Autumn & Winter Skincare Tips — Fiona Brackenbury

When it comes to Autumn and winter this is when the skin can struggle and in a different way to the summer. It is believed over 80% of people will experience some form of skin sensitivity during colder months and this is largely due to temperature changes.

How autumn & winter affect your skin

You might not notice this but it's important to recognise and adapt your skincare routine as your cell turnover is slower in autumn and winter compared to the summer months. Your skin will benefit from either extra exfoliation nights (depending on your skin and goals) and retinoids to help increase cell turnover.

The reason why your cell turnover is higher in the summer is mainly caused by the sun, the skin is constantly trying to defend itself from the most harmful aggression, and as a result, the upper layers of the skin thicken to protect the cells. Be aware of this if you seek sunshine in the winter on a Caribbean cruise. Especially if you are on a pigmentation program to tackle dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

When it gets cold the blood vessels constrict, this can be a relief when you are going through menopause and if you suffer from rosacea. However, the reality of this the blood vessels constricting (to keep the body warm) means less oxygen and nutrients reaching the surface of the skin. This can cause the skin to appear tired, grey and like its lost its vitality, vibrancy and energy.

One of the most important functions of the skin is to provide a barrier from the outside world, the skin barrier has a tough time most days but when it comes to autumn and winter it's challenged. Due to the cold temperatures and then the blast of warmth when you come inside the skin loses lipids. The skin struggles with this constant temperature change and if the humidity is low in the air the skin struggles even further. Low humidity in the skin causes several changes, a decrease in skin elasticity, a reduction is the skin's ability to remove dead skin naturally, and an increase in roughness. When the humidity is low, the moisture in the air is low and the air will pull on the skin and steal moisture this weakens the skin barrier and then we see water loss increase.

My top tips for helping your skin survive autumn and winter:

1. It's Time To Switch Your Skincare

You probably heard this saying said so many times, but does that mean the whole routine? I suggest taking this process slowly making sure the switches you do make the biggest difference it doesn't mean changing your whole routine and can be easily switched when your skincare runs out. Making these switches step by step will also allow you to see what is making the biggest change and impact.

Switch your cleanser, be sure to make sure your cleanser works hard for your money, cleansing, removing makeup and SPF should be a given and powering the rest of your skincare routine isn’t something that all cleanser deliver. Now is a good time to introduce milk and cream cleansers if you haven’t already see my blog for my favourites

The Best Cream and Milk Cleansers for Any Budget and Skin Type — Fiona Brackenbury

Switch your toner to a milky toner, these milky toners are the best for instantly replenishes loss moisture and hydration. It’s any switch with big gains.

Switch your hydrating serum to a serum with more omegas to get the balance between hydration and moisture. Some of the best hyaluronic acid serums don’t have enough emollients to help bring moisture, comfort and seal in the hydration.

Switch your moisturiser to a richer cream, this is the last switch to make, be sure to do this switch last as sometimes thicker doesn’t always mean better.

2. Buffer Skincare Actives

If you do find your skin is struggle with keeping moisture in the skin but you don’t want to stop using your retinoids I would suggest doing the skincare sandwich, where you apply your moisturiser first and then sandwich your skincare actives in between another layer of your moisturiser.

3. Listen To Your Skin Barrier

When you are cleansing is the easiest time to pay particular attention, really understand how your skin is responding and how its feeling. The slightest tingle can be a sign that your skin isn’t happy and a clear sign to ensure you don’t them proceed with actives or even an exfoliating treatment.

4. Time Check

During the day and after certain stages of your skincare routine observe how tight the skin is feeling, any sign of tightness and feeling like the skin is thirsty is an indication the hydration levels in the skin are depleting. Dehydration has a huge knock-on effect on the health and performance of the skin. I suggest observing after cleansing, midday and mid-afternoon.

5. Don’t Forget Your Hands & Lips

All the focus goes on the face and the hand and lips are the forgotten area until they become damaged, sore and uncomfortable. Try to get into the habit of every day applying all your skincare to the back of your hands after applying to the face and then sealing with a hand cream and applying lip balms that have SPF.

6. Exfoliate Everywhere

This is really for all year round however we do seem to stop or slow down on the frequency of exfoliation in the autumn and the winter, depending on your skin now is the best time. Exfoliating the body will pay dividends in the long run and when spring and summer arrive you will be glad of that weekly full body exfoliation including your feet.

7. Exfoliate Smartly

Exfoliation can be more than just removing dead skin cells, choosing the correct exfoliation can increase hydration levels, help to break down pigmentation and decongest pores.

8. Avoid Hots Showers & Baths

As tempting as it is, try to get the temperature right for your skin and if you can see a bright red line on your skin where you have been relaxing in the bath that is a sign it was too hot and will cause stress and dehydration and lost of moisture to the skin.

9. Saunas Take Care

There is nothing better than in the cold months at a spa day or after a session in the gym taking to relax in the warmth of a sauna. If you are partial to a sauna be sure to wear a moisturiser on the face as this can lethal for the skin, causing stress, irritation and damage to the skins lipids.

10. The Skincare Recipe is Key

Humectants, Emollients and Occlusives, these three are the recipe for happy, healthy, hydrated moisturised skin and a strong skin barrier. Humectants are your hydration heroes, Emollients help to fill in the gaps and help to seal everything in and bring instant comfort and suppleness this serums and facials oils and occlusives are trapping everything in so that is where you have a good well formulated moisturiser comes in.

Thank You For Reading

I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please let me know if you need any help with your skin.

Stay tuned for more blogs and follow me on social media for the latest launches and more Skin School blogs!

Bye for now,

Fiona x

Links may be affiliated links which means that if you make a purchase though one of our links we receive a small commission which helps support and run this website.