How to Combat Seasonal Skin Sensitivities
As the leaves start to change and the crisp fall air sets in, many of us find ourselves dealing with more than just swapping our wardrobes. Seasonal changes can have a significant impact on our skin, and fall is no exception. The shift from warm, humid summer days to cooler, drier autumn weather can trigger various skin sensitivities. But don’t worry — with the right approach, you can keep your skin comfortable and healthy throughout the season.
Understanding Common Fall Skin Sensitivities
As the weather cools, you may notice your skin feeling drier, tighter, or even flaky. Here are some of the most common skin sensitivities that occur in the fall:
Dryness and Flakiness: Cooler air and lower humidity levels can strip your skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, flakiness, and irritation.
Increased Sensitivity and Redness: As the temperature drops, our skin’s protective barrier can become compromised. This makes it more susceptible to environmental aggressors, leading to redness, sensitivity, and even flare-ups of conditions like eczema or rosacea.
Itchiness: The transition to indoor heating and exposure to wind can irritate your skin further, causing itchiness and discomfort.
Breakouts and Congestion: Sudden changes in weather can disrupt your skin’s oil production, leading to unexpected breakouts or congestion as your skin adjusts to the new environment.
How to Soothe and Protect Your Skin This Fall
To help your skin transition smoothly into the fall season, we recommend a few targeted approaches. Here’s how you can combat seasonal sensitivities and keep your skin feeling comfortable and resilient:
Lock in Hydration: As the humidity levels drop, your skin needs more hydration. Opt for a serum with hydrating properties that helps lock in moisture and strengthens your skin barrier. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and natural oils that work to replenish and maintain your skin’s hydration levels
Holistic Vanity’s Triple Hyaluronic is an excellent serum choice. This multi-molecular weight serum provides broad spectrum hydration that calms redness and helps rebuild your skin’s barrier.
Exfoliate Gently: While it may be tempting to scrub away any flaky skin, over-exfoliation can actually worsen sensitivity. Choose gentle exfoliating treatments that remove dead skin cells without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. Enzyme-based exfoliators or mild acids are great options for maintaining a smooth complexion while being gentle on sensitive skin.
Our AFA Gel Peel Treatment is a great option for those seeking exfoliation on the gentler side - your esthetician will choose the AFA peel strength based on your skin’s current conditions and sensitivity.
Protect Your Skin Barrier: With the season’s temperature fluctuations, your skin’s barrier is more prone to damage. Products that are formulated to repair and protect the skin barrier can help prