For the past few weeks, I've been tinkering with my skincare routine, adding in new products, bring old favourites from last year back in and generally shaking things up in preparation for the colder weather to ahead.
Much like a change of wardrobe with each new season, I believe in doing the same with skincare. While I'm layering up with fine knits I will also be layering up with hydration and aiming to maintain radiant skin well into winter. So today I thought I'd ask the question - How do you change your skincare routine for autumn? Plus sharing what I've been changing up and why.
Upping Exfoliation with Lactic Acid
One of my main aims for autumn skin is keeping it looking radiant and my favourite way to do that it to exfoliate dead skin cells away. My most used ingredient for this that suits my skin well and is effective yet mild is Lactic Acid; a popular alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which can help prevent breakouts and the appearance of wrinkles while also exfoliating the skin. However this does leave the skin exposed so a daily SPF is a must, my go-to being The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Essense SPF 50, which is the most lightweight sunscreen I've come across and a lovely base for makeup.
However back to exfoliating and one product I've started going back to, around twice a week for instant results is Pixi Peel & Polish . Described as a skin-polishing peel that gently exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, more refined complexion the peel and polish formula combats dullness and restores brightness. What I specifically like about this scrub is that not only is it a physical scrub but it also contains the above mentioned lactic acid making it a double whamming for the skin. It also can be massaged over dry skin, applied and left as a sort of chemical peel mask or a combination of the two if your skin can handle it. If you like a good scrub but you also want to incorporate an AHA in then this is the product for you!
Another exfoliating product that I've been consistently using for the past few months and will continue to do so is The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%. This £6 lightweight serum is simply applied at night for gentle get impressive exfoliation that reveals a much smoother, brighter skin texture on waking. This is certainly one of my most favourite products from The Ordinary and is my go-to way of exfoliating now. I personally think this is a great skin treatment for autumn/winter as with weekly use it promotes a much brighter complexion that isn't at risk for broken veins or inflammation that can go with using a physical scrub. For more sensitive skin types you can also find The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% HERE.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration with Hyaluronic Acid
Come colder weather I feel all skin types can benefit from a good dose of hydration. My skin type is oily however it's dehydrated so I up my own hydration by quite a bit. The key ingredient for this is Hyaluronic Acid which may seem scary as it has the term 'acid' in the name but it's actually found naturally in the body and can be applied topically or even injected professionally. The reason for many people's love for the ingredient is that Hyaluronic acid has the greatest ability to retain moisture out of just about anything: close to 1000 times its weight in water! With HA lightweight serums and moisturisers penetrating the skin's surface to temporarily plump the skin and moisturiser the top layer of skin this is a must-try skincare ingredient.
My first step when adding hyaluronic acid into my skincare routine is with Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum which is perfect for all skin types even those with sensitive skin, adding deep hydration and a soothing effect without any residue. Enriched with hyaluronic acid this serum plumps the skin and feels almost like a drink. Perfect as your first product in your morning skincare on autumn/winter skin. A really impressive serum for the price!
Staying with a similar type of product I absolutely love Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, again containing hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin in seconds, leaving it feeling happy and looking plumped and refreshed. This silky gel applies like no other moisturiser I've used in the past, gliding over the skin, sinking in within seconds making it ideal for oily/combination skin types in particular. However what I love most about this product and why I will be continuing with such a light feeling moisturiser through to winter is that it makes for a perfect base for facial oils and skin booster to be mixed with (something you can see me talk about further down in this post) never separating or requiring much mixing at all. You can currently find this incredible hydrating moisturiser half price for only £6.49 here.
Lastly, for serious hydration especially for my PM skincare routine, I will be opting for NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex which as the name suggests is much more complex, in fact, it contains twelve different forms of hyaluronic acid that work at different rates and levels. This clever serum-like treatment may be small in size but requires only a few drops to deeply hydrate the face again without leaving any oils/weight on the skin that can result in blocked pores etc. For anyone serious about hydrating or with ageing skin this truly is one of the best hyaluronic based skincare products on the market.
Add a Skin Booster or Facial Oil
If all the above hydration wasn't enough (not all at once, mind) the next thing I will be changing within my skincare routine is my moisturiser - not switching to a heavier cream but what I like to call supercharging it! As I mentioned above the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is one of the best base products for adding in other treatments and potions, blending with all oils and skin booster a dream. This means I can add in the moisture I need depending on the weather and my skin's needs per day - basically tailor-made skincare!
For lacklustre days I've recently started to add in 3 drops of Clarins Energy Booster to my above AM moisturiser. Although lightweight the complex peps up my complexion making it appear firmer and less tired. To increase the results I also mix 1-2 into my foundation which makes it not only apply soother but more radiant in finish. A simple and easy way to super boost your current moisturiser. Also available in Repair Booster and Detox Booster.
