Crisp mornings, leaves changing colour, winter woollies coming out of the wardrobe and a comforting mug of hot chocolate, there’s plenty to enjoy about autumn. At this time of year, the changing weather and temperature means your skin will go through changes too, so here’s how to adjust your skincare routine ready for the new season.
How autumn affects our skin
Skin is a big fan of stability, which is why as the seasons change and the weather heats up or in this case cools down, its barrier is affected. This means it has to work harder to battle the cold and wind, and becomes more susceptible to irritations.
As your skin becomes more sensitive, it will start to feel drier and duller. This can cause visible irritations, such as blotchiness and cracks on skin across your whole body. There is a risk these cracks could allow bacteria to enter your body and cause infections.
However, it’s easy to keep the effects of the autumnal weather at bay.
Select products that treat the skin sensitively
With your skin feeling drier than usual, you may think the best option is to smother it in a thick, chemically laden product, but your skin will also be more delicate, so choose a moisturiser that is soft, gentle and designed to be sensitive on skin.
Take a good look at the ingredients and leave any products on the shelf if they include:
• Alcohols such as ethanol, methanol and isopropyl.
• Artificial fragrances – yes, it’s nice if your moisturiser smells pleasant, but the chemicals which create these scents can make dry and sensitive skin more prone to irritation.
• Parabens such as butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben which are preservatives to increase the life of skincare products.
Look for moisturisers and cleansers which contain natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, which is anti-inflammatory and soothes the skin, and is the main ingredient in our range.
Keep the skin hydrated
If you’re someone who moisturises once a day, now’s the time to double that! Start cleansing and moisturising morning and night to keep the skin hydrated and stop it becoming dry and dull. Many think this only means treating the skin on your face as this is generally always exposed to the elements, but your entire body should be treated.
Don’t forget the sunscreen
The sun doesn’t just cause damage to our skin during the warmer months. UV rays will still cause harm during cold, crisp and sunny autumn and winter days, so continue to use a sunscreen. Alternatively choose a moisturiser which has SPF included as this will keep your skin protected and hydrated.
The full Eternal Skincare range can be purchased from our online shop. Our Super Hydrating Moisturiser comes in a handy 100ml size, which is perfect for popping into a handbag allowing you to continue to moisturise when you are out enjoying a fresh autumnal day.
