings,” says Dr. Mitchell. To that end, here are some standout ingredients to incorporate into your daily routine when the weather gets colder, including hyaluronic acid, Vitamin Cceramide, Nicotinamideand Retinol. Each of these ingredients deeply moisturizes, nourishes and brightens skin, and depending on your skin type and concerns, they can all fit into different parts of your routine. According to dermatologists, each ingredient can be used morning and night, and multiple times a week, depending on skin tolerance. Here are the key points on when to use each method and how to use it:
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hyaluronic acid
“Hyaluronic acid’s superpower is water retention, which is exactly what you need in cold weather,” says Dr. Chung. Not only does it make skin look and feel plumper, but it deeply hydrates and helps with a radiant glow. Dr. Mitchell recommends applying hyaluronic acid to clean, damp skin at the start of the morning to help retain moisture and keep your face hydrated throughout the day. You can choose a hyaluronic acid serum for this step, e.g. Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum ($49), or La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($40).
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another highly recommended ingredient, experts say. “Vitamin C brightens skin and protects against environmental stressorsthey are It occurs in the colder months,” Dr. Mitchell said. After cleansing and applying your hyaluronic acid serum, she recommends applying vitamin C on top. we like Ole Henriksen Truth Hydrating Vitamin C Serum ($56) for a lightweight, hydrating finish, or Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Acid ($182), a more potent option, contains 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, and ferulic acid to brighten skin and protect it from free radicals.
Nicotinamide
Dr. Chung describes nicotinamide as a workhorse: It’s anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, and helps even out discoloration. Dr. Mitchell recommends using niacinamide after a vitamin C serum to help address redness or pigmentation. Choose a serum like this Ordinary Nicotinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum ($6), which contains zinc to help manage excess oil production. we also like Byoma Nicotinamide Brightening Serum ($16), which contains niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to brighten and hydrate (without feeling tacky).
Retinol
Finally, dermatologists recommend incorporating retinol into your daily routine this fall because of its ability to promote cell turnover and keep skin fresh and rejuvenated. “Incorporate retinol into your routine after cleansing at night. Since it can cause dryness, follow up with a ceramide-rich moisturizer,” says Dr. Mitchell. we like Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Serum ($48) because it also contains glycerin and ectoine, which will make your face feel cooler if you’re thirsty. we also like Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum ($20), which uses bakuchiola gentler retinol alternative with exfoliating properties.
ceramide
Dr. Hansen says if you’re shopping for new skin care products this season, prioritize looking for products that: ceramidehelps strengthen the skin barrier. You can adjust your morning and nighttime routine with a ceramide moisturizer to keep your skin feeling bouncy and plump (rather than dry and papery). use Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream ($60) or CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($14) as the penultimate or final step in your morning and evening skincare routine (remember, SPF should always be your last step in the morning, all year round).
Which skin types should incorporate these ingredients into their fall skin care routine?
Of course you should keep your Before adapting and customizing your skin care routine with new ingredients, consider your specific skin type and concerns. However, dermatologists agree that most of these ingredients, especially hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C, are suitable most Skin type. “Retinol is great for normal to oily and combination skin types with issues like acne, but should be used Use caution if you have dry or sensitive skin,” says Dr. Mitchell.
Start with a low dose of retinol once a week and gradually incorporate it into your daily regimen up to 3 times a week. build tolerance Element. Dry and sensitive skin types should choose retinol serum That yes buffered Contains soothing ingredients InnBeauty Project Retinol Mix ($48), contains a chamomile formula to help calm redness and irritation.
Niacinamide is well tolerated by most skin types, but it can be beneficial if you want to lighten discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Hansen says niacinamide can also benefit people with rosacea, and offers a pro tip: “Add niacinamide to your sunscreen or moisturizer to help reduce redness,” she says explain.
What these ingredients should not be mixed with
Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and ceramides often work well with other skin care ingredients. Still, experts warn you to continue carefully Incorporate niacinamide and retinol into your daily routine. “Nicotinamide should not be mixed with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), as these acids can lower the pH of niacinamide and cause reduced efficacy and irritation,” says Dr. Hanson.
Similarly, Retinol should not be used Use it with exfoliating acids instead, and dermatologists recommend using it every other day to prevent over-exfoliation. “Use retinol and vitamin C separately,” says Dr. Mitchell. She recommends using retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning, as mixing the two can cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Tips for adjusting skin care products in cold weather
In addition to incorporating these skin-care ingredients when the weather gets colder, dermatologists also recommend switching to a gentle cleanser to prevent stripping your skin of its natural oils. we like Tower 28 SOS Gentle Moisturizing Gel Cleanser ($20) for face. has been worked out Contains aloe vera, glycerin and oat extract, so Excellent Gentle and moisturizing.
Experts also recommend considering using a humidifier ( Canopy bedside humidifier ($110, an editor’s favorite), run it in the bedroom every night to keep moisture in the air so your skin doesn’t dry out while you sleep. Of course, protect your skin every day with broad-spectrum SPF (and we’ll shout it out to those in the back: yes, you should still wear sunscreen year-round – even if it’s cold outside!).
final harvest
If you have a solid skincare routine that you’re happy with, there’s no need to throw everything out and start from scratch in the name of a new season. But if your skin (like mine) is getting dry and dull as the weather gets colder, there are some intentional adjustments you can make this fall and winter to keep your skin looking its best.
Depending on your concerns, prioritize ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, ceramide, and retinol, which can help you fight dullness while keeping your face plump and hydrated. If you feel dry, you may find that adding a humidifier to your home helps keep the air moist so it doesn’t absorb moisture from your skin. And, whatever you do, don’t skip sunscreen (at least SPF 30) because, yes, even if it’s cold outside, you should still protect your skin from UV rays.
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