While the sweltering summer heat can seem never-ending, soon enough we’ll be in the throes of fall and cooler temps, which always tends to raise the question of whether or not to switch up one’s skin care regimen. Sure, humidity plummets, so there’s less moisture in the air, but does this really mean we have to overhaul our entire routines? Like most things in life, the answer isn’t so cut and dry. It ultimately depends on your skin type and how it reacts to seasonal changes.
Here, with expert insight from three board-certified dermatologists, we’re getting to the bottom of this common query and answering all of your burning questions on the matter once and for all.
How does fall affect the skin?
“From summer to fall, there is a drop in humidity, which can cause the skin to become more irritated and dry,” says Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Ava MD Dermatology. She says this is especially true if you already have dry or sensitive skin, or an inflammatory condition like eczema that is easily exacerbated by sudden weather fluctuations. At the end of the day, moisture is essential for skin to function properly, so when humidity is absent or suddenly lacking, it can leave skin craving more hydration. With that being said, those with oily skin may not be as affected due to the fact that their natural sebum acts as a protective lubricant that can prevent skin from losing moisture and drying out.
The bottom line is, whether or not seasonal changes impact your skin will depend on your unique skin needs and how much moisture it requires to remain healthy and functioning its best.
What parts of your skin care routine should you switch up for fall?
Typically, most people opt for lighter skin care formulations during the summer months when humidity is at its peak, but come fall, many folks — particularly those with dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin — can benefit from leveling up the moisture. “The primary product that should be changed during the fall and winter transitions is your moisturizer, and maybe your cleanser, especially if you have dry skin,” says Dr. Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology in New York City. “I recommend using a thicker moisturizer as the weather becomes cooler, and if needed you can also switch to a more hydrating cleanser.”
Dr. Joyce Park, a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Refinery and founder of Tea With MD, offers similar advice to Shah. “In order to combat dry skin frequently found hand-in-hand with cold weather, I recommend switching your lighter gel serums and moisturizers to slightly thicker consistencies like lotions or creams,” she says. “You also may need to cut back on the frequency of chemical exfoliant use or retinoid use as well, since your skin may become more dry and sensitive to exfoliating.”
If you have oily skin, Shamban recommends water-based gels and creams for fall. “They’re a great way to stay hydrated and moisturized without the excess oil,” she says.
Regardless of your skin type or what season it is, all three dermatologists stress the importance of using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day. However, if your skin is dry or sensitive (or both!) you can definitely opt for a more hydrating formula during the cooler months. The Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30 is a great physical option infused with glycerin and soothing squalane and chamomile, while Naturium’s UV Reflect Antioxidant SPF 50 is an excellent chemical pick enriched with vitamin E.
Which skin care ingredients are best for fall?
If you’re having a difficult time trying to decide what products to incorporate into your fall or winter skin care routine, one of the best things you can do is review the ingredient list. “Hyaluronic acid is a main ingredient you should be looking for,” says Shamban. “It is a humectant that will attach to water to support hydration.” It shouldn’t be used on its own though, she notes. “When you’re in a dry environment, be mindful that hyaluronic acid alone can start pulling moisture from deep within your skin layers, leaving the skin feeling drier if you do not have other key lipids, ceramides and light occlusives in the mix.”
According to Shamban, ceramides work by keeping in moisture while protecting the skin from allergens and aggressors. She also advises looking for formulas that contain glycerin, another hero humectant that draws water into the outermost layer of skin from the air and deeper levels of the dermis. Niacinamide and squalane are two other ingredients that Shah says she loves and always recommends when cooler weather hits.
Tips for helping skin transition between seasons
Skin care is a crucial component of keeping skin calm and healthy during climate changes (again, especially if you’re on the dry and sensitive side of the spectrum), but it’s not the only way to help your skin adjust. For instance, Shamban recommends avoiding long, hot showers and instead taking shorter, more tepid ones to help keep your skin barrier intact. “Adding a humidifier into your environment can be beneficial when the weather is cool and dry,” says Shah. Lastly, Park drives home the importance of listening to your skin and seeing a board-certified dermatologist if your skin is distressed and you’re not sure how to address it.
“Your skin will tell you what it needs!” she says. “But when in doubt, always see a dermatologist who can help you through any skin issues.”
- Related: The best humidifiers of 2023
Skin care products to try this fall
A fantastic go-to cleanser for combination and oily skin types, this gentle formula helps keep skin shine-free and hydrated. “It’s pH-balanced and has gentle enzymatic exfoliators like bromelain, along with a great blend of amino acids to help loosen oil and impurities without drying the skin surface,” says Shamban. Additionally, it helps tame irritation caused by daily environmental stressors like pollution and exposure to harsh ingredients.?
