How Autumn Weather Hurts Your Skin
Outside, the temperatures are dropping, and the air is getting dry. Inside, we’re turning up the heat. Through it all, our skin is losing precious moisture. When that happens, your skin barrier can get disrupted, causing dryness, irritation, and increased sensitivity. Extra nourishment and protection during autumn months are essential for skin health and beauty. Without them, a once-radiant complexion quickly becomes dry, dull, and sallow.
Flaking and itchy skin are also common in autumn, as are flare-ups of chronic skin problems such as eczema. (If you’re not sure your problem is dry skin or eczema, start with our informative article to sort them out, and then contact Austin Clinic for help.)
How to Protect Your Skin Against Cold Weather
It’s important to remember that problems triggered by cold weather are not limited to your face. The top of your head, your body, arms, hands, legs, and feet are all negatively affected. Even fingernails need extra attention to stay moist and supple. To ease you and your skin into the cooler weather, we’ve put together simple skincare tips to make it simple.
- Look for Free Facial Cleansers – The heavy-duty face washes of summer are too harsh for cooler times. Gentle, hydrating facial cleansers made from soothing ingredients are the way to go. Choose a cleanser that is free of artificial preservatives, artificial dyes, fragrances, propylene glycol, and formaldehyde-releasing agents. Aspect Dr is an excellent line that fits the bill beautifully.
- Your Body Needs a Warm Bath – Hot showers and baths are warming, but also drying. Lower the temperature of the water to prevent stripping your skin of its protective barrier. You can make your splash time even more skin-friendly by choosing a non-soap face and body cleanser free of drying ingredients. Some can even be used as a shampoo substitute that is gentle on your head when you’re washing your hair.
- Moisturise Like a Millionaire – Swap out your light summer moisturisers for a rich, anti-ageing, ultra-hydrating moisturiser. Active ingredients from nature such as chamomile extract and cucumber seed oil help your skin retain the moisture it so desperately needs. Products with hyaluronic acid (HA) are also winners for autumn. HA acts like a sponge and draws moisture into deeper layers of the skin. “Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet, but it can’t hold moisture,” notes Dr Austin. “It’s wise to layer a hyaluronic serum under your moisturiser.”
- Make Broad Spectrum Sunscreen a Daily Ritual – This should always be part of your skincare routine, regardless of the season. “You want to protect your skin against UVA and UVB radiation, of course,” says Dr Austin. “For autumn, however, we recommend a sunscreen with moisturising properties such as our own Ultra Protect Sunscreen Lotion. It contains aloe vera and Vitamin E for all-day-long hydration.”
If you need help keeping skin moisturised this autumn and beyond, we invite you to contact us at our clinic in Balgowlah for guidance, products, or an in-clinic appointment. We would love to see you soon.
