What do you love about FALL? Is it the colours of the leaves? Sipping on pumpkin spice lattes? Curling up with a good book and a warm blanket?  I love all these things, but I also love the feel of a rich nourishing cream on my skin.  As temperatures start to drop and the colours of the leaves start to change, this is a great time start thinking about skincare products for fall. 

The changes in temperature both indoors and outdoors can make your skin feel dry, tight, flaky and itchy. It can also make products that you're already using stop working.  There's nothing wrong with your old products. They just don't live up to what your skin needs at this time of year if you live in the Northern Hemisphere.

The changes to your skincare regimen don’t have to be big.  Some small changes that will work for you and your skin is all it takes. Here are some tips to get your skincare ready for the cooler months ahead.

1) A creamier cleanser

 I used to love my gel cleanser because it gave me a squeaky-clean face.  That was when I didn’t know that it stripped my skin of more than just my makeup.  If you’re 30 and up, you should switch to a richer hydrating cleanser (permanently) made with beneficial anti-aging ingredients and antioxidants to prevent the skin from damage by free radicals.  Here are my recommendations:

Helena Lane’s Chamomile and Mandarin cleanser is an oil cleanser made with jojoba oil which has anti-inflammatory properties to keep skin cool and comfortable and anti-oxidant properties which naturally slow down the signs of aging.  I'm on the second jar of this cleanser because I absolutely love it! If you've decided oil cleansing is not for you, I hope you’ve given it a try first!

If you prefer something that rinses off, Graydon's Aloe Milk Cleanser which is perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive, dry, or combination skin. It's enriched with niacinamide, vitamins E and K, and omega 6 rich apricot kernel oil. Not completely unscented, but not floral either, this cleanser has delicate notes of pink grapefruit and blood orange. 

Cocoon Apothecary Petal Purity Cream Cleanser is an affordable 100% vegan and organic option. It has a light floral smell from lavender and geranium essential oils. It cleanses beautifully without drying out your skin. 

2) A richer moisturizer

Although a heavy face cream is the last thing you want to think about during the summer, a richer moisturizer is an essential item to add to your cooler weather skincare. Your skin goes through numerous temperature changes as you go from the cooler outdoors to the heated indoors. 

A great choice for a day time moisturizer should be one with sunscreen because the sun rays are still strong even in winter.  If you're someone who spends time at the park with kids or takes long walks with a furry friend, you must still apply sunscreen in the winter.  Here are my recommendations with and without SPF:

Helena Lane’s Sun Cream is a blend of natural moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil and avocado oil with the protection of non-nano zinc oxide.  The protection it offers is comparable to SPF 30 making it a great choice for a daily moisturizer.  For night, I would recommend one of Helena Lane's rich moisturizers. 

The Shea & Starflower Calming moisturizer is perfect for anyone looking for a moisturizer that's packed with nourishment.   This moisturizer is crafted from 100% organic ingredients, and the fatty acids in the shea butter, argan, starflower and seabuckthorn oils are essential for healthy, glowing skin.

If you prefer rich but not completely oil based, then I recommend Graydon's Berry Rich Moisturizer. This moisturizer is creamy with a velvety feel. Enriched with vegan probiotics and blue-green algae, it reinforces your skin barrier and gives a boost of minerals and amino acids. 

These shifts don’t just affect your skin—they can impact your hair too. Wind, dry air, and sudden temperature changes often leave strands looking dull or flat. While some manage this with leave-in treatments or protective braids, others explore options like glossy straight hair extensions for a smooth, styled look without relying on daily flat ironing. Compared to heat tools or chemical straightening, extensions can be a gentler way to maintain sleekness and reduce damage during colder months.

3) A Serum

Learn to listen to your skin and give it a little more when it asks for it.  This is where serums come in.  There are two different kinds: oil-based serums and water-based serums. An oil serum adds nutrition and I love the dewy look it can give the skin.  You can add it under your makeup and get that beautiful glass-skin look.  A water-based serum adds hydration, but also a little something extra: it firms, lightens, tightens, etc.  Here are my recommendations for these cooler weather skincare essentials.

Oil-based serum

Helena Lane's Argan and Frankincense oil serum is the bomb.  I’ve blogged about this oil before, but I just can’t help myself.  It feels beautiful on.  When I wake up in the morning, I can tell I had it on the night before.  There’s just something about it I can’t explain. I look more toned and refreshed. Frankincense and neroli essential oils encourage cell regeneration, reduce inflammation, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars! I love the smell and it does wonders on fading sun spots. Perfect for anyone looking for rejuvenating and firming results!

If you're looking for an oil serum to calm inflamed skin and brighten the complexion, Helena Lane's Seabuckthorn and Geranium oil with Vitamin C packs a powerful punch when it comes to ingredients. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is an incredibly gentle form of Vitamin C. This skin transforming nutrient offers antioxidants, stimulates collagen production, repairs UV damage, and targets hyper-pigmentation all while brightening the skin!

Water-based serum

Graydon Skincare's Super Moon serum adds that extra hydration your skin craves.  Graydon Skincare Super Moon serum contains botanical retinol from dew bean extract and bakuchi, and collagen from mahogany bark extract.  Three drops are all that's needed - one on the forehead and one on each cheek. This serums is so lightweight, your skin will drink it up instantly. It's also the perfect makeup primer!

Do I need a disclaimer for this one? Sure.  I'm not a dermatologist.  My recommendations are based on research and testing of products on myself and my clients.  My knowledge and passion for skincare and makeup comes from 20 years of experience working with products in makeup school, spa manager and in retail.

Message me if you have any questions about the article or about how you should be winterizing your skin. Don't forget that if you need advice on switching over your products without the overwhelm, I offer virtual consultations. Book yours or jump on a 15 minute call with me, and let's chat about how we can work together to get your skin to feel amazing.

xox

Maria