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Everyday Health
How Your Skin-Care Routine Should Change for Fall
By By Jessica Migala. Medically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MD,
1 day ago
Every skin type would be smart to slather on sunscreen year-round. Getty Images; Shutterstock
Once the air starts to get cooler you may notice changes to your skin. This could be due to the drop in humidity as we transition from summer to fall.
"For this reason, we see more eczema and skin irritation in the fall and winter than any other time of year," says S. Tyler Hollmig, MD , director of dermatologic surgery at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.
What's more, this lack of humidity means that people who found they could skip moisturizer in the summer suddenly need to start using one now - or step up to a heavier one, says Rebecca Baxt, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in Paramus, New Jersey. That's why for fall, the biggest adjustment will likely be to your moisturizing routine, no matter your skin type.
Depending on if you're oily, dry, or somewhere in between, you'll be looking for a lotion (made with a large water content, making it a lightweight hydrator), cream (the next step), or an ointment (the strongest option), she says.
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Since fall is a season of new beginnings, this may be a great time for a skin reset, says Dr. Baxt. "If you abused your skin this summer [in terms of sun exposure] or now have bad breakouts from constant sweat and sunscreen application, then peeling off that top layer of skin with a treatment like a chemical peel or laser resurfacing can help try to reverse the damage," she says.
Here's how to tweak your routine for fall, based on your skin type or goal:
For Oily Skin, Focus on Skin Care That Sops Up Sebum
There's a lot of good news with the switch of the seasons: "Fall can be a great time for patients with oilier skin. They are at a lower risk of a breakout than during spring and summer. It's almost like the environment is appropriately medicating their skin, which is a beautiful thing," says Dr. Hollmig. After washing with a gentle cleanser, he suggests applying a moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid, which acts as a humectant to attract water to skin, and can appropriately hydrate acne-prone complexions without prompting breakouts, according to an article published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology . Also, be on the lookout for words like noncomedogenic which means the product is unlikely to clog your pores and cause breakouts, according to Harvard Health Publishing. In addition, you might view fall as a time where you can finally break free of sunscreen, but you have to stay vigilant. "UV exposure can sneak up on you during the fall. Plus, don't forget that UVA rays penetrate window glass in cars and offices," says Hollmig. A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that, while the front windshield blocked 96 percent of UVA rays, the side window only blocked 71 percent (which, as researchers note, might play a role in the development of skin cancer and eye disease on one's left side). UVA rays are those that cause wrinkles and discoloration, notes the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Switching from a sunscreen or a sunscreen-moisturizer to a powder with SPF is a great choice here, as it offers protection without causing breakouts, and sops up excess oil. "The beauty of these products is that they can be typically applied right on top of makeup," he says, adding that he suggests patients carry one in their purse and then reapply at lunch.
If You Have Dry Skin, Find a Rich Ointment
"Dry skin can change from a nuisance to a disaster during the fall," says Hollmig. "As humidity levels drop, evaporation of water from the skin increases, and this can sneak up on people. Fall is ‘eczema season' for this reason; dry skin cannot protect itself from factors causing inflammation, resulting in dry, cracked, irritated skin," he says.
Still, there are several things you can do to preserve your skin's barrier in the autumn. Make sure you're not damaging the epidermis (top layer) with your existing skin-care routine. If you're still using a facial brush or scrub to cleanse skin, give them up now, says Hollmig. Switch to a thicker moisturizer. Look for ones that contain petrolatum (petroleum jelly), which is an "occlusive," meaning it forms a thin film on the skin to prevent water loss, according to a review published in April 2018 in Drugs in Context . An ointment is also the most heavy-duty hydrator you can find.
Consider setting up a humidifier, particularly as you start to turn on the heat in your home. Its real benefit is keeping mucous membranes - nose, mouth, eyes - moisturized, though a humidifier can make a small difference in skin, says Baxt. "Nothing takes the place of actually applying a good moisturizer on the skin," she says.
