Changing your skincare routine from summer to fall

As the weather changes, so does the needs of our skin. It is common during the fall and winter seasons for recurring skin conditions like eczema, dandruff, and for rashes to tend to flare up. To keep our skin healthy and radiant we put together some skincare tips to make your seasonal tweak simple. 

Why does my skin get so dry in the fall?  

When the weather gets colder and there is a dip in humidity, we tend to take hotter showers and have indoor heaters on blast, which can quickly dry out our skin and damage our skin barrier. When the skin barrier is damaged, our skin becomes more sensitized, our outer layer of the skin cracks, and there is a loss of hydration. All of this eventually causes inflammation in the skin.  

To prevent these negative seasonal effects on the skin, we would recommend going with a skincare routine that focuses on hydration boosting.  

Swapping Cleansers 

In the summer months, foaming cleanser or gels that help with oil control are a great option for dealing with the humidity and hot temps. But in the winter, these cleansers that are meant for oil control will double dry out our skin. These cleansers would be accelerating the loss of hydration of the skin.  

We’d recommend that during the fall months, go with a more gentle, creamy formulation like the Biore Face Cleansing Rich Moisture or the Sana Nameraka Rich Cleansing Moist Facial Wash. These are great options because their purpose to help give the skin a boost of moisture that our skin so desperately needs during the fall and winter months.  

Choosing the right lotion 

To keep it simple, keeping our skin hydrated in the cooler months is the number one rule for cold season skincare. That is why lotions are a godsend from Japanese skincare. Lotions are meant to deliver hydration to the skin and contains lots of great humectants and other hydrating ingredients. Product’s like the Hada Labo Premium Lotion, Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner or the Kikumasmune Japanese Sake Lotion are amazing options when it comes to hydration. 

Swapping Moisturizers 

During the hot summer months, a light emulsion may have been enough to keep skin moisturized. However, when temps drop, we must adjust accordingly.  

To build up a defense against dry skin, choose a rich, creamy moisturizer that is high in glycerin, ceramides, and humectants. We would recommend products like the Sekkisei Cream as a wonderful way to switch up your fall moisturizer.  

Let us talk about sunscreens 

In the winter months, UVB Rays might be less of an issue but UVA rays – the long wavelengths of sunlight that damages the skin’s dermis, are stronger than ever. What is even worst is that because of the cooler temps, it's even more difficult to feel UV rays on your skin which can lead to serious sun damage without even noticing. 

That is why during the cool months, it is STILL IMPORTANT to wear sunscreen. Look for sunscreens that have a PA++++ rating. PA++++ is how Japanese sunscreens rate the sunscreens protection against UVA rays.