Fall Skincare Guide: How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated and Healthy

Today, we’ll walk through the ultimate fall skincare routine, which includes 13 fall skincare tips to keep your skin glowing and hydrated as the temperatures drop.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase a product through my link at no extra cost to you. All items are carefully curated by me and reflect my honest opinion.

How Cooler Weather Impacts Your Skin

As temperatures drop, the humidity levels drop, and two key things happen to our skin:

Increased Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL): Cooler weather and drier air can lead to higher TEWL, where your skin loses moisture more quickly.
Altered Microbiome: Cooler temperatures can shift your skin’s microbiome, which may lead to dry skin or irritation.

The result? Our skin may become drier and more irritated as its protective barrier weakens and moisture escapes more rapidly. Drier skin contributes to dull skin —no, thank you!

Signs It’s Time to Revamp Your Skincare Routine for Fall

Remember, your current skincare routine is a reflection of your unique skin needs.

If it’s working well for you, there’s no need to overhaul it just because the season changes.

You are the best judge of your skin’s condition and if you’re noticing signs of dryness or your skin feels different with the cooler weather, it might be time to refresh.

However, if you’re noticing signs of dryness or your skin feels different with the cooler weather, it might be time to refresh.

Here are some signs that it’s time to update your routine for fall:

Dry Skin: If your skin feels drier than usual or looks flaky, it may be losing moisture more rapidly due to the changing weather.
Tighter Skin: If your skin feels tight after washing or throughout the day, it could indicate that your skin’s barrier needs extra hydration.
Flare-Ups or Irritation: If you’re experiencing more redness or irritation (sometimes even acne breakouts), your skin might react to drier, cooler air.

Dehydrated skin can feel tight and look dull, and updating your skincare routine with hydrating. Barrier-repairing products can help keep your skin plum and healthy through the fall season.

Fall Skincare Tips

Here are the best fall skincare tips to help transition your skin into the cooler months. These tips are designed to keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and glowing, even as the weather changes.

With these simple adjustments, you can look forward to a season of radiant skin.

1. Opt for an Oil-Based Makeup Remover

This fall, switch to an oil-based makeup remover instead of a water-based one.

If you’re still using makeup wipes, it’s time to ditch them and use a hydrating oil cleanser like the D.H.C. Deep Cleansing Oil instead.

It melts away makeup while giving your skin the moisture it needs.

2. Use a Gentle Cream-Based Cleanser

Opt for a gentle cleanser as the weather cools down.

Unlike foaming cleansers that can strip your skin, cream-based cleansers cleanse without leaving it feeling tight or dry.

It’s a simple switch that helps maintain your skin’s moisture balance all season long.

3. Exfoliate 1-2x a Week Max

Exfoliating too often can lead to flaky, irritated skin, especially in the fall and winter when your skin is more sensitive.

Exfoliation is key for removing dead skin cells, but it should be limited to 1-2 times a week to avoid irritation and moisture loss.

Try a gentle chemical exfoliant to keep your skin smooth and glowing without overdoing it. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are perfect for gently exfoliating your skin, revealing a brighter and smoother complexion.

I love the Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner because it’s cheap, effective, and good for sensitive skin.

4. Use A Hydrating Serum & Apply to Damp Skin

Apply a hydrating serum, like the SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, to damp skin.

The active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, works better on slightly damp skin and locks in moisture.

I’ve used this hyaluronic acid serum for years, which still works well on my more mature skin!

5. Slowly Incorporate a Richer Moisturizer

Gradually introduce a richer moisturizer into your routine as the weather cools to help support your skin barrier.

This helps your skin adjust without overwhelming it, providing the extra hydration to stay soft and comfortable throughout the fall and winter.

Sometimes, I mix a dollop of richer moisturizer with my summer lightweight moisturizer, adjusting the blend based on my skin’s needs.

6. Keep Wearing Sunscreen

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean UV rays go away.

UV rays can still harm your skin on cloudy or cold days, so wearing sunscreen year-round is a non-negotiable.

