Want to learn how to maintain your summer glow all year long? As a dermatologist, I’m a skin care expert. Read on for my fall skin care tips.
I love autumn: beautiful fall foliage, cooler weather (sweater weather!), and less humidity (goodbye frizzy hair!). Mix this with the return of indoor heating, and voila dry skin. So let’s talk about fall skincare and how to repair your summer sun-damaged skin.
Why is it important to change your skincare routine as the season’s change? When the seasons change, so does the environment around us. We need to adapt to the new climate conditions the fall weather brings here in the Greater Toronto Area.
Your skin is always exposed to the environment. This means it is vulnerable to changes in the environment, more than other organs in your body. The water in the air influences the hydration of your skin. A humid climate like we have in Southern Ontario in the summer months makes it easy to maintain hydrated, soft skin. Autumn weather means lower humidity. In Ontario, we often have to turn on our furnace by late October. These drier conditions can dehydrate your skin. Drier skin can feel uncomfortable, rough, and itchy. And dehydrated skin is more likely to show fine lines and wrinkles. The wind blows stronger and colder causing dryness and chafing. Cooler weather makes your skin more prone to dryness and dehydration. The bottom line? Our skin has to adapt to this shift in our weather, so our skincare routine has to change too.
- Don’t forget your SPF!
Yes, continue to use your sunscreen. UV radiation is present in all four seasons. In Ontario we receive mainly UVA rays in the cooler months. UVA is able to penetrate window glass, and is responsible for aging skin and increases the risk of skin cancer. I recommend an SPF 30 or greater, every morning, 365 days per year. Look for the words “UVA & UVB” or “Broad spectrum” on the label. - Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Consider changing from a lotion to a cream, or add a hydrating serum under your moisturizer. - Change your cleanser
You may find your clarifying summer cleanser is too drying this time of year. Consider a gentler cleanser, which leaves your skin feeling moisturized and nourished. You may not require a toner in the drier months. - Add an Eye Cream
If you are not using one already, an eye cream is a must in the cooler months. The delicate thin skin around your eyes is often the first area to show fine lines and crinkles. Eye creams are designed to compliment this sensitive area. - Use a Lip Moisturizer
Fight the effects of cold, blustery weather with a lip balm to prevent chapping. You can’t go wrong with simple Vasoline petroleum Jelly. - Exfoliate less often
Exfoliating several times a week may be great in the summertime, but in the drier months too much. Consider exfoliating once a week only, and use a gentle product.
- Invest in a humidifier
Turn it on as soon as you put the furnace on for best results. This will boost the hydration inside your home (and now your office if you’re working from home) and help maintain a moisture balance with your skin. - Avoid extremely hot water
Use warm water to wash, and cooler water to rinse. - Pat your skin dry
Don’t rub: you want to prevent excessive exfoliation. Apply your moisturizer to damp skin. This is often called the sandwich technique: water is the filling, and your skin and moisturizer are the slices of bread.
- Add a Vitamin C serum to your skin regimen
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which helps to protect your skin from free radical environmental damage. Vitamin C helps to even skin pigmentation (think brown spots and uneven skin tone) from summertime sun exposure. It also boosts collagen production, helping fight fine lines and wrinkles. - Re-evaluate your anti-aging products
Retinoids and chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids may need to be used less frequently with the drier, colder weather.
How to Fix Your Summer Skin Damage
Fall is the perfect time to renew and repair the skin from the ravages of summer sun and heat.
1. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photorejuvenation is a great way to improve the color, tone and texture of your skin. This non-invasive light therapy improves sun-damaged and aging skin. Brown and red discoloration, fine lines and pore size are targeted with a series of 4-5 treatments. You must not be tanned when you receive IPL, so the fall is a perfect time of year to start this treatment. And don’t forget the sun damage on your chest and hands can be treated with IPL also.
- Microdermabrasion is a quick fix for clogged pores, unwanted brown spots, and sun damage. Microdermabrasion gently exfoliates the outer layer of your skin, leaving it refreshed and polished. This treatment is safe for tanned skin, and all skin colors.
- Venus Viva is my recommendation for resurfacing the skin, and is suitable for all skin types and colors because it is not a laser. Venus Viva combines fractionated radiofrequency with micro-needling to stimulate collagen. Fine lines, some scars and pigmentation problems are improved with a series of 3 monthly treatments.
Small tweaks can make a major difference in how your skin looks and feels. It is important to keep in mind that everyone’s skin is different. We can help you create a treatment and damage prevention plan.
We know skin! And we can’t wait to help you achieve your goals.
Let us help customize a skincare program tailored to your needs.
Call today 905-820-7546 (SKIN)
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