Summer is finally (albeit slowly) coming to an end. With what the Met Office is calling the hottest UK summer on record, 2018 has definitely been a scorcher to remember. We hope that whilst you were enjoying the glorious sunshine, you were also protecting your skin from harmful UV rays with plenty of sun cream. But now, as those denim jackets and hoodies start to make their way out of your wardrobe once again, it’s time to start thinking about altering your skincare routine.

The cooler temperatures and cloudy skies might seem like a saving grace to skin that has spent the last few months trying to avoid being burnt. However, autumn brings its own skin-related dilemmas that you should be aware of. The change in temperature and cold winds mean there is less moisture in the air, which can leave your skin dry and dehydrated. So, as September gets underway it’s time to start switching up your skincare routine to prepare for the changing seasons.

Hydration

The cold, blustering winds are certain to dehydrate skin, leaving it dull and dry looking. You should be drinking plenty of water to keep yourself, and your skin, hydrated. Water is essential for maintaining skin moisture and keeping yourself healthy. However, whilst water is extremely beneficial to your internal health, there is some debate as to just how much it can do for your skin’s external appearance. So, give your skin a helping hand with some hydrating face masks.

Hydrating masks are great for revitalising your skin, so incorporate them into your skincare routine. Anything with aloe vera is wonderful for rehydration, or you can even make your own face masks at home using natural ingredients.

Change Your Moisturiser

During the cold months, moisturising becomes incredibly important. During summer, lighter moisturiser is used because we tend to sweat, and we don’t want to clog our pores with heavy skincare products. But as the cold starts to suck the moisture right out of the air, we need to make sure we are using the right kind of moisturiser to combat dry skin.

Switching to a heavier moisturiser is recommended during autumn as skin produces less oil during these colder months. If you have naturally oily skin, it may be fine for you to stick with your lighter summer moisturiser during the day but switch to a more deeply penetrating moisturiser at night to combat dry patches.

A good tip is to be very observant of any changes to your skin. Notice how it looks throughout the day, and if there are any changes occurring as the temperature drops then switch up your moisturising routine accordingly.

A Deeper Cleanse

 Autumn is a good time to switch to a richer, thicker cleanser. During the summer it’s more appropriate to use a more clarifying cleanser, due to sweating, but the autumn and winter cold require a different kind of cleansing.

Look for a cleanser that will leave your skin more moisturised and nourished. If your skin still feels tight after cleansing, you should keep looking for a different one, as this means your skin is still being left dry. The last thing you want is to go into autumn with dry skin.

Exfoliate Your Skin

Exfoliation should be employed in every skincare routine, but it becomes especially important as we move into autumn. As your skin becomes dry, you may notice an increase in the number of flaky patches. These dull spots can be fixed with a good scrub to remove the dead skin and revitalise those areas. It also preps your skin to be able to absorb more moisture and improve the effectiveness of nourishing products in your new skincare routine.

Medically Supervised Skincare Plan

To really get your skin looking amazing this autumn, you could employ a medically supervised skincare plan. At the Aesthetic Skin Clinic, we have a fantastic range of non-surgical procedures designed to give you back that radiant glow. Such as our fire and ice resurfacing treatment – an intensive face mask designed to rapidly and safely resurface the skin, reduce fine lines, address problematic skin and encourage cellular renewal.

We also have IPL rejuvenation treatment. An intense light therapy designed to produce a youthful and fresh glow in the skin. It is done non-invasively by treating skin damage such as removing age/sun spots and areas of hyperpigmentation and redness caused by broken blood vessels. The results are skin that not only appears more even in tone, but firmer and smoother in texture.

Keep your skin looking great by switching up your skincare routine this autumn. You can visit our Belfast cosmetic clinicGuernsey cosmetic clinic, or Jersey cosmetic clinic, so don’t hesitate to get in touch to book an appointment with a member of our experienced team.