Shamban raves about this balmy cleanser made specifically for dry skin types, which also doubles as an excellent makeup remover. “The essential oil base is blended with bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, provitamin B5 and soothing allantoin to help leave skin soft, supple, smooth and balanced,” she says. “It breaks down easily with water to remove all the makeup and debris of the day.” The best part? Skin feels clean and refreshed, but never stripped.
Enriched with MVP ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 (panthenol) and three essential ceramides, this highly rated serum recommended by Shah is a foolproof pick for all skin types. It’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, and deeply hydrates skin to help restore and maintain a healthy skin barrier. Plus, it feels feather-light and sinks in almost immediately.?
Ideal for very parched skin, this creamy serum does a number on stubborn dry patches and helps restore hydration and plumpness to the skin. It features a patent-pending ingredient complex from Skinfix made with lipids and peptides to aid in boosting ceramides, collagen and elastin, along with 3% polyglutamic acid to help retain hydration. As if that wasn’t enough, it also contains antioxidant-rich niacinamide to brighten skin and reduce redness and unwanted texture.
Creamy and lightweight, this fan-favorite hydrator from Dieux checks all the boxes. It’s nourishing but non-greasy, rich but not heavy and most importantly, keeps skin hydrated all day long. It does so using a blend of peptides, ceramides, glycerin, urea and squalane, all of which work to support the skin barrier and keep it healthy and calm. The bottom line? No matter your skin type, this beloved formula won’t let you down.?
If your skin is dry and also sensitive and prone to redness, this soothing cream from Tower 28 has you covered. It contains a powerhouse trio of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and allantoin, which work in tandem to hydrate, nourish and calm skin while protecting it from further damage. Despite being deeply moisturizing, it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on skin, making it a solid option for various skin types across the board.?
For folks with combination or oily skin, Shamban recommends this weightless hydrating cream from Farmacy. “This super-light gel, oil-free formula will not clog pores but takes care of skin moisturization,” she says. “Moringa and papaya enzymes aid in gentle exfoliation and sop up excess oil that can make the surface of skin slick and shiny.” Additionally, it contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and plump skin while tempering any redness or irritation.?
Another recommendation from Shamban, this rich cream is a miracle worker for dry, distressed complexions. “This superstar replenishing elixir is formulated with a range of African oils to soothe, smooth and protect dry skin types,” she says. “Healthy omega fatty acids help seal skin to retain moisture while ceramides balance and prevent trans epidermal water loss (TEWL).” On top of that, it also features green tea to further help with soothing and nourishing skin.
Shamban recommends this rich hydrating cream as foolproof option for both face and body, especially for those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. “This moisturizer is great at soothing sensitive and damaged dry skin,” she says. “A superior barrier cream, it contains allantoin and colloidal oatmeal to protect, restore and correct dryness and damage.” Shea butter is a key ingredient in the mix as well, helping to keep the skin barrier strong with a blend of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.?
For skin below the neck, Shamban recommends this fragrance-free lotion for dry skin. Despite being a lotion, it’s creamy and packed with supremely hydrating ingredients to defend against dryness. “This ample daily dose of vitamin B, glycerin and shea butter amongst other ingredients all support and reinforce the skin barrier in this thick formula,” says Shamban. “It also absorbs well and won’t leave behind a greasy finish.”
“Ceramides, glycerin and niacinamide along with shea butter offer a super deep infusion of care that softens and seals in moisture,” says Shamban of this multi-use moisturizer for face and body. It also contains the brand’s famous prebiotic thermal water, which is extremely soothing and ideal for strengthening sensitive skin and compromised barriers.
Wearing SPF every day is essential, regardless of the season. This mineral sunscreen, which uses zinc oxide to shield against UV rays, has a lightweight consistency that's great for transitioning seasons. It already contains squalane and glycerin, but you can also pair it with a heavier moisturizer to make sure you don't lose out on any hydration.
This K-beauty sunscreen boasts a silky, lightweight formula with a velvety finish that wears beautifully with makeup or on its own. It features beetroot extract to help fight free radicals, while hyaluronic acid and vitamin E help retain the skin's moisture.
Enriched with squalane, raspberry ketone and bio-fermented powder blend, this sunscreen helps protect against UVA and UVB rays, as well as pollution and free radical damage. The formula blends easily into all skin types and tones for comfortable, all-day, everyday wear.
