Your new-season skincare regime
The ever-changing autumn weather is NOT kind to your complexion, but our face-saving guide will help you battle this season's most common skin issues…
Picture editor: Sandra Waibl.
Dehydration
Switching from a summer of sunshine and air con to cooler weather and central heating is a recipe for dehydrated skin. “You’ll often find that dehydration seems more severe at the turn of the season because of the marked temperature change,” explains Flavio Refrigeri, Director of skin clinic Clinica Fiore. “It shouldn’t be confused with dry skin; dehydration is a lack of water, not a lack of oils.” He advises a serum specifically created for hydration, like Hydr8 B5, £45, Medik8.
Dehydration
Happily, dehydration is temporary and easy to treat – you essentially need to make your skin drink. “It can look sallow, will feel light to the touch and can sometimes look uneven,” says Flavio, “but these factors can quickly be remedied by drinking lots of water and using the right products.”
Hydrationist Moisture Crème, £36, Estee Lauder, contains a Bio-Mimetic Water structured to be easily absorbed and also encourages the skin to retain its natural moisture.
Dehydration
It’s a proven fact that we consume less water in autumn (and winter) as the temperature drops and we feel less need to rehydrate. “I swap my cold water and lemon to hot water with a slice, which makes it as comforting as it is refreshing,” says Flavio. Give your face something to drink when evening comes, with this Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, £12, Origins.
RexDehydration
“A favourite with celebrities, Oxyjet Pure Oxygen Therapy, from £80 to £120, not only allows hydrating products to be pushed deeper into the skin but also encourages blood up to the surface of the skin, feeding the skin from within.” It promises to leave your skin looking youthful, fresh and plump – score!
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation, or sun spots, occur when the body produces too much melanin. “While melanin helps to protect the skin during sunnier months by absorbing ultraviolet light, people often find they notice new patches of pigmentation come autumn after increased sun exposure,” explains Harley Street skin guru and celeb favourite, Lee Garrett.
First up, increase your skin’s dose of Vitamin C. “It inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase which increases melanin production and seems to be able to target problem areas without affecting the rest of the skin. I like Radiance Perfection Serum, £35, REN.
Hyperpigmentation
Ironically, sun spots are often a skin concern of autumn rather than summer. “When your natural tan fades away, the darker patches of skin that have gone unnoticed might appear,’ says Lee. “If you’ve overexposed your face to the sun, UV rays can damage melanocyte cells in the epidermis, giving rise to freckles and age spots appear. Once dark spots appear, it’s hard for them to fade away.”
Rehydrate with products that contain aloe or rose hip – “Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a fan of Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil, £14.85, FeelUnique.com! The aloe soothes overexposed skin, while the rosehip’s fatty acids regenerate cells and repair damage."
Hyperpigmentation
Using BB or CC creams with an SPF will help to even out your skin tone going into autumn. We love Kate Somerville’s IllumiKate CC Cream Broad Spectrum, $48, Sephora, which contains licorice and arbutin that help to lighten and even the skin. It’s light-reflecting mica gives skin a luminous finish whilst protecting it with an SPF of 50. “Once dark spots appear there is always a risk that they will get darker if they’re not protected with a good SPF.”
Hyperpigmentation
Products containing retinol can help to restore skin to its natural state but be careful, they can cause some peeling and irritate sensitive skin. Try Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream, £48, [Skin Ceuticals](http://www.skinceuticals.co.uk/Corrective-creams/Retinol-0-5/p158.aspx https://cna.st/affiliate-link/3m18KYZShYoyeK3Qka7kE2ESdCiiubDz7ZLZiLF9pudijViHaxPuVbrn8PZrLEQDmZLeenT1vpYkKaUsSmkdSbfvFV3A9848FiCbjq1zUwYCHghHGa8fwRK8j48gRy?cid=6138d8e13bf019dd1568a6d8){: rel="sponsored" isAffiliateLink="true"}, every other or every third day until you see how your skin reacts.
Clogged Pores
“Months of using sunscreen on a daily basis thickens its top layer, which can make your skin appear dull and clog pores,” explains Lee. “Plus the constant changes in temperature alters your natural production of sweat and sebum adding to the congestion.”
Lee recommends choosing a cleanser with salicylic acid which helps to remove all traces of sweat, dirt and make-up. Zero Oil, £18.50, Origins, leaves your skin shine free and also contains Aloe Leaf Juice and Glycerin which helps to soothe and calm the skin.
AlamyClogged Pores
Clogged pores appear larger, which can give the skin an uneven appearance. “Sweeping ice cubes gently over your pores for 15 seconds have a tightening effect on the skin, but for a longer-term treatment I’d recommend Dermalux LED Red, from £60, which is a safe way to shrink open and enlarged pores while repairing the skin,” says Lee.