Finally, scan your anti-aging products and look for the following ingredients: alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and retinoids. These are ingredients that exfoliate the surface layers of skin, and therefore can be potentially irritating for dry skin types, says Hollmig.
How to Manage Combination Skin
Combination skin types often notice that they have an oily T-zone with drier cheeks. What seems like a complexion challenge is actually straightforward, says Baxt. Though your tendency may be to use a strong, medicated cleanser to control oiliness, instead, she recommends erring on the dry skin side and washing with a mild cleanser in cool water to avoid exacerbating parched areas and triggering irritation.
Next, "Simply treat the two areas [cheeks and T-zone] differently," she says. For combination skin, you'll need to reach for two levels of moisturizer. Now that drier fall weather is here, your T-zone might be far less oily than it was in the summer, and you may be more willing to moisturize. In the T-zone area, apply a lightweight moisturizer (these are lotion-based, not creams) labeled noncomedogenic, or none at all, says Baxt.
On the cheeks, step up to a slightly stronger moisturizer. Look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, a natural component of skin that is capable of drawing in and holding moisture. Clinical research on products that contain hyaluronic acid show that these can instantly increase skin hydration significantly, as well as improve texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles when used over six weeks, per a study published in June 2021 in Dermatology & Therapy .
If You Have Signs of Aging, Bring Back Retinoids
Retinoids and retinols, vitamin A derivatives, have been the gold-standard in preventing fine lines and wrinkles because, as Harvard Medical School points out, they stimulate collagen production, the most commonly present protein in the skin that helps maintain its smooth texture, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Here's the rub: Retinoids exfoliate the top layer of skin, and are known to increase sun sensitivity, says Baxt. "Many women choose to avoid using retinoids in the summer because of this sensitivity and then go right back to using them after Labor Day" she says. This is a good opportunity to bring back a retinoid in your nightly routine as long as your skin type allows (meaning: You don't have exceptionally dry, eczema-prone skin).
Last, continue to use sunscreen. This is true for everyone, but especially if you're using retinoids or retinols again and are looking to prevent skin damage that leads to lines, wrinkles, and discolorations. "So many people think that once fall starts, they don't need an SPF anymore, but the sun is still out and you still get a fair amount of incidental exposure when you're walking into work or out to lunch," says Baxt. A moisturizer with built-in sunscreen is the way to make life easy, she says.
The Takeaway
As the season changes from summer to autumn, transitioning your skin-care routine can help keep your skin healthy and pimple-free. For dry skin, lotions with ingredients that lock in moisture can make a difference, and for those with oily skin, try a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which can hydrate without triggering breakouts. You can also consult your healthcare provider, who can offer specific recommendations. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Ross Radusky, MD, is a practicing board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Treatment and Research Center in Dallas. Originally from New York City, he graduated summa cum laude from the City University of New York and then received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine. There, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and served as chapter president for two years. He completed his residency in dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center, and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Dr. Radusky practices general and cosmetic dermatology with a focus on the early detection of skin cancer, and provides patients with a personalized approach to looking their best at any age. He has authored articles and textbook chapters on the clues that our finger- and toenails may provide us about internal disease, as well as on comprehensive therapies for cosmetic dermatology and reversing the signs of skin aging.
Complementing his medical practice, Radusky has a strong passion for the cultural arts, particularly in expanding access to youths and seniors. He previously served as an artist instructor for the Rockaway Artists Alliance, a New York City nonprofit arts and education organization, and then served as both a board director and treasurer of the organization throughout his medical school training.
Radusky enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Robyn, son Oliver, and poodle Lucy, where he can usually be found preventing photoaging and reducing the risk of skin cancer beneath an umbrella in a wide-brimmed hat. He is also the proud inventor of Sunshotz, the world's only sunscreen measuring cup, designed to help patients of all ages apply the proper amount of sunscreen needed to enjoy all the sun without the burn.
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine , Real Simple, Woman's Day , Women's Health , Fitness, Family Circl e, Health , Prevention , Self , VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).
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