What does your skin need in Autumn?

Unlike Australia's relentlessly scorching summer and wet winter, autumn is somewhat mild by comparison. Categorised by crisp, cool fresh air and moody overcast skies, it's the season that gently reminds us to rest and recuperate.

Things are changing, and we're not just talking about the weather and the colour of the leaves — your approach to skin care also needs to be updated to address the specific effects of the season. 

But how exactly does our skin change in autumn, you may be wondering? Here, BEAUTYcrew speaks to Esmi's Skin Service Coordinator, Genna Hodson, to determine just that. 

Exposure to sun, salt and sand during the summer months can make your skin feel drier and more dehydrated, which can be an indication that your skin barrier and microbiome has been disrupted, the expert explains. Not to mention, that during the warmer months, our skin is experiencing the effects of being subjected to a little more heat and UV. So by the time autumn rolls around, you may become more aware of specific skin concerns like pigmentation, freckles and redness.

"As autumn and the cooler months are in full swing, weather conditions like wind and cold rain can flare up inflammatory skin concerns and exacerbate a more sensitive or reactive skin. This means that the skin may show signs of irritation, redness and inflammation a little more often," says Hodson. "Our skin will be exposed to cooler, drier temperatures as the humidity drops and we tend to increase the use artificial heating — this can make our skin feel a little more thirsty than usual — and we might feel like our skin is needing more nourishment overall."

What changes can we make to our skin care routines to support our skin through autumn?

"Autumn is a great time to swap out those more lightweight skincare products and look to add some more nourishment to the skin, encouraging a healthy skin barrier," Hodson explains.

This can be as simple as swapping your gel cleanser for a creamier cleanser, introducing a more nourishing moisturiser to your routine, or even trying a facial oil in place of a moisturiser. You can even add a few drops of facial oil to your moisturiser to increase nourishment without overloading your skin.

The eye area can show prominent signs of dryness and dehydration, which is why introducing a hydrating eye product one to three times per week can help to give particularly dull-looking skin a radiance boost, she advises.

March to May is also a great time to start treating your post summer hyperpigmentation by increasing the use of brightening skincare. Ingredients that work to gently brighten skin tone like antioxidants will also help to address free radical damage too, preventing the formation of future dark spots. While, adding a gentle exfoliating product to your skin care routine will ensure that any dead skin cells, dirt or debris that has settled on the skin is removed properly, as well as improving the absorption of your other skin care products.

Try: Esmi Brightening HydraDew Patches ($39 from Esmi), BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil ($32 from Sephora), or Fenty Skin Cherry Dub BHA Toner (445 from Sephora)

What skin care ingredients should you be using in autumn?

"We want to ensure the delicate skin barrier and microbiome is as happy as possible as the weather cools down," Hodson advises. "Avoid anything that will strip your skin (like harsh foaming cleansers and strong chemical or manual exfoliants) as this can lead to unwanted irritation."

Skin may already be feeling a little dry and delicate from the cooler weather in autumn so avoiding any alcohol-based products is helpful to avoid drying out the skin further. And if your skin is particularly sensitive Hodson suggests holding off on any strong retinoids, which can be a bit too harsh for thin and delicate skin. Instead look for ingredients that target hydration, nourishment, hyperpigmentation and brightening.

Sodium Hyaluronate helps to combat dehydration, reinforces a damaged barrier, and plumps fine lines and wrinkles, says Hodson. 

Brightening vitamin C can minimise the appearance of dark spots, as well as protect the skin from free radical damage. While, niacinamide evens skin tone, allantoin protects, conditions, and reduces the appearance of dark circles, and retinol alternative bakuchiol delivers similar anti-ageing benefits, minus the potential irritation.

Moisturising and occlusive ingredients (think: natural oils, butters and waxes) are also great to integrate into your autumn skin care routine as they form a protective barrier around the surface of your skin and promote moisture retention. 

Try: Laneige Bouncy & Firm Serum ($65 from Sephora), Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum ($148 from Sephora), or Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP ($160 from The Iconic)

Are there any in-clinic treatments you should try in autumn?

There are some great in clinic treatments that help to support the skin during autumn, says Hodson. 

"You can’t go wrong by visiting your local beauty salon or skin clinic and indulging in a classic, hydrating facial," she explains. You can boost the hydration levels in the skin with a facial massage that stimulates circulation and blood flow, promoting a plump, and more radiant complexion overall.

LED light treatments are a great alternative to invasive measures — they utilise specific light frequencies to penetrate the skin at different depths to treat skin concerns.

"Red light for stimulating collagen production and reducing inflammation is a great option," Hodson says.

Another non-invasive treatment with no down time that Hodson recommends are enzyme peels.

"Enzyme peels are a lot gentler than your classic chemical facial peel treatment and use fruit enzymes to break down dead skin cells, while also nourishing the skin, leaving it brighter and healthier," she tells BEAUTYcrew. "They're gentle enough for sensitive skin, require no downtime, and deliver instant results."

Try: MECCA Express Skin Hydrate & Brighten Facial ($60 from MECCA), LED light therapy (from $75 at Laser Clinics), or The Skin Bar's Herbal B Peel ($249 from The Skin Bar)

Main image credit: @ninapark

You could always take matters into your own hands too — this is how to recreate a Korean-inspired glass skin facial from the comfort of your own home according to the expert who created it.