6 tips for skin care during autumn

With the arrival of autumn, the days start to become colder. And, just like in the other seasons of the year, weather conditions directly influence the oiliness, vigor and beauty of the skin. “In autumn and winter, or in places where the air is very dry, the skin can and should be moisturized more often during the day, because it will suffer from the climate and become more dry”, explains dermatologist Dr. Paola Pomerantzeff, member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

Next, check out 7 tips for you to adapt the products used in your skincare routine and meet your skin needs this time of year. Look!

1. Pay attention to skin sensitivity

Taking care of the skin in cold weather is essential, but it is necessary to pay attention to the products used, as some cosmetics can further damage the skin. Certain cleaning products, for example, can harm the pH and the protective barrier, making the skin even more dry, because they are excessively abrasive. Therefore, consult a dermatologist so that he can indicate the most suitable product for your skin type.

two. Keep an eye on the substances in the composition

In hot weather, more fluid products, such as serums and gels, are prioritized in facial hydration because they do not make the skin excessively sticky or oily. However, with the arrival of the cold, the scenario changes. In the colder seasons, we should bet on moisturizers formulated in thicker and richer vehicles, such as creams, lotions and oils, in order to combat skin dehydration, explains Dr. Paola Pomerantzeff.

3. Invest in products that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier

Basically and roughly speaking, it keeps the good stuff inside the body and keeps out the bad stuff. However, various internal and external factors can damage or weaken the outermost layer of the epidermis. One of them, according to dermatologist Dr. Cintia Guedes, it’s the cold.

If you want to take the barrier a step further, look for moisturizers with ingredients that actually help repair the barrier itself. “The most common are ceramides and fatty acids […]. They can help make up for a deficiency in the skin’s natural lipids and ultimately help repair the barrier,” says the doctor.

4. use acids

In hot weather, acids are generally not prescribed as they tend to make the skin thinner, redder and much more susceptible to environmental aggressors such as the sun. However, cold weather is the ideal time to use these acids, as long as it is done under the guidance of a dermatologist.

“In fact, in autumn and winter, due to less exposure to the sun, acid prescriptions and peelings increase. This is an excellent time to use acids at home and to carry out in-office peels. Cell renewal improves texture and helps to improve open pores,” says Dr. Paola Pomerantzeff.

Still according to the dermatologist, “peelings can be associated with lasers, which improve blemishes and pores and enhance their effects. Now, about actives and acids, the best actives to reduce stains are retinoic acid, hydroquinone, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, among others”.

5. Apply scrubs to the skin

It is also during this season that skin exfoliation comes back with everything. “The exfoliant contains granular or enzymatic particles that help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, making it smoother, brighter and with a renewed appearance”, says dermatologist Lilian Brasileiro, member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

However, exfoliation cannot be done in any way. “It is important to be careful when using it, as using the product excessively or too hard can irritate the skin, cause redness and sensitivity and even worsen the spots, in addition to causing a rebound effect on oiliness”, he says.

“In general, it is recommended to exfoliate once a week or every two weeks, which will depend on the type of skin and individual sensitivity. Also, choose a gentle exfoliant suitable for your skin type and avoid applying it to sensitive areas, such as eyes and lips, and combining it with acid-based creams”, advises the doctor.

6. Use sunscreen

Even in the cold seasons, the use of photoprotector is indispensable. “A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects skin from aging (spots, wrinkles, and sagging) from sunburn and helps prevent skin cancer; it may also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory extracts and actives, which ‘clean’ part of the ‘dirt’ left by the radiation that escaped from the solar filter. These actives are important because no filter provides 100% protection and we do not always apply them evenly and in the right amount”, concludes dermatologist Dr. Cintia Guedes.

By Maria Claudia Amoroso