As we transition into the Fall, we should start thinking about transitioning our skincare to meet our needs for the cooler months ahead. Colder temperatures can have an effect on our skin barrier, and it’s important to know what to use to keep our barrier in check.
When shopping for skincare, formulation matters. Replace your gel cleanser with a creamy cleanser and ditch your gel moisturizer. Thicker, more occlusive formulations will keep your skin moisturized in these cooler months.
But outside of looking for creamier and thicker formulations, you want to look for specific ingredients that will heal and hydrate the skin when investing in your new routine.
- Beta glucan is my personal favorite to repair a damaged skin barrier. This ingredient stimulates the Langerhans’ cells, the cells responsible for wound healing and triggering an immune response in the skin, making it a great option in treating your barrier.
- Ceramides are naturally found in our skin’s outermost layer and act as a protective barrier in our skin. Applying them topically will give our skin even more protection.
- Hyaluronic acid is a staple in keeping the skin hydrated and plump. It’s a humectant that’s able to hold 1,000x its weight in water; and binds moisture to the skin. When looking for a hyaluronic acid formulation, it’s important to look for one that has both high and low molecular weight HA’s, to hydrate the skin at surface level and underneath.
As an esthetician, a common misconception I hear is that you can’t exfoliate if you have dry skin. But dry skin needs exfoliation! After repairing your skin with one of the formulations and ingredients mentioned, it’s time to introduce an exfoliant. I prefer chemical exfoliants over physical. If you’re just getting started out with exfoliation, some of my favorites include mandelic acid and lactic acid. They are both alpha hydroxy acids, making them water soluble so they won’t dry out the skin if used correctly. They also have a large molecule, meaning they penetrate the skin slowly and are gentle on the most sensitive skins.
Pair your skincare routine with Clean Towels XL for gentle exfoliation, expecially when your skin is dry and your barrier is vulnerbale!
One final thing that’s worth mentioning is shorter days does not mean you can get lazy with your sunscreen. UV rays can penetrate clouds and when it’s wintertime, can reflect off snow and damage your skin at multiple angles. It’s important to stay protected year-round to get the most out of your skin and skin health.
Thank you for reading!
This article of the Skinsider Scoop was graciously written by Michael Razzano, Licensed Aesthetician and edited by the Clean Skin Club team. If you're interested in more from Michael, follow him on Instagram @michaelrazzanoskin.