Essential Fall Skincare Tips (plus: a DIY mask recipe)

As the weather begins to change, you may notice that some changes are also happening to your skin. Cooler temperatures tend to bring drier air and lower humidity — which can really take its toll on your skin.

When your skin is parched, any fine lines and wrinkles tend to stand out more. Your skin is also more vulnerable to the visible signs of aging, as dehydrated skin leads to damaged skin cells — and in turn, wrinkles. (So this time of year, it’s even more important to protect your skin from dryness and damage!)

Unfortunately, not all of the products that made us glow throughout summer are still appropriate during fall and winter. Just as we need to switch up our wardrobes for fall, we also need to switch up our skincare products.

Here are seven changes that you should consider making to your fall skincare routine:

1. Switch to a heavier moisturizer.

When the air becomes cooler and drier, your skin requires a lot more moisture. The lighter lotions you used throughout summer won’t cut it during the colder months. A thick, creamy moisturizer for both the face and body can help restore essential hydration to your skin. By locking in moisture, your skin will appear more youthful and vibrant.

2. Protect your lips.

It’s easy to forget about your lips, but they can really suffer in dry, windy weather. The skin on your lips is already extremely thin, and there are no sebaceous glands to secrete oils. Plus, as you age, your lips need greater assistance to keep away that dry, flaky appearance.

One of the best anti-aging tools you can buy yourself is a good lip balm. For the cooler months, seek out a thick, moisturizing balm that can effectively replenish your lips moisture levels. It’s also a good idea to include a sunscreen in your lip protection plan. The sun’s rays can still harm your lips in the cold and UV rays are one of the greatest causes of premature aging.

3. Invest in a good hand cream.

Hands often become dry and cracked during the cooler months, which can really age the appearance of your hands. (Remember that your hands can reveal your age before anything else!)

We use our hands for everything, and so they’re vulnerable to the effects of our daily routines: water, heat, wind — and everything we touch. Look for thick creams that will provide a protective layer to your hands. For some extra TLC, invest in a pair of cotton gloves. Lather your hands in cream, and wear the gloves while you watch TV or read a book. This helps to lock in moisturize, giving your hands the best hydration possible.

If you’re looking for a luxurious hand cream, the Beverly Hills MD Crepe Correcting Body Complex makes a fantastic hand cream. With its advanced hydrating ingredients, it’s great for achieving deep hydration as well as improving the look of aging skin.

4. Moisturize every day.

This one may seem a little obvious, but it’s absolutely essential. Moisturizing is key for achieving younger-looking skin and should always be part of your daily routine.

In the chilly fall weather, this is even more important. As the days get cooler, we tend to blast our heaters day and night. The wind whips our faces when we venture outside, and dry air strips away any remaining hydration. To combat this moisture-zapping cycle, be sure use a deeply moisturizing cream.

5. Don’t forget the sunscreen.

Just because you’re not on the beach doesn’t mean you should neglect sunscreen. The best thing you can do for your own anti-aging routine is to make sunscreen a daily habit — every day of the year. Sun damage can happen on a cloudy day, and it can happen on a fall day. A broad-spectrum sunscreen is the most essential item in your beauty arsenal.

6. Try a hydrating mask.

It’s time to bring out the moisturizing masks! And it’s also the perfect season for a long, warm soak in the bathtub. Lather on a great hydrating mask, then settle back in the calm waters of the bath. You’ll get an intense moisture boost that will leave your skin soft and smooth. You’ll also get a much needed time-out. Lock the door and kick back!

For an easy hydrating mask you can make at home, combine one avocado, a tablespoon of olive oil, two tablespoons of plain yogurt, and one tablespoon of honey. Mix until you achieve a creamy consistency, then smooth onto the face and let sit for at least 10 minutes.

7. Hydrate the old-fashioned way.

What is the best way to replace water in your body? Consume more water! Don’t forget to hydrate the old-fashioned way, and drink plenty of water. A hydrated body always reflects itself in the skin.

Keep a bottle of water on your desk at work, and try to always travel with one in your handbag or backpack. You can also sip on tea or snack on water-rich foods like cucumber, bell peppers, zucchini, or celery. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Put your best skin forward

One of the most important things you can do when the season changes is to listen to your skin. Pay attention to how the weather and different products affect your skin. Then, you can find solutions which will work best for your individual skin type.

Your fall skincare routine will be personal to you. The most important goal: maintaining that healthy skin all year long.

For more health and beauty tips, keep reading:

Why You Should Massage Your Face While Cleansing