Reset Your Beauty Routine With These Glowy Skincare Tips

You've got washing your face down to a science and maybe even perfected glowy skin, but keeping skin soft and clear in the fall and winter is very different than in the summer. As temps cool and humidity fades, the skin registers those changes and can struggle to maintain moisture. When this happens, skin becomes prone to dryness, flakiness, redness, and breakouts. To prep your skincare routine for fall, we've identified a few important switches to make along with some products to swap into your regimen.

Use A Gentle Cleanser

Skin produces less oil in the fall and winter, making it a good time to trade water- and gel-based cleansers for cream-based ones. These can help the skin maintain natural oils and jump-start the hydrating process before you even moisturize. Just be sure to avoid anything with a high alcohol content or oil-stripping ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid.

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser ($20)

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($18)

Renée Rouleau Moisture Protecting Cleanser ($39)

Slather On Hyaluronic Acid Before Moisturizing

Another way to boost your skin’s moisture levels is to use a hydrating serum like hyaluronic acid, which helps skin absorb moisturizers. It’s a naturally occurring compound found in the body that declines as we age, making skin more susceptible to dryness. The good news is it can be applied topically to help replace what's lost and lock in moisture.

Maelove Hydrator B5 Gel ($30)

Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum ($38)

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($14)

Switch to a Thicker Moisturizer

During the warmer months, we tend to use water- and gel-based moisturizers, but to combat cold, dry air, try one that’s creamier and heavier. A moisturizer with ceramides, naturally occurring fatty acids, can protect the skin barrier and help prevent redness, dryness, itchiness, and cracking. Glycerin and squalane are other ingredients to look for. The former is a natural humectant that locks in moisture, while the latter is an emollient that coats the skin’s protective barrier.

Tatcha Indigo Cream ($88)

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($20)

drunk elephant beauty products skincare tips

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped ($60)

Don’t Forget Body Lotion

Humidity can make skipping body lotion possible (although not advisable), but drier air can quickly lead to itchy and cracked skin. Daily moisturizing can help counteract this. Look for body lotions with ceramides, squalane, niacinamide, and/or hyaluronic acid to keep your skin soft until spring.

Nécessaire Body Lotion ($25)

Paula's Choice Daily Replenishing Body Cream ($25 $20)

Dove Body Love Cream Oil ($7)

Exfoliate Less

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, making the skin feel softer, so it can be tempting to do daily when your skin feels dry and rough. But too much exfoliation can strip skin of its natural oils and create small cracks in the skin's barrier. This can lead to inflammation and dry, red skin.

There are two types of exfoliants: scrubs that contain natural ingredients like salt, sugar, and rice powder and chemical exfoliants that use chemicals like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to slough off dead skin. If you’re using a scrub, look for gentler exfoliants like rice powder, sea moss, or jojoba beds. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, look for one that features hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, or niacinamide.

Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peeling Powder ($68)

Cocokind Sea Moss Exfoliator ($20)

Moon Juice Acid Potion Liquid Exfoliator ($42)

Use Lip Balm

Don’t forget about your lips — not that you can when they’re chapped. To prevent dry, flaky, and cracked lips during the colder months, use a balm that features moisture-locking ingredients like glycerin, beeswax, or petroleum jelly.