After a sweltering summer, autumn can creep up on you — before you know it, the leaves are golden brown and the air feels cool and crisp. When it comes to skin care, a new season means a daily regimen reset. Of course, transitioning your day-to-day routine from summer to fall can be a daunting process of trial and error. To help you minimize those bumps in the road, here are the most common skincare mistakes to avoid in the fall and what you should do instead.
1. Neglecting to Moisturize
With autumn’s cool temperatures and dry air, your skin may especially feel dry, tight or irritated — all things that call for moisturizer! In fact, it’s a good idea to reach for thicker moisturizers to support your skin barrier in the fall and winter. Pamper parched skin with plant-based Desert Essence Revitalizing Oils Moisturizer, which is replete with antioxidants and essential fatty acids that keep the skin silky soft. Another one of go-to’s is Desert Essence Daily Essential Moisturizer, which blends jojoba oil, organic aloe and safflower oil for a radiant glow and burst of hydration. This formula wears beautifully underneath makeup, which makes it ideal for those cool fall mornings when you’re getting ready to go out for the day.
For extra moisture-locking goodness, add a facial oil such as Desert Essence Balancing Face Oil or Desert Essence Restorative Face Oil to your autumn skincare routine. Just make sure to go in with your facial oil last so that the rest of your serums and moisturizers have a chance to absorb into your skin.
2. Skipping Sunscreen
Even as the days grow shorter and the temperatures wind down, UV rays are still present in the fall. That’s why it’s important to continue using sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. After cleansing and moisturizing, make sure to lather on sunscreen if you’re going out for the day.
3. Over-Exfoliating
Exfoliation can be helpful all year round, but you can have too much of a good thing. During autumn, your skin might experience more dryness and irritation from the cooling temperatures, and over-exfoliating can exacerbate discomfort. To refresh your complexion without compromising your skin barrier, apply a gentle exfoliant, such as Desert Essence Gentle Facial Scrub, no more than once a week.
4. Ignoring Lip Care
When buildup up facial skincare routines, one part of the face that we often gloss over is the lips. Lips are one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and they often become chapped and dry during autumn. For kissably soft lips, keep a lip balm handy in your bag and remember to apply it throughout the day. Whenever your lips feel dry, pamper them with Desert Essence Lip Balms & Lip Protection, which incorporate a hydrating blend of botanical moisturizers, waxes and plant extracts.
5. Forgetting About Body Skin Care
Skin care for fall shouldn’t be limited to facial care — don’t forget to show your body some love as well! To cleanse your body and buff away dead skin cells, freshen up with Desert Essence Manuka Oil & Tea Tree Oil Exfoliating Soap Bar, which features cleansing and antiseptic properties courtesy of its namesake oils. This gentle, plant-based soap bar exfoliates your skin while softening it, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin. After showering, you can apply Desert Essence Manuka Oil & Tea Tree Oil Therapeutic Skin Ointment to parts of your body that are dry or irritated from the chilly fall weather.
6. Neglecting Hand Care
While you can apply a body butter or lotion right after you shower, consider using a hand cream throughout the day. When you wash your hands over the course of a day, they may become prone to dryness and irritation, especially with the cool temperatures of sweater weather. Indulge in autumnal nourishment with Desert Essence Pumpkin Spice Hand Repair Cream, a deliciously scented formula that softens hands with fast-absorbing organic pumpkin and moisture-replenishing jojoba oil.
Now that you know which fall skincare mistakes to avoid, it’s time to consider what you can add to your routine this season. To give your skincare regimen a botanically powered boost, check out cleansers, moisturizers and treatments from Desert Essence’s cruelty-free and plant-based Skin Care Collection.