Five basic skin care blunders to avoid in autumn
Every year many people fall into the same trap of failing to change their beauty regime with the seasons. Prudence Wade learns how to avoid making mistakes that’ll leave you dried out and sore
AS THE weather gets cooler we swap summer clothes for cosy jumpers but many of us forget to switch up our skincare routines.
Consultant dermatologist Dr Sreedhar Krishna, of skindoc.co.uk, says that’s a basic mistake when the colder weather and its side effects act differently upon the body.
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,” said Dr Krishna.
If you want to keep your skin healthy throughout autumn and winter, try to avoid these mistakes.
1 Not wearing sunscreen every day
While it might not be as obvious when the days are darker and the sun looks weaker, it’s just as crucial to finish 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,” explained Dr Krishna.
“Sun protection is important every day, not just on sunny days.”
Try REN Clean Screen Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, £32, Oliver Bonas.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid, £15.30, Escentual.
2 Using the same lightweight moisturiser as you did in summer
That light, barely there moisturiser won’t quite cut it.
Dr Krishna said: “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.”
Try Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Day Face Cream Rich Feel, £34.99, Boots. Cannuka Harmonizing Face
Cream, £49.
3 Sticking to a light cleanser
Dr Krishna suggests a light foaming cleanser could make your skin “more vulnerable to the elements” in autumn, so recommends “swapping that foam cleanser for a hydrating cleanser”.
He means one that “locks moisture into the skin, rather than 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”).
Try CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £9.50, Boots.
Loum Be Calm Cleansing Balm, £32, Cult Beauty.
4 Taking scalding hot showers
When the weather’s cold and miserable, nothing is better than sinking into a steaming bath or having a long, hot shower. But Dr Krishna said: “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 added, “I’d recommend ensuring you moisturise liberally as soon as you dry off” to avoid the dreaded winter dry skin.
5 forgetting to exfoliate
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.
Dr Toni Phillips, of DestinationSkin, said: “If the natural cycle of skin exfoliation is not optimal, layers of dead skin cells remain on the surface and can build up.” Try Q+A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel, £8.50. UpCircle Face Scrub Herbal Blend, £13, Sainsbury’s.