Do you adapt your skincare routine when your skin becomes drier?
When summer turns into autumn, many people notice that their skin feels drier, tighter, or starts to itch. This is because both the temperature and humidity drop, while indoor air becomes drier when the heating is turned on. For the skin, this means that more moisture evaporates, which can weaken the skin barrier and make the skin more sensitive.
By adapting your skincare routine for autumn, you can help your skin retain its moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce the risk of dryness, irritation, and itching. Below, we go through what happens to the skin during autumn, which ingredients are best suited, and how to build a skincare routine that works when the weather gets colder.
Why does the skin become drier in autumn?
It is completely natural for the skin to change during autumn. When the temperature drops and the air contains less moisture, it becomes harder for the skin to maintain its natural moisture balance. At the same time, many people start spending more time indoors, where heating makes the air even drier.
Several factors contribute to the skin becoming drier during autumn:
- Colder temperatures.
- Lower humidity.
- Dry indoor air from radiators.
- Hot showers that can dissolve the skin’s natural protective barrier.
When the skin loses more moisture than it can retain, the skin barrier deteriorates. Then the skin may feel:
- Tight
- Dry
- Flaky
- Red
- More sensitive than usual
- More prone to itching
Why does the skin itch when it gets colder?
Itching during autumn is often due to the skin becoming dry and the skin barrier weakening. When the skin can no longer retain as much moisture, it becomes more susceptible to external stressors and the nerve endings in the skin react more easily.
That is why many people experience itching on their legs, arms, or face when autumn arrives, even though they have not made any changes to their skincare. If your skin itches, it is often better to focus on moisturizing and strengthening the skin barrier than simply choosing a richer face cream.
What is the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin in autumn?
Many people use dry skin and dehydrated skin as if they mean the same thing, but there is an important difference.
Dry skin is a skin type that produces less sebum than normal. It often needs more nourishment and emollient ingredients all year round.
Dehydrated skin is instead a condition in which the skin lacks water. It can affect all skin types, including oily and combination skin. During autumn, it is common for the skin to become dehydrated because it loses more moisture to the drier air.
This means that even people with oily skin may need more hydration during autumn than they did during summer.
How to adapt your skincare routine for autumn
When the skin starts to feel drier, it is rarely about replacing your entire skincare routine. Often, a few small changes are enough to give the skin better conditions during the colder months.
A good autumn routine focuses above all on strengthening the skin barrier, adding more moisture, and reducing anything that may irritate the skin.
Start by strengthening the skin barrier
The skin barrier is the skin’s outermost protection and helps retain moisture while protecting against external stressors. When it functions as it should, the skin feels soft, supple, and balanced.
During autumn, the skin barrier is exposed to greater stress than during summer. Therefore, it can be a good idea to choose products with ingredients that help the skin repair and strengthen its natural protection, for example ceramides, squalane, panthenol, and Centella Asiatica.
Cleansing
A face wash that worked well during summer may feel drying when the weather gets colder.
Choose a gentle cleanser that effectively removes dirt, makeup, and SPF without leaving the skin feeling tight afterward. If the skin feels dry immediately after cleansing, it may be a sign that the product is too strong for the season.
Hydration
During autumn, the skin often needs more hydration than before. Instead of only choosing a richer face cream, it can be a good idea to work in several layers.
Start with a hydrating serum or an essence that helps the skin bind water. Then finish with a face cream that helps lock in moisture and reduce moisture loss during the day.
This combination often gives better results than using only a richer cream.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and can give the skin more radiance, but during autumn it is important not to overdo it.
If the skin already feels dry or sensitive, too much exfoliation can cause the skin barrier to weaken even further. For most people, once or twice a week is enough, depending on skin type and the type of exfoliation used.
SPF
Many people stop using sunscreen when summer is over, but UV radiation remains present through much of autumn as well.
If you spend time outdoors during the day, it is therefore still wise to use SPF as the last step in your skincare routine. This is especially important if you use active ingredients such as retinol or acids.