Clogged Pores
There’s plenty of pore minimisers out there but for real results, look for those that list Witch Hazel as an ingredient which has proven to make a big difference. Neal’s Yard Witch Hazel Water, £11, helps soothe and cool oily skin.
Clogged Pores
One of our favourites for clearing the skin of dead cells and tricky dirt, both responsible for clogging pores, is Clinique’s Exfoliating Scrub, £19. Removing excess oil should help the battle against breakouts, too.
RexRosacea
Rain, then sun, more rain, high humidity – autumn can be just as traumatic for the sensitive skin of rosacea sufferers than the heat of summer. “The condition, which can cause redness, dry and tight skin and itchy pimples, is notoriously misdiagnosed by GPs,” explains Laura Casewell, skincare expert and editor of COSMETIC. “If you think you have rosacea, book an appointment with a specialist.”
For those with bumps and pimples, a dermatologist may prescribe topical therapies. “Elixis Elite is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatment that can improve collagen production and skin cell turnover, which in turn gives the skin a healthy glow. It's especially good for those who suffer with the thickened skin associated with some types of rosacea.”
Rosacea
Heat can affect rosacea so whacking up the central heating or increased humidity as the seasons change can worsen symptoms. Dermalex Repair Skin Treatment, £14.24, Rosacea Uncovered, is great for those who find their skin feeling very tight, and struggle with dryness.
Rosacea
Sure, the summer sun can up the redness associated with rosacea but come autumn, its rays are still creeping through the cloud. “Without SPF, your skin is open to an outbreak so make sure your skincare regime includes some kind of protection,” says Laura.
We like the light texture but full SPF power of Ultra Light Daily Defense SPF 50, £31, Kiehls.
Rosacea
Dermatologist-approved brand Bioderma have developed their ROSACTIV® patent, which prevents the dilation of blood levels to calm redness. Their Sensibio AR BB Cream, £14.50, Escentual.com, smoothes the skin’s texture and covers inflamed areas.
AlamyBreakouts
A lot of people change from light tinted moisturisers to heavier face products at this time of year, which can lead to breakouts. “Problem skin is more of a type than a condition (like dehydration) which makes it a little more complicated to treat but the correct skincare can help,” explains Flavio.
First and foremost, try to see a dermatologist who can help identify your skin type – it’s really key to choosing the correct products. “Book yourself in for a cleansing facial with steam and extraction and if you can, make it a regular thing, at least throughout winter.”
Breakouts
Read beauty product labels as you would food packaging and make a point of avoiding Sodium Laureth Sulfate in your cleanser, which will dry out the skin and encourage oil production, leading to breakouts. Choose gel products that are sulphate free like Orange Essence Facial Cleanser, £10.99, Burt’s Bees.
Breakouts
“Eucerin products are perfect for those suffering with seasonal breakouts as they both hydrate and mattify oily skin,” says Flavio. The Eucerin AQUAporin ACTIVE Moisturising Cream, £13.50, Boots, is lightweight but combats dehydrated skin and corrects skin imperfections in one fell swoop.
AlamyBreakouts
Sorry to spoil those hours you spend in front of the mirror pinching your face to within an inch of its life – the experts say, nay, shout, DO NOT pick or squeeze spots. You <will> spread the bacteria and create more.
Breakouts
Instead of your nightly squeeze, apply Overnight Clearing Gel, £37.70, John and Ginger – your skin will thank you for it.
Warning: Sunny Intervals!
Sun damage = wrinkles, lines, the lot. There’s no getting around it. “The main causes for premature ageing of women across the world are sun damage and smoking,” explains Laura.
And just because you’re swapping the sandals for sneakers doesn’t mean sun lotion should be pushed to the back of your cupboard. “Overcast sun is just as dangerous, if not more, than bright sunlight meaning autumn can cause more damage to our dermis than summer.”
Give La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Smooth Lotion, £17.50, FeelUnique.com, a go.
Warning: Sunny Intervals!
Whatever the season, or the weather, your foundation should have an SPF content of 15 or more. “Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation SPF 15, £22.50, Strawberry Net, is a super-light foundation that offers natural cover-up as well as adequate protection. I use it myself!”
Warning: Sunny Intervals!
Ideally, the SPF product you use should be topped up during the course of the day rather than applied just once in the morning, so it helps to go for a light texture – Polyphenol C15 SPF20 Anti-Wrinkle Fluid, £29, Caudalie.
Warning: Sunny Intervals!
Remember that ageing giveaway – the hands? They need your attention come autumn too. We’ll be carrying Immortelle Brightening Hand Care with SPF 20, £22, L'Occitane in our handbag to reapply throughout the day.
