Autumn has finally kicked in, leaves begin to turn golden, the air feels crisp and cool, it’s that time of year when your skin deserves a little extra love for the fall season. Just as you switch out your summer wardrobe for cosy sweaters and warmer attire, your skin also demands a simple yet robust autumn season skin care routine to emit that effortless glow.
The autumn spell may not be around for long, but it surely does take a toll on your skin no matter what the skin type is.
As autumn sets in, you have probably noticed the change in the air.
It is getting drier, and the humidity levels are dropping, which can only mean one thing – a potential nightmare for your skin!
Dryness, flakiness, and increased sensitivity are just some of the skin problems that can sneak up on you during this seasonal shift.
Autumn Season and Your Dry Skin Has A Connection
As the weather gets colder and the air gets drier, your skin may start sending out an SOS for some moisture.
Think of the feeling when your skin just needs a drink?
Yup, this is exactly how your skin starts to behave.
Even more interesting is that an oily skin, too, starts to act haywire as the temperature drops and the dry air starts to take over. For instance, acne breakout worsens, and skin flushing becomes out of control.
During this time of year, however brief it may be, your skin’s protective barrier can take a hit, leaving you feeling itchy and dry.
That dryness can be a real pain, leading to a build-up of extra dry skin, leading to pores ending up all clogged up and causing those unwanted breakouts or skin flare-ups.
Now here comes an ideal autumn season skin care from Harley Street Formulations to help your skin sail through!
The Core Skin Needs In Autumn
1. Gentle Cleansing and Patting
When it comes to taking care of your skin, the first thing you should always do is give it a good cleanse. But if it is autumn, that’s when it gets super crucial to be picky about your cleanser, especially because it will not do any harm to your precious skin’s natural oils.
Browse for the perfect mild and hydrating cleanser tailored to your skin type, because it is super important to avoid being too aggressive with harsh scrubbing or using products that might not be very gentle.
If you do, you could potentially experience issues such as dryness and irritation.
Patting, Not Rubbing:
After cleansing your face, instead of the harsh rubbing that can cause stress to your delicate skin, a gentle pat using a clean, soft towel or even a dedicated cotton t-shirt may be good news for your skin.
How?
Simple. When you pat your skin dry, you are in fact, making sure that it holds back its natural moisture.
This means your skin will remain hydrated, soft, and supple. Whereas,
vigorous rubbing may result in redness, irritation, and even micro-tears in your skin.
Ouch!
Patting is a kinder, gentler approach that helps you avoid these issues.
“Warm Drinks, Cooler Days, Hydration Always Pays.”
2. Drink Up, Slather On…Hydrate
As we step into autumn, it’s essential to show your skin some extra love and attention. With the cooler air rolling in, your skin might start feeling a bit dry and less radiant.
Keeping your skin sufficiently hydrated and glowing is not as tricky as it may seem.
All you need to do is make a small change in your autumn season skin care routine, to keep enjoying a healthy, nourished looking skin as you welcome the holiday season.
What to use?
Moisturising Creams
- Richer consistency for dry skin type
- Lighter or serum like consistency for oily and acne prone skin type
Dr Ahmed Haq, UK’s renowned skincare expert and founder of Harley Street Formulations advises tweaking your skincare routine with the changing seasons.
For men and women dealing with dry skin type, it is better to switch to those richer, cream-based alternatives instead of lightweight summer moisturisers.
Keep your eyes peeled for skincare products with dermatologists’ holy grail ingredients like:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Shea Butter
- Glycerin
- Ceramides
These ingredients may sound somewhat fancy, however, they work great to keep your skin super hydrated, so you do not need to stress about it getting all dry and uncomfortable.
“In order to address this seasonal shift and its effects, Dr. Haq suggests that we need to make sure our skin stays sufficiently moist and retains that moisture.”
Speaking of moisture…
3. Get Cozy with a Humidifier
As the fall season arrives, it’s no surprise that the air inside the homes can start feeling a bit dry.
Thanks to technology breakthroughs, now you can consider investing in a quality humidifier.
What does this do for your skin?
Well, this way you keep that ‘almost’ perfect balance of moisture in your indoor air to make sure your skin remains beautifully hydrated and comfortable.
4. Exfoliate To Turn Over A New Leaf Of Your Skin
Keeping your skin glowing during autumn?
Experts want you to EXFOLIATE
It is just what any dull, dry, lacklustre skin would want to do to free the pores of the buildup and also embrace a healthy looking complexion.
But here is the catch! Dr Haq encourages Chemical Exfoliation instead of Physical Scrubbing.
Harley Street Formulations presents Exfoliate gel (a cocktail of AHAs) that effectively, yet gently sweeps away dead skin cells and debris sitting on top of your skin.
A word of caution:
Avoid going overboard with exfoliation; too much exfoliating can make your skin super sensitive. So, aim for once or twice a week, and later on, make sure you are using a moisturising the skin too.
