While we’re sad to see summer go, there’s something fresh and energizing about the transition into fall. Our skin, for one, is ready for a break—and a seasonal reset.
“Summer brings on so many elements—UV exposure, heat, humidity, sweat, and more—that can affect your skin,” explains New York City-based facialist Madalaina Conti. “At the end of summer, there’s an uptick in pigmentation, redness, inflammation, and generally dehydrated or congested skin.”
But fall comes with its own set of environmental complications to be mindful of too, too. “As the weather changes, pay attention to your skin’s hydration,” says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, an NYC dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. The cooler temps, lower humidity, drier air (not to mention heaters down the line) can start to pull moisture from the skin, leaving it feeling dry, irritated, and flaky, Nussbaum says.
When it comes to shifting your skin routine between the summer and fall seasons, both Conti and Nussbaum advise against swapping out anything and everything, all at once. Instead, they favor a less is more playbook.
Keep it on the gentle side, slowly incorporating a little extra moisture or exfoliation into your routine, and see how your skin looks and feels. “Too much at once can overwhelm your skin,” says Nussbaum. Go slow and make adjustments as you go that are tailored specifically to your skin type and needs. “When you’ve already got a good routine going, and your skin is in great shape—clear, bright, and glowy—you don’t have to do too much to keep up the amazing results,” adds Conti.
1Adjust Your Exfoliation
If you’ve pared back your exfoliation routine in summer, now may be a great time to slowly add it back into rotation. “Customizing your exfoliation based on your individual skin needs—whether you change up the frequency of which you’re exfoliating or adjust the type of exfoliation you're doing—makes a big difference in skin,” says Conti. “There is no one-size-fits-all all so find out what works for you and stay consistent to see results.”
Some of Conti’s favorite exfoliating multitaskers? Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like mandelic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid to brighten, even out texture, and keep skin clear and fresh.
2Layer a Hydrating Serum
We love serums for their ability to deliver an immediate dose of whatever our skin is craving— whether it’s brightening, firming, or moisturizing. This time of year is especially crucial for extra hydration. “The most important thing is to make sure you’re treating skin with humectants and occlusives,” says Nussbaum. “Humectants are moisture magnets, attracting water to the skin while occlusives work as a physical 'seal' to trap that moisture in the skin, which helps prevent water loss.”
Glycerin, aloe vera, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid, one of Nussbaum’s favorites, are all excellent humectants. “A hyaluronic acid serum can pull moisture in and hold onto 1000 times its weight in water,” she says. Just one hydrating serum is all you need—pick the one that works best for your skin, and layer it into your routine before applying moisturizer.
3Supercharge Your Moisturizer
Moisturizer is an essential step for skin that’s dewy and supple—but the cool incoming temps may require something heavier duty. “Change your moisturizer to something a touch more nourishing to protect your skin barrier and prepare for the dry, cooler months,” says Conti.
Keeping your skin barrier happy is the foundation for transitioning through seasons. “Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of skin composed of cells called corneocytes that act as bricks and are cemented together with natural fats such as lipids, ceramides, and cholesterol to work as a protective shield,” says Nussbaum. “It keeps the good things in and the bad things—such as bacteria, environmental stressors and pathogens—out.” Your barrier also retains moisture to keep skin smooth and hydrated, without any redness, dryness, or flakiness.
Again, Nussbaum recommends something occlusive. Look for moisturizers, balms, or salves full of skin-loving ingredients like ceramides, fatty acids, squalene, lanolin, and shea butter, which are great for cushioning the skin.“These ingredients help soothe and repair the skin while adding a layer of protection against the changes in weather,” says Nussbaum
4Treat With Masks
Masks are an easy way to amp up your skin’s moisture levels without going overboard. “I love incorporating soothing, hydrating face masks into a routine to get ahead of the weather changes to comfort skin and add a boost of hydration,” says Conti. “Ingredients like honey, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid help replenish dry or stressed skin.”
Conti likes sheet masks as well as masks in jars or tubes—choose one based on your personal preference. But regardless of what you pick, the same "easy does it" methodology applies."You typically only need to apply a hydrating face mask about once a week," says Conti. "But pay close attention to how your skin is feeling—if it's tight or dry, or you have a dry skin type, applying it twice a week can deliver even better results."
5Book a Professional Treatment
This time of year is also great for focusing on treatments like peels, microneedling, lasers, and LED light therapy to boost skin. In her office, Nussbaum starts seeing patients for more-intense lasers and peels that she typically recommends avoiding during the summer. "I absolutely love my SecretPro dual laser, which combines fractionated CO2 and radiofrequency microneedling," she says. "It's my holy grail—you can dial the energy up or down and treat texture, tone, fine lines, and laxity."
Many estheticians, Conti included, also recommend a thorough, deep-clean facial at the end of the summer. "I have clients come in for a 'secret menu' facial with me in between seasons for a complete replenishing reset," she says. While everything is bespoke, the idea is that the treatment sweeps away dirt, makeup, sunscreen, dead skin cells, and anything else that might have accumulated and suffocated pores in the summer to maintain clean, fresh skin for the season ahead. "I usually work in a gentle peel, a tailored Qi treatment, cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and more to restore balance, calm inflammation, and nourish the skin."