Another way to add a good dose of moisture especially pre-makeup is to add a few drops of facial oil into your moisturiser. This means you are getting the full benefits of the oils without leaving the skin greasy or at risk of breaking out. For days when I want to thoroughly moisturise and nourish my skin, I add a few drops of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Oil into my daily moisturiser and massage into the skin until its fully soaked into the skin. There is no denying that this is one expensive facial oil at £65 but with so little required to reap the skincare benefits you can expect the 15ml bottle to last 3 months. So far using this specific oil I've found it to aid hydration and moisture and give a glow like no other oil I've tried before. However, if you are on a budget or simply don't want to spend so much on a single product then I would recommend Superfacialist Rose Miracle Makeover Facial Oil which is not only double the size but only £14.99... in fact, it's currently reduced to only £9.99 HERE. Another good oil to mix with your daily moisturiser to meet the needs of your skin as the weather changes.
Hydrating Toners & Mists
Daily hydration and moisture covered you are probably wondering how my skin would be able to handle more hydration with various mists and toners - especially as I have an oily/combination skin type. But fear not, the below-mentioned gel toner and milky mist are to be used after any charcoal based face masks as although they are good for drawing out impurities in the skin and de-clogging pores the drying effect of these masks can be moisture-sapping. So a light application of a soothing toner on a cotton pad or a spritz of a hydrating mist can bring the skin back to feeling comfortable and in need of no other skincare unless I choose to apply a face mask before my evening skincare routine. This is something I would skip in summer but feel is vital in autumn/winter.
Described as a featherlight mist-on moisturiser Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist is a lightweight mist that offers a surge of hydration with hyaluronic acid and is the ultimate remedy for thirsty skin. With a non-skin drenching mist, the milky formula mists just the right amount of hydration over the skin after a drying face mask. Although I often find myself using this mid-afternoon even over makeup when my skin is feeling dehydrated from central heating as it offers a refreshing and comfortable boost to the skin. A really lovely lightweight moisture spray.
For deeper moisturisation, there is The Body Shop Petal-Soft Gel Toner which I recently compared to Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner HERE. Applied on a cotton pad this is swept over the face to remove makeup or skincare residue while soothing and plumping the skin. Beautifully refreshing and soothing to sweep over the skin this is a toner I'm thoroughly looking forward to using more often as the weather changes to add moisture back into my skin after deep exfoliation or use of a drying face mask. It also smells of fresh roses that leans more contemporary than the typical stuffy floral scent that is more suited to skincare for a much older demographic. A toner that really does pack some punch in the moisturising/hydration department.
Comfortable Skin Primers
Okay, enough of the hydration talk! Another thing I will be changing up is the types of primers I use, going from a pore-concealing silicone heavy base to one that is much more comfortable and silicone-free. Why? Because in the colder months it's much harder to achieve a flake-free base that looks glowing and radiant. Plus any primer that will keep my face comfortable and smooth is a winner for me.
First up I will be going back to my trusty Illamasqua Hydra Veil which my skin absolutely loved last autumn/winter. Not only does this primer feel more like skincare than anything else, it provides a dewy pore-diffused canvas to apply foundation onto. It also keeps makeup on the skin for longer while adding hydration to the skin, especially around the nose and other drier/flake-prone areas. I'm also not gonna' lie - I'm fascinated by the jelly-like texture that you can mix up/or scoop out and will always re-settle to a smooth layer in seconds.
Another primer meets skincare hybrid is REN Perfect Canvas which may be a premium treat for many but works beautifully on the skin. This light textured primer is described as a silicone-free serum which contains pro-biotics that smooth the skin and enhance the skin's structure by encouraging surface cell renewal, whilst the Agave extract helps leave skin with a matte finish - the perfect canvas upon which to apply makeup. Much like the above Illamasqua primer, this is a product that provides a good base for makeup while benefiting the skin, something you don't often see with makeup primers. Only a few drops of this is required for the entire face and instantly you can feel and see a smoother, softer complexion perfect for adding a touch of concealer to for light makeup days or your usual foundation.
Switching to Cleansing Oils
Lastly, I will be changing up how I remove my makeup, going from a cream or gel-based cleanser to richer cleansing oils. The reason for this is that cleansing oils offer deeper cleansing to remove all makeup, sunscreen and impurities without stripping natural oils from the skin or leaving it feeling oily. A cleansing oil is also a perfect first step in a double-cleansing routine, with a gel-based cleanser coming 2nd. Having tried all differentc skin cleanser formulas cleansing oils melt away makeup and leave my skin balanced making it an ideal choice for the colder months.
Hylamide High-Efficiency Face Cleanser (reduced to £13) is a cleansing oil I've been using on and off for the past 6+ months that as described I would say it's a skin-balancing face cleaner and makeup remover. Massaged over dry skin this almost water-like oil melts makeup off the skin and with a few splashes of warm water your skin will be perfectly cleansed. Simple yet effective and perfect if you don't want a cleanser to act like another skincare addition to your routine but as an effective makeup remover.
Another lightweight cleansing oil I've just started to use and already love is Time Bomb Peace & Quiet Coconut Cleansing Oil. With an uplifting yet delicate coconut scent, this very much reminds me of using a solid coconut oil melted between the fingertips to cleanse with. Staying more of an oil on the skin than the above Hylamide cleanser this cleanser allows for much more massaging of the skin to really melt away makeup and grime. Once wash off the skin is left perfectly clean and smooth, ready for a nighttime skincare routine to follow.
So let me know, how do you change your skincare routine for autumn?
Fee xo.
