There’s something magical about fall—the crunch of leaves under your feet, golden sunsets that come a little earlier, and that fresh, crisp air that makes you reach for your coziest scarf. It’s the season of comfort, layers, and change. And your skin feels it too.
Just as we swap out our wardrobes, our skincare routine needs a shift—one ready for the cooler days ahead. It begs the question: Is your skin ready to make the transition?
Let’s take a look at the skincare heroes that will carry you through the following months (of course, hydration is key) and which products you can store away until next season.
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What might happen to my skin in the fall?
Another seasonal shift is upon us. And even if you don’t usually experience sensitive skin or dryness, autumn’s unpredictable weather can cause flare-ups.
In the fall, temperature and humidity levels begin to drop, causing skin to lean towards the drier side. Add in moisture-zapping indoor heating, and your skin might be stressed before your favorite holiday comes around.
Besides the effects of the cool temperatures and crisp air, now’s when you might see reminders of summer fun pop up on your skin such as sun spots or changes in pigmentation. How come? Your skin produces more of its natural color (melanin) to help protect itself from damaging UV rays—meaning long days in the sun can lead to discoloration.
On top of all that, harsh summer weather can lead to a buildup of dead skin, dulling your natural glow and calling for exfoliation. Not to worry. You can smooth things over with a few tweaks to your fall skincare routine.
How can I update my skincare routine for fall?
Autumn marks the time to focus on two things: addressing the effects of the summer sun and upping hydration. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Step 1: Opt for targeted cleansers
Between the back-to-school frenzy and a full social calendar, there’s no time to waste. That’s why fall skincare formulas need to be multitaskers. Start targeting discoloration right from the first step with gentle cleansers rich in antioxidants and skin-illuminating ingredients.
AM: Coffee brewed, breakfast made—and your skin? Ready for a fresh start. Go for a lightweight, purifying foam cleanser that respects the skin barrier.
PM: Turn your nighttime cleansing routine into a renewing skin ritual. Double cleanse with a gentle oil cleanser followed by a mild resurfacing scrub for a smooth, radiant look.
Expert tip: Even on the most brisk of mornings or evenings, skip the hot water when cleansing. Excessively hot water can aggravate and redden your skin (exactly what you don’t need right now).
Step 2: Apply a revitalizing eye contour cream
The skin around your eyes is some of the thinnest on your face. So, it can use a little extra love during this transitional season. Seek out hydrating, renewing eye contour creams to cozy up your best look.
AM: Early alarm clocks can catch up with your skin. The good news? Vitamin K oxide helps diminish the look of dark circles. Our recommendation: K-Ox Eyes
PM: Help the skin around your eyes start anew each day. Eye contour cream formulas with antioxidant melatonin can help combat oxidative stress caused by daily skin aggressors. Our recommendation: Vital Eyes
Expert tip: Cozy fall evenings are the perfect backdrop for a little extra pampering. Explore an add-on for your eye care routine: try a cooling gel mask, under-eye patches, or a refreshing ice roller.
Step 3: Add in a pigment-perfecting pick
Gentle reminders of summers spent seaside, dark spots can be celebrated as a part of your skin’s story. But if you’d like to soften their appearance, turn to serums and gels to deliver tone-correcting ingredients in a minimalist texture.
AM & PM: Opt for a tranexamic acid and niacinamide serum morning and night. These two powerhouse ingredients help to restore and even skin tone. How? Niacinamide battles discoloration at the skin’s surface. When combined with tranexamic acid, an amino acid that specifically targets sun spots, the pigment-correcting effect is even more powerful.
Optional PM step: Swap out your spot-correcting serum for a retinal formula every so often to hit refresh on skin’s texture and tone. Look for a formula featuring both soothing and rejuvenating ingredients. Our recommendation: Retinal Advanced
Step 4: Reach for a rejuvenating moisturizer
Remember what we mentioned about product layering? Moisturizers are the protective outer layer that your skin needs right now. They can help seal in the moisture that crisp temperatures seek to steal away.
AM: Caramel apples, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce—things are extra sweet this time of year. But did you know that sugar is a key player in the skin’s aging process? Over time, excess sugars in the body can lead to sagging skin through a process called glycation. Turn to a moisturizer boasting carnosine, a powerful ingredient that helps fight glycation and boost firmness. Our recommendation: Age Contour
PM: Add in antioxidants. Nighttime creams including antioxidants (like melatonin), can help undo the day’s damage and minimize any visible signs of aging. Our recommendation: Age Contour Night
Expert tip: Oily, combination, or more youthful skin might do best with lightweight hydration, even as the air turns cold. Keep your skin type in mind when choosing a moisturizer this season.
Step 5: Don’t forget the sunscreen
Whatever the season, whatever the weather, sunscreen is essential. Especially as cool, cloudy days can be deceptive in the amount of UV radiation that’s actually reaching your skin.
Remember: Some of the sun’s rays (think UVA and solar blue light) can pass through the windows of your car, office, or house, leading to sun damage and skin aging. Help protect yourself with sunscreen every day, year-round.
AM: As the last step in your skincare routine or the first step of your makeup routine, apply a broad spectrum sunscreen (meaning the formula protects against both UVA and UVB rays). And if you’re working on minimizing discoloration, opt for a tinted formula that offers natural coverage in the meantime.
Expert tip: Sunscreen doesn’t only protect your skin in the moment—it can also help keep sun spots off the guest list for next year’s Thanksgiving dinner. Keep your sunscreen with you during the day and reapply at least every two hours to stay proactive.
A few more fall self-care tips
AM: Give your hair a boost. Now’s the season when your hair works the hardest to renew itself and naturally sheds the most. Why’s that? Summer subjects your hair to more stressors—such as the sun, pool, and beach—weakening the growth follicles and breaking strands. Our recommendation: Lambdapil Hair Density Capsules
AM & PM: After a few months of salty swims and barefoot strolls, you might notice that the skin on your legs and feet has started to peel and crack. On top of that, as the weather gets colder, your skin (from head to toe) naturally dries out. Show your legs and feet some love with a daily moisturizing routine. Our recommendation: Complete Body Hydration Duo
The final fall routine tip that bests them all? Love your skin, care for it, and protect it, always.
Behind the blog:
Article written and reviewed by:
Amy is a content strategist who turned a part-time obsession with skincare into a full-time passion. Her experience as a creative storyteller includes a range of lifestyle and technology topics across Washington D.C. and Barcelona. What's in her travel bag? Eye contour cream and sunscreen, always.
