Saying goodbye to summer isn’t only about folding up swimsuits and locking down pools. It’s also important to take a second look at your current skincare routine. Seasonal changes (especially moisture levels in the Midwest) can take a toll on your skin if you’re not prepared. Plus, you also want to recover from any sun damage you may have incurred over the summer.
So where do you start?
Our skincare experts at Amy Brenner, MD & Associates in Cincinnati have prepared your ultimate guide to revamp your daily routine. More than anything, we want you to look as great on the outside as you feel on the inside. So if you’re looking to revamp your fall skincare routine in 2020, keep reading and we’ll lay out our expert tips and advice.
Step One: Refresh the skin from summer fun
There’s nothing wrong with staying outside to soak in some vitamin D (especially if you lathered on SPF), but now it’s time to give your skin a little R&R.
You can start with exfoliation. Exfoliation, whether you use scrubs or chemical exfoliants, helps eliminate built-up dead skin cells that can make your summer tan dull and rough. GIving your skin a fresh start is a great way to clear out your pores so your fall skincare products can effectively penetrate the skin. If you are using a scrub, try to avoid products with large beads or other harsh particles. They could damage your skin barrier.
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Our top pick for a great fall exfoliating product: SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
This exfoliating cleanser uses alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)—lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, and malic acid—to provide mild post-summer exfoliation. Not only can it help with cellular turnover, this product can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enhance skin texture.
Along with AHAs, the cleanser contains delicate jojoba oil spheres to further promote exfoliation while minimizing skin irritation. The BHA compound, salicylic acid, also clears away dirty pores, which can help fight against acne.
To apply, wet your face with lukewarm water then gently massage the product into your skin as the first step in your morning and/or evening fall skincare routine. Since this product does contain AHAs, you want to make sure you apply SPF daily.
Pause: Regardless of which products you use, never neglect applying SPF even as the weather cools down. SPF is a fall skincare essential for fighting against sun damage and keeping your youthful complexion.
On top of exfoliating products, chemical peels are a great way to shed damaged layers of skin so that your skin is ready for fall. There are a variety of chemical peels you could choose from ranging from mild to deep tissue peels. If you haven’t gotten a peel before, we highly recommend that you start with a mild peel, such as a lactic acid peel, then gradually work your way up to something more intense like the Advance Corrective or VI Peel.
Next, you want to start rejuvenating the skin from all of that extra sun time. Rejuvenating products are designed to enhance the overall appearance of your skin. This includes fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots (you may notice more after summer), and uneven textures. After regular use, you’ll notice a smoother and more even-toned complexion that could shed years off your age.
Our top pick for a great fall rejuvenating product: SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ Serum
We can’t rave enough about the TNS Advanced+ Serum. Great for all skin types, this medical-grade product reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enhances your skin tone, and evens out your skin texture. We aren’t going to say it’s a miracle in a bottle, but it sure does work wonders, no matter what age you are. Made with a next-generation growth factor blend, innovative peptide complex, and highly active botanicals, you definitely want to add this product to your upgraded routine. Plus, you can use the serum year round!
Use this product morning and night after cleansing and toning your skin. Most people notice results after two weeks to 30 days with optimal results emerging after 90 days.
Step Two: Add more hydration and moisture
The key difference between your regular skincare routine and a fall skincare routine is how much moisture your skin needs. Oftentimes, the air is humid enough in the summer to cut back on heavy serums and moisturizers without a problem. However, autumn brings in drier air, and when the air gets drier, so does your skin. That means the same routine you used before may not be enough to fight against dry patches and flakiness.
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Whenever you’re searching for moisturizing products to add, here are a few ingredients you should look for that are great for enhancing your natural glow:
Hyaluronic acid: There’s nothing quite like the skin-plumping effects of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA has the capability to hold 1,000x its weight in water, which can help take off years from your appearance.
Glycerin: Glycerin is another humectant like HA, meaning it attracts and retains water. It also helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and protects against drying environmental forces.
Occlusives: Ingredients like shea butter, lanolin, and jojoba oil are great for sealing moisture into the skin. Keep in mind that these ingredients don’t actually provide additional moisture. Instead, they make sure that the moisture you do add doesn’t get pulled out.
Ceramides: Oftentimes, a damaged skin barrier is the cause of dry skin, which is common after summer wear and tear. Ceramides are a class of fatty acids that help repair your skin barrier to help your skin naturally retain more moisture.
One great way to ensure your skin stays moisturized, especially as fall turns into winter, is by adding a heavier cream to your product list. We’re not talking about a low-quality cream that will sit on top of your face without doing much. That will only leave you feeling greasy without treating any dry patches. Instead, you should get a medical-grade product that you know will get the job done right.
Our top pick for a great fall moisturizer: SkinMedica’s Dermal Repair Cream
The Dermal Repair Cream is an ultra-rich moisturizer made with the best ingredients. It is designed to deeply penetrate the skin to provide intense moisture and smooth your skin. This cream contains high levels of antioxidant vitamins A and C and moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and algae extract.
Best for dry to normal skin, you can use this protect twice a day after cleansing, toning, and applying other treatment products. This is also a great product to use as a night cream in drier seasons, even if you have slightly oilier skin.
Step Three: Find the right aesthetic treatments
Professional aesthetic treatments are the perfect complement to your fall skincare routine since they go above and beyond what a product can do. Throughout the year you can always get treatments such as:
However, laser treatments are a great addition for fall. While you can get laser treatments in the summer, your skin may become more sensitive to sun exposure. So you’d want to avoid tanning or spending too much time outdoors. For a lot of people, that’s not ideal. That’s why many wait until fall and winter to get their favorite laser facials!
Two of our favorite laser treatments are:
CO2RE CO2 laser skin resurfacing: uses laser technology to remove sun-damaged skin. This helps restore your skin from your time outdoors while reversing physical signs of aging. The process only takes about 40 to 60 minutes and you can expect about 10 to 14 days of recovery time.
IPL Photofacial: goes beyond laser technology by penetrating the skin with Intense Pulsed light to target dark spots, including the sun spots that you may have accrued this summer. A perfect fall-time treatment, the IPL Photofacial helps you achieve glowing, radiant skin.
The process takes about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the treatment area and comes with little to no downtime.
With any laser treatment, you want to make sure you go to a trusted medical facility for the best results possible. If done incorrectly, lasers could actually harm your skin or cause further pigmentation issues. At Amy Brenner, MD & Associates, our medical staff and aestheticians can provide safe and effective aesthetic procedures to help you look and feel your best.
Let Amy Brenner, MD & Associates help upgrade your fall skincare routine today.
Let our skin experts help create a customized routine and give you the skin you’ve always wanted. We will work with you to understand your unique skin conditions and concerns to get you one step closer to reaching your goals. As a medspa and medical practice, we are uniquely equipped with the ability to not only treat your skin, but also help you maintain your overall health.
We’re here to offer a warm, friendly environment while providing the highest quality treatments and procedures to help you look great and feel great.
Get started today by using our virtual consultation tool or scheduling an appointment.
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