For the best anti-aging protection, remember to apply sunscreen to your neck, décolleté, and hands as well. Consistently using sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to prevent premature aging caused by sun damage.

7. Keep Your Showers Short

I love long, hot showers, but hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, making it dry and irritated, especially in winter.

To keep things cozy without compromising my skin, I take a quick warm shower and then wrap up in a heated robe straight from the towel warmer or dryer.

8. Use a Humidifier to Increase Moisture

Why didn’t I try this sooner?

Low humidity levels can lead to dehydration, and a humidifier adds moisture to the air, keeping your skin from drying out.

Keeping the air moist helps your skin stay hydrated and better handle the dry winter weather.

9. Add Body Oil to Your Body Moisturizer

In the cooler months, opt for a rich moisturizer or body butter, or boost your body moisturizer by mixing in a bit of body oil.

I prefer a thicker moisturizer over oils on my body, but I like adding a few drops of oil for extra hydration when my skin is dry.

This extra step really helps lock in more moisture, making your skin feel even softer and more hydrated.

10. Seal Everything in with Aquaphor

A layer of Aquaphor, also known as “slugging,” prevents water loss and seals in all that moisture.

It creates a protective barrier that locks in hydration and prevents moisture loss—perfect for those cold weather months.

Whether you’re battling chapped lips or dry patches, a thin layer of Aquaphor can keep your skin soft and protected and even give you a dewy, healthy glow. Win-win!

11. Treat and Protect the Lips with an Overnight Mask

In fall and winter, dry, flaky lips are typical.

To combat this, apply a gentle glycolic acid moisturizer to your lips or gently buff them to remove flakes. Then, lock in moisture with a nourishing lip mask.

Brands like Revision, Laneige, and Tatcha are great options, but even plain ol’ Aquaphor will do the trick.

This routine will keep your lips soft and hydrated all season long.

12. Incorporate Red Light Therapy

If you haven’t incorporated red light therapy into your skincare routine – what are you waiting for?!

Red light therapy is a great addition to your fall routine and works for ANY skin type.

It boosts collagen, reduces inflammation, and helps your skin stay smooth and radiant. Plus, it reduces those dark spots you may have accumulated over the summer.

Just use it three times a week, and you’re set.

13. Hydrate from the Inside Out

Remember that good skin health starts from within.

Start by drinking plenty of water (adding electrolytes helps), or enjoy warm, hydrating beverages like herbal teas. It’s the easiest way to get plump-looking skin.

Collagen supplements and bone broth also boost hydration and nourish your skin from within.

Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and walnuts, can help strengthen your skin barrier and keep your skin health in check during the colder months.

Related: The 12 Most Powerful Anti-Aging Superfoods for Women Over 40

Fall Skincare Must Haves

The best skincare products and other items to guarantee a hydrated, radiant complexion.

Splurge: Sanitas Skincare GlycoSolution 5% (Comes in different strengths)

Hydrating Serum

Save: e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Serum

Splurge: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

Rich Moisturizer

Save: LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Moisturizer

Splurge: SENTÉ Dermal Repair Cream

Sunscreen

Save: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Moisturizing Face Serum with Vitamin E & SPF 60

Splurge: Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50

Body Oil

Save: NOW Foods Sweet Almond Oil

Splurge: Augustinus Bader The Body Oil

Healing Ointment

Save: Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Splurge: SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm Moisturizer Ointment

Lip Mask

Save: e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Lip Mask

Splurge: Revision Skincare® YouthFull Lip Replenisher

Other Fall Skincare Necessities

Humidifier to increase humidity when the air is drier.

Electrolytes to hydrate from the inside out.

Towel Warmer to keep things cozy while avoiding hot showers.

Red Light Mask to keep skin glowing.

As we transition from summer to fall, updating your skincare routine can make all the difference in dry weather.

Try out these fall skincare tips, and let me know in the comments which one you’re excited to add to your skincare regimen! Don’t forget to share your favorite fall skincare must-haves, too—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!

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