10 Ways to Transition Your Face from Summer to Fall

As summer turns into fall, it’s time to start switching up your skin care routine. We’re not suggesting any drastic changes, but with different seasons come different priorities and concerns. In the summer we’re mostly concerned with shine control and sun protection, but as the weather cools down and summer comes to an end skin starts needing more moisture and we also have to factor in dealing with any summer skin damage from too much time spent at the beach or in the pool. Start a new season with healthy, glowing skin with our tips on taking your face from summer to fall.

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Switch to a creamier cleanser

Since cooler days mean drier skin, consider trading your foaming or gel cleanser for something with a creamier texture. Hydrating cleansers won’t strip the skin of much-needed moisture and something gentle will be better suited to skin that is extra-delicate thanks to sweat, sun and salt water. If you have skin that tends to be more on the oily side, you can use a gel-based cleanser in the morning and then a creamier one at night.

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Add a day cream

If you dropped day cream from your summer skin care routine it may be time to reintroduce it. Going from humid weather to colder temperatures can be drying on the skin and dry skin is fragile. Give your face some extra TLC in the fall with some added morning moisture. Look for something that’s light yet hydrating and that has an SPF.

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Try an at-home chemical peel

It’s hard to end the summer without at least some sun damage in the form of freckles, age spots or discolouration. A gentle at-home chemical peel can help minimize some of that damage and get your face ready for fall. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($37) can be used daily and for a more intensive yet non-irritating peel you can try Caudalie Glycolic Peel ($39). Both work to brighten, tighten and improve skin tone and texture.

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Exfoliate

After months of sweat and sunscreen, pores have the tendency to be clogged, which leads to dull skin. Get fresh faced in time for fall by remembering to exfoliate, which will slough away dead skin and unclog pores. But do so gently so you don’t irritate the skin. A natural sea sponge and some gentle facial cleanser should do the trick without causing irritation.

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Consider a serum

A lot of us need a hydration boost come fall, which is where serum comes in especially since they can deliver their active ingredients into the skin more efficiently than other products. Smooth on a hydrating serum under your regular moisturizer to really quench dry skin.

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Avoid alcohol-based toners

You may have been using an alcohol-based toner in the summer to keep oil in check, but for fall and winter put it away. These toners dehydrate skin which is the last thing you want when temperatures start to dip and air gets dry. Use something gentle to keep skin hydrated and refreshed. We’ve been loving Parlour Apothecary’s Hydrating Neroli Floral Toner ($18) which can be used throughout the day to add a quick burst of moisture to dehydrated skin.

A woman with her hair in a white towel lying down receiving a facial.

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Relax

It sounds obvious but relaxation is just as important for your skin as the best skincare out there. Easier said than done, we know, but booking in a prenatal massage or facial can do wonders for your stress levels, therefore helping keep your complexion looking clear and healthy.

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Or a skin analysis

If you don’t have time for a facial you can book a skin analysis with an aesthetician to find out what kind of post-summer damage you’re dealing with, and what your skin needs most for the upcoming season.

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Don’t forget about your lips

A light coat of gloss or light lip balm might have been all you needed in the summer but lips also get dry in colder weather. Keep lips flake-free with a lip scrub and keep a medicated lip saver on hand like Blistex to nip dryness in the bud.

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Try a facial oil

Like a serum, a facial oil can be used in conjunction with other skin care products. Facial oil can be used on all skin types (yes, even oily) and can lock in moisture, something we all need when it gets colder. Look for oils that are organic and unrefined so you’re not getting fillers or potential irritants.