Don't Stop Using Your Sunscreen
"Although summer is over, don’t put away the sunscreen,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Susan Bard, MD, FAAD, FACMS. While it’s unnecessary to apply sunscreen to parts of your body protected by clothing, Bard says you still need to protect exposed parts of your body, including your face and hands. And although the sun feels less intense during the fall, those UV rays are still beaming down, even through the clouds.
Try Supergoop Smooth and Poreless 100% Mineral Matte Screen, $38, a weightless and hydrating formula that shields skin without clogging pores, making it the perfect year-round choice.
Use a Humidifier to Add Moisture to Your Environment
“As temperatures plummet, we’ll be turning up the heat, which is oftentimes dry air,” Bard says. Don’t forget to run your humidifier to ensure your skin and mucous membranes (eyes, lips, nose) don’t start drying out, she advises.
To keep your skin properly moisturized in heated environments, try the PurSteam Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, $29.99, which uses ultrasonic cool mist technology to keep skin supple and smooth as you snooze.
Stick With Lighter, Humectant-Based Moisturizer
In the cooler seasons, skin requires frequent moisturization, but Bard says that a thicker moisturizer isn’t necessarily better. “Thick, emollient moisturizers tend to contain occlusive ingredients (such as petrolatum, dimethicone, beeswax and lanolin) that help prevent moisture loss from the skin, but they can also clog pores, leading to folliculitis and miliaria,” she says. Bard suggests looking for lighter, humectant-based moisturizers that contain ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin) that pull water into the skin and don't clog pores.
Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid, $12.49, provides continuous moisturization without causing unwanted breakouts, making it perfect for every day.
Be Extra Cautious of the Lip Balms You Use
“Certain commercial lip balms contain ingredients that can act as an irritant or allergen for some,” Bard says. Instead, she recommends applying plain petroleum jelly or coconut oil (as long as you're not allergic) to your lips.
If you're looking for a gentle and soothing balm that's not-irritating, Kopari Organic Coconut Melt, $18-$28, boasts a 100 percent organic coconut oil formula that will keep your pout soft and smooth.
Decrease Your Retinol Usage
“Your skin tends to get a bit drier as the weather turns colder,” says Dr. Gary Goldenberg of Goldenberg Dermatology in NYC. This is a common time for patients to develop retinoid dermatitis, which is a skin irritation from retinol, he explains. If you notice your skin is getting drier, he suggests decreasing your retinol application to every other night and increasing the amount of moisturizer you use at night.
To keep your skin extra moisturized when decreasing your retinol usage, try Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion, $49, which provides 24 hours of hydration.