The best ingredients in skincare for autumn
Ceramides
Ceramides are natural lipids that already exist in the skin’s protective barrier. When the skin becomes drier during autumn, the amount of ceramides may decrease, causing the skin to lose moisture more easily. Skincare products with ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss, making the skin feel softer and less tight over time.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is an effective moisture-binding ingredient that helps the skin attract and retain water. During autumn, when the air becomes drier, hyaluronic acid can help the skin feel more hydrated and supple. It suits most skin types and works well together with a hydrating face cream.
Glycerin
Glycerin is one of the most well-established humectants in skincare. During autumn, it helps the skin attract moisture and counteract the tight feeling that many people experience when humidity drops. Glycerin suits almost all skin types and is a common ingredient in both serums and face creams.
Panthenol
Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, helps the skin recover and can help reduce the feeling of irritation and dryness. If the skin has become more sensitive during autumn, panthenol is an ingredient that both moisturizes and strengthens the skin’s natural protection.
Centella Asiatica
Centella Asiatica is appreciated for its soothing properties. During autumn, it can help the skin feel less irritated while supporting the skin’s natural recovery. The ingredient is particularly suitable for sensitive skin or if the skin easily becomes red when the temperature drops.
Beta-glucan
Betaglukan is a moisturizing ingredient that helps the skin retain its moisture while also having a soothing effect. For many people, the skin feels both softer and more hydrated when beta-glucan is used regularly during the colder months.
Squalane
Squalane is an emollient ingredient that helps the skin reduce moisture loss without feeling heavy or sticky. It suits dry, sensitive, and oily skin alike and is a good choice when the skin needs a little extra support during autumn.
Is autumn a good time to start using retinol?
Yes, many people choose to start using retinol or retinal during autumn because the UV index is often lower than during summer.
Retinoids can make the skin more sensitive, which is why many people find them easier to introduce when the sun is not as strong. It is a good idea to start with a low strength a couple of evenings a week and gradually increase use if your skin feels good.
Remember to always use sunscreen when the skin is exposed to the sun, even during autumn.
Skincare for autumn for different skin types
Dry skin
If you have dry skin, autumn can make your skin feel even tighter. Focus on hydrating serums together with a richer face cream and ingredients such as ceramides, squalane, and panthenol.
Oily skin
Even oily skin can become dehydrated when humidity drops. Choose lightweight, hydrating products with, for example, glycerin or hyaluronic acid instead of skipping hydration.
Sensitive skin
If your skin easily becomes red or irritated during autumn, it may be a good idea to prioritize soothing ingredients such as Centella Asiatica and panthenol. At the same time, avoid exfoliating too often.
Combination skin
If you have combination skin, different parts of the face may need different amounts of hydration. For example, the cheeks may need a richer face cream while the T-zone often manages with lighter products.
Common mistakes during autumn
- Continuing to use the same lightweight products as during summer.
- Stopping use of SPF completely.
- Exfoliating too often when the skin already feels dry.
- Taking long, very hot showers.
- Waiting to moisturize until the skin already feels dry.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change my skincare routine in autumn?
Yes, many people need to make minor adjustments when the weather gets colder. The skin often loses more moisture during autumn, which means it may benefit from more hydration and products that strengthen the skin barrier.
Why does the skin become drier in autumn?
When the temperature and humidity drop, the skin loses more moisture. At the same time, dry indoor air and hot showers can contribute to weakening the skin barrier.
Why does the skin itch when it gets colder?
Itching is often due to the skin becoming dry and the skin barrier weakening. When the skin is moisturized and the skin barrier is strengthened, the discomfort usually decreases.
Which ingredients are best during autumn?
Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, Centella Asiatica, beta-glucan, and squalane are ingredients that help moisturize the skin, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce dryness.
Should you use SPF in autumn?
Yes. If the skin is exposed to the sun, SPF is still an important part of the skincare routine, even during autumn. This is especially true if you use retinol or exfoliating acids.
Can I start using retinol in autumn?
Yes. Many people choose to introduce retinol or retinal during autumn because the UV index is generally lower than during summer. Start slowly and always use sunscreen during sun exposure.