Fall In Love With Dr Haq’s Skin-Saving Tips
The autumn season also brings some environmental challenges into the mix. Wind, the sun’s UV rays, and changes in temperature can all take a toll on your skin. So, let’s take a look at some practical ways to keep your skin well nourished and well-protected:
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Be Sun Smart All Year Round
A common misconception is that sunscreen is only necessary during the summer. But the truth is, UV rays are active throughout the year, even when it is cloudy in the autumn months.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), those annoying UVA rays are the ones to blame for giving you wrinkles and an uneven skin tone.
So, here’s the straightforward approach: start applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily. This will safeguard your skin from those bothersome UV rays.
So, if you have got oily skin, no need to stress about using your typical sunscreen or sunscreen-moisturiser. What you can do is opt for a powder with SPF, right after your oil free sunscreen application.
It will keep your skin protected without triggering breakouts, and it might even help soak up that extra oil.
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Lips Don’t Lie, Nourish Them Too!
It is officially the pumpkin season, that time of year when the air turns crisp, and our poor lips start to feel the pinch.
You see, when the weather gets colder and drier, it’s not uncommon to find ourselves dealing with chapped lips.
First things first, let’s talk about lip balms. Don’t leave home without one! The secret sauce to combating dryness and those pesky cracks in your lips is a trusty lip balm.
But not just any fancy lip balm.
Experts advise you to look for the ones that are loaded with nature’s goodness – think coconut oil, beeswax, or shea butter.
Autumn-Friendly Skincare Ingredients
If you want to take your skincare game to the next level during the fall time and gradually into winters, you have got to know what to look for on those product labels.
Here’s the lowdown:
Antioxidants Especially Vitamin C
Vitamin C serum in your daily routine is your ultimate ally during the colder months.
“It steps up and fights off those sneaky sun rays, even the ones that manage to slip through your trusty sunscreen.” Dr. Haq explained.
Secondly, the regular usage evens out your complexion and gives your body a hand in producing collagen.
So, what’s the end result, you ask? Well, it’s nothing less than a radiant complexion!
To make your quest of landing one of the most important autumn season skin care products, here is the all-in-one Revitalise C20 Vitamin C serum for face.
How to use it?
- Add it in your AM routine just after washing your face and neck in the morning and seal it with a moisturiser and finally sunscreen.
- Dab it at night right after deep cleansing your skin and finish it off with your heavier serums, and rich night creams.
Hyaluronic Acid: The Moisture Magnet
Hyaluronic acid, often referred to as nature’s super hydrator, has been making waves in the world of skincare. This most beloved skincare ingredient has the incredible ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an unparalleled choice for achieving plump and moisturised skin.
As per a study published in June 2021 in Dermatology & Therapy.
Clinical studies on products containing hyaluronic acid have shown that they can provide your skin with an instant hydration boost and with consistent use for over six weeks, users have noticed visible transformations.Not only the skin’s texture improves, becoming smoother and more youthful, but also those ageing fine lines and wrinkles will begin to soften.
So, it is safe to say that hyaluronic acid has taken the skincare world by storm, and for good reason. It is indeed the secret to keeping your skin plump, moisturised, and looking its absolute best, even when the fall weather threatens to dry you out.
Glowing From Inside And Out…
Experts at Harley Street Formulations keep pushing you to avoid ‘over relying’ on skincare products and skin perfecting treatments.
So, what do they mean?
“You are what you eat.”
Here is what to do right after your daily beauty ritual.
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Stay Hydrated with Skin-Friendly Foods
It’s not just creams and lotions that keep your skin hydrated; your diet plays a significant role too! Think about adding some refreshing choices to your daily meals, like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges. These aren’t just yummy; they’re packed with water that can work wonders for your skin.
2. Boost Your Skin’s Health with Antioxidants
Antioxidants are nature’s gift to your skin. They work tirelessly to combat the effects of harmful free radicals, ensuring your skin stays youthful and vibrant.
Just think about it…
Who needs makeup when you have nature’s palette? Berries, spinach, and kale are rich in antioxidants that promote an even skin tone, leaving you with a beautiful, natural glow.
So, why not make them a regular part of your autumn meals?
3. Experience Luxuriously Smooth Skin with Healthy Fats
Just by adding omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, you are indirectly supporting your skin’s natural lipid barrier.
Experts want you to pick up foods such as salmon and walnuts that are rich in these essential nutrients, and they will work wonders in maintaining your skin’s health and vitality.
Be Autumn Ready…Always!
As the leaves change and fall sweeps in, it’s the ideal moment to tweak your skincare routine for the season’s unique challenges. At Harley Street Formulations, skin care experts believe that every season deserves a skincare regimen tailored to its unique needs, and autumn is no exception.
So, an ideal autumn season skin care guided by Dr Haq is your ultimate bet. From hydrating your skin from inside and out, to keeping the non-friendly factors of the spell of fall at bay.
Finally comes the most important skin friendly habit that you need to adopt regardless of the season and irrespective of your age and gender…sun protection!
As autumn approaches, be sure to have your skin well prepared to shine without much effort. With the right TLC, a tailored autumn season skin care and positive attitude, a healthy looking skin becomes possible.
Here’s to autumn and all the beauty it brings!