As we head firmly into autumn and the weather gets cooler, many of us will be putting away our summer clothes and getting out our snuggliest jumpers, boots and scarves.

These kinds of shifts are second nature, but how many of use forget to switch up our skincare routines to suit the new season?

ADVERTISEMENT

Consultant dermatologist at skindoc Dr Sreedhar Krishna says: “Put simply, the main role of our skin is to keep the good stuff inside and the bad stuff outside – think of solid windows on a wintry night. However, our skin needs some help to get this done.”

He sees many of the same mistakes being made during this time of year. “At best, they are innocently harmless, but at worst could actually open your skin up to irritation and damage,”

5 common skincare mistakes for

If you’re looking to keep your skin healthy throughout autumn and into winter, try to avoid these mistakes…

1. Not wearing sunscreen every day

It’s easy to remember to slather on sunscreen during summer when you want to protect your skin from sun damage. While it might not be as obvious when the days are darker and the sun looks weaker, it’s just as crucial to finish off your morning routine with SPF.

“There is less ambient sunlight in these months than at the peak of summer, but winter months can have intense UVB radiation,” explains Krishna. “Sun protection is important every day, not just on sunny days.”

Our recommendation: REN Clean Screen Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

REN Clean Screen Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
(PA)

No products found.

Our recommendation: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid
(PA)

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Keep using the same lightweight moisturiser as you did in the summer

The light, barely-there moisturiser you loved during summer won’t quite cut it when the weather gets cooler.

Krishna says: “Colder air and bitter winds can join forces to strip your skin of moisture and essential oils. You can protect yourself by switching to more nourishing, richer moisturisers.”

Our recommendation: Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Day Face Cream Rich Feel

Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Day Face Cream Rich Feel
(PA)

No products found.

Our recommendation: Cannuka Harmonizing Face Cream, £49

Cannuka Harmonizing Face Cream
(Cannuka/PA)

No products found.

3. Sticking to a light cleanser

When the weather’s warm, a light foaming cleanser will often do the trick. However, Krishna suggests this could make your skin “more vulnerable to the elements” in autumn, so he recommends “swapping that foaming cleanser for a hydrating cleanser” for a bit more protection.

By a hydrating cleanser, Krishna means one that “locks moisture into the skin, rather than solely focusing on cleansing the skin surface of ‘crud’ acquired during the day”. He recommends looking for face washes including ceramides (they act “as a barrier to lock in moisture”) and hyaluronic acid (“a naturally occurring substance which attracts moisture into skin cells, leading to skin feeling plump and hydrated”).

Our recommendation: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
(CeraVe /PA)

No products found.

Our recommendation: The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Taking scalding hot showers

Black And White Shower GIF by The Good Films - Find & Share on GIPHY

When the weather’s cold and miserable, nothing is better than sinking into a steaming bath or having a long, hot shower. However, Krishna says: “Repeated exposure to hot water will strip your skin of valuable moisture” – and this applies to skin all over your body, not just your face.

If you do want to have a hot shower, Krishna adds, “I’d recommend ensuring you moisturise liberally as soon as you dry off” to avoid the dreaded winter dry skin.

Dr Toni Phillips, clinical director at DestinationSkin (destinationskin.com), says: “Showers should be as lukewarm or cold as you can handle. You will see an improvement in the glow of all your skin if the water temperature is low or cool.”

5. Forgetting to exfoliate

Common autumn skincare mistakes exfoliation

Remembering to exfoliate during summer is easy, particularly as you want to slough off all the sunscreen and sweat your skin has accumulated over the day.

It’s not quite as intuitive in winter when all you really want to do is slather on thick moisturisers to keep yourself hydrated. However, Phillips says: “If the natural cycle of skin exfoliation is not optimal, layers of dead skin cells remain on the surface and can build up.” This can “congest the skin”, potentially leading to breakouts. “The skin can also look dull, with an uneven texture and in more mature people, the lines and wrinkles will appear deeper,” she adds.

For Krishna, exfoliation becomes “even more” important in winter, because we’re likely to have a drier complexion – and you want moisturiser to absorb into your face, “rather than sitting on dry flakes of skin”. First, he recommends washing your face with a hydrating cleanser. “Then gently pat the skin dry,” he says, “massage the exfoliating scrub into the skin in purposeful small circles with your fingers and rinse away. Don’t forget to moisturise straight after.”

Our recommendation: Q+A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel

Q+A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel

Q+A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel, naturally occurring Malic and Lactic Acid alongside Apple Fruit...
  • Q+A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel
  • Naturally occurring Malic and Lactic Acid alongside Apple Fruit Extracts and Glycolic Acid for smoother, brighter skin
  • Gentle and won’t strip your skin of moisture, as it protects and strengthens your skin whilst it works

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Our recommendation: UpCircle Face Scrub Herbal Blend

UpCircle Face Scrub Herbal Blend
(PA)
Sale
UpCircle Coffee Face Scrub - Herbal Blend For Oily, Combination + Spot Prone Skin 100ml - Tea Tree,...
  • ORGANIC FACE SCRUB FORMULATED FOR OILY AND COMBINATION SKIN TYPES: Gentle face exfoliator formulated for oily, combination skin with clarifying tea tree essential oil
  • FOR SOFT, SMOOTH, CLEANSED SKIN: This face scrub gently buffs away dry, dead cells to leave you feeling cleansed, smooth and glowy
  • ACNE AND BREAKOUT SKINCARE TREATMENT: This face scrub helps to calm redness, acne and inflammation, whilst nourishing and protecting the skin with a hydrating blend of moisturising oils

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best-selling light therapy face masks

Check out our list of best-selling light therapy face masks on Amazon.

Bestseller No. 1
Light Therapy Face Mask-HIME SAMA Pro 7 Color Led Face Mask Skin care Rejuvenation Face & Neck Mask...
  • ✿HIGH-END DESIGN: Designed with a combination of cutting-edge technologies, this revolutionary device leaves you with an instantly nourished, healthy glow from the very first use. Full-spectrum LED...
  • ✿FITS TO YOUR FACE: Unlike many other wearable LED devices, HIME SAMA Light Therapy Mask designed with the most suitable material for your face and neck - meaning the light can penetrate every area...
  • ✿7 COLOR BEAUTY FUNCTIONS: The mask has 192 LED lights with 5 levels of 7 colors light to choose from: ♩Red Light- Improve Rough Pores, Beauty Skin.♩Blue Light- Calms and Tightens Skin♩Green...
Bestseller No. 2
Hangsun Light Therapy Acne Treatment LED Mask FT350 Facial Therapy Unlimited Sessions for Acne Face...
  • Features Proved Light Therapy Technology - Individually 3 lights(bule/red/orange). Blue and red light reducing the existing inflamed breakouts and targeting spots before they appear, blue light...
  • Unlimited Light Treatment Sessions - No activators needed, powered by USB port or portable battery power bank, you can use it as many treatments as you needed, no more extra costs.
  • Free of Chemicals and UV Light - This face mask harnesses the power of proven technology to clear acne and allow the skin to heal itself.
Bestseller No. 3
Led Face Mask Light Therapy - Facial Skin Care Product - 7 Colors Korean Skin Tightening Machine -...
  • Take your Skincare to the Next Level: Nourished is introducing a Game-Changing Beauty Device. Crafted from flexible silicone, this LED Face Mask Light Therapy will revolutionize your skincare...
  • Unlock your Skin Secrets with LED Light: Red light therapy for face rejuvenates, stimulates collagen production & increases blood circulation. Green targets dark spots, undereye circles & has a...
  • Get a Dermatologist-Grade Facial at Home: Treat your entire face, neck & décolleté with this affordable skincare device as you would in an esthetician's cabinet. LED Light Therapy has been shown to...
SaleBestseller No. 4
Led face mask Light Therapy - Dermawave 7 Colors Light Therapy Mask with 10 Pcs Serum Pack & Ebook -...
  • 🌟 SPA-LIKE LED LIGHT THERAPY AT HOME - Enjoy the professional 7 Colors of LED Light SPA treatment in the comfort of your home with the Premium Dermawave Photon Mask. Get celebrity-like radiant skin...
  • 🌟 All IN 1 360° SKIN REJUVENATION TREATMENT - Each color targets different skin concerns. Red light helps promote collagen. Blue helps reduces inflammation. Green light brightens skin. Yellow...
  • 🌟 EFFECTIVE & SAFE LED MASK - This is a non-invasive treatment with no side effects. Does not heat up & is suitable for all skin types. Dermawave is CE - cleared for safety & efficacy. Have 192...
Bestseller No. 5
Light Therapy LED Face Mask,【Upgrade】longziming LED Photon Therapy 7 Color Light Treatment - No...
  • 【Touch button】The button on the forehead replaces the traditional remote control,which makes it more convenient to operate.You can walk around without needing to carry the remote control with...
  • 【7 Color Led Mask】Red light:anti-wrinkle, repairs damaged skin.Blue light:minimize and cure acne, repair damaged skin.White Light:Accelerate Tissue Metabolism.Green light:stress relief and...
  • 【Safe and Latest Light Technology】Free of Chemicals and UV Light.Safe,Comfortable,and Simple to use.Up to 108leds which can completely wrap your entire face,upgraded to emit the most optimal...

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You may be interested in…

This article may include affiliate links to products and services where we may receive a small fee to support the running of this site if you make a purchase or is a sponsored article from one of our select editorial partners providing valuable advice and information to our readers.

ADVERTISEMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.