Fall is right around the corner, and with it, fall skin problems. As the weather gets colder, drops in humidity cause dry air, and allergies cause an immune response. Due to this, more and more people are looking for fall skin care tips to resolve dry, itchy skin conditions. In fact, one in three people in the U.S. has at least one skin condition to manage, with many dealing with fall flare-ups.
The solution isn’t to just cover it up or shy away. You must treat it!
The skin care routine you laid out for the summer isn’t compatible with the new season. You need to consider this seasonal shift by ensuring your routine and products are appropriate. That way, you can spend less time covering up and more time enjoying all the wonderful events that come with autumn.
Common Fall Skin Problems
If you were worried that only your skin was affected by fall weather changes, worry no more. Virtually everyone’s skin is affected by the season. Yours just may be more pronounced if you already have any underlying skin conditions.
Here are a few of the most common fall skin problems people experience this time of year…
Dry/Cracked Skin
Cracked skin refers to skin that is very dry, irritated, or inflamed. It’s caused by a lack of moisture produced or applied to your skin and can affect your feet, hands, lips, forehead, arms, or any other part of your body. As it turns out, this is particularly common in the fall because the air doesn’t retain moisture as well when it’s cool compared to the warm summer months.
Dullness
Another problem associated with dry skin in the fall is dull skin. That natural radiance your skin often has in the summer typically fades as the cool air of fall approaches. If you’re having trouble sleeping or making poor lifestyle choices, these can also play a role in the lack of radiance in your skin.
Discoloration
Patches of skin discoloration are also common and can be the result of many different causes. They can appear as any color that shows up on your skin that is different from your normal skin tone. According to Popular Science research, there are cells in your body that produce a pigment called melanin, which helps protect your skin from UV radiation. When there’s an overproduction of melanin, it can lead to skin discoloration.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that causes redness, irritation, and small bumps that are mistaken for acne. It is also often associated with swelling in the same area. The skin condition can happen any time of the year. However, most people experience flare-ups during seasonal changes.
Chapped Lips
Dry, cracked, and peeling lips also make the list of common skin problems. According to a consultant dermatologist at The Dermatology Clinic, Daniel Glass, this is due to the combination of exposure to the cold and dry air outside and the heated air inside.
Irritation
While skin irritation can also be a result of dry skin from the seasonal change, allergies are another factor that affects your skin in autumn. This is because the allergens in the fall air often cause an immune response in your body.
Acne
Acne is another skin condition that can happen any time of the year. However, it seems to be particularly prevalent around fall time.
Why?
This could be for several reasons. The following can all cause acne:
- Hormones
- Lifestyle choices
- Lack of proper skin care
That said, you do produce more sebum (an oily, waxy substance your body produces) in dry conditions like fall, so you can see more acne breakouts due to clogged pores.
Do any of these skin problems sound familiar?
The good news is you can address them this year by implementing the right fall skin care tips!
7 Fall Skin Care Tips That Can Help
Now that you’re familiar with the most common fall skin problems, let’s talk about fall skin care tips that can help resolve these issues. After all, “beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin” (Gwyneth Paltrow). So, here are surefire ways to keep your skin shining even if the sun isn’t anymore.
1) Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key to soothing your troubled complexion in the fall. If lack of moisture in your skin is the primary cause of most skin conditions, then it only makes sense that keeping your body hydrated helps. More specifically, it flushes out toxins that cause pimples and acne, helps moisturize, and prevents your skin from losing elasticity (which causes dry and flaky skin) associated with dehydration.
2) Trade in Your Moisturizer for a Thicker Version
Less is more in the summer, but fall requires a thicker moisturizing cream in your daily skin routine. This is because a thicker cream will offer more hydration while protecting your face from the environmental triggers that can cause a flare-up. A good upgrade is one that locks the water in while keeping out triggers that can cause inflammation.
So, as you apply these fall skin care tips, be on the lookout for a thicker, more hydrating moisturizer that will carry you through autumn.
3) Be Careful When Exfoliating
Exfoliating is necessary for removing dry skin and unclogging pores. However, it can further irritate sensitive/irritated skin if you overdo it. In fact, according to Joshua Zeichner, an NYC board-certified dermatologist, too much exfoliation can “create tiny cracks in the skin barrier that lead to more loss of hydration and inflammation.”
4) Use a Mild Cleanser Free of Sulfates
It isn’t uncommon for people with sensitive skin to be more prone to acne, clogged pores, and skin irritation when using products with sulfate in them. In fact, one of its most common side effects is dry skin. When trying to reduce dry skin, the last thing you want to do is get a cleanser full of an ingredient known for causing it!
So, if you want to cleanse and refresh your sensitive skin without experiencing irritation, look for a cleanser that’s free of sulfates, such as the Soothing Daily Cleanser from our Ethos Skincare line.
5) Avoid Hot Water
As crazy as it may sound, even hot water can irritate your skin and cause flare-ups, so it’s important that you avoid it whenever possible. According to Healthline, the problem is that “hot water causes damage to the keratin cells that are located on the most outer layer of our skin, [which] creates dry skin and prevents the cells from locking in moisture.”
6) Nourish Your Lips
Is dry, cracked lips one of the fall skin problems you’re experiencing? Then you need to add more nourishment to your skin care routine. This includes using products that have hydrating and healing ingredients and using lip exfoliants that are sugar based. On the other hand, stay away from ingredients such as camphor, phenol, menthol, or any type of alcohol because they can irritate the skin.
7) Continue Using SPF
The sun may not be out and about like it is in the summer, but you still need to protect your skin from sun damage in the fall.
Make no mistake—this is one of the most important fall skin care tips to keep in mind.
The truth is, it doesn’t matter how cool or cold it is outside. The sun’s UV rays are still harmful to your skin cells and DNA. So, don’t remove SPF from your daily regimen when the temperatures start to drop.
Takeaway
The arrival of fall doesn’t mean you should get complacent in caring for your skin. It’s just as important this time of year as any other!
When it comes down to it, there are many common fall skin problems you may experience this season. As such, it’s worth following the fall skin care tips provided above. More importantly, make sure you’re following a good routine and using appropriate products for your complexion. Whether you’re looking for a sulfate-free cleanser, new SPF, or thicker moisturizer, we’ve got you covered. Shop for high-quality products to fit your seasonal skin needs at ethosskincareco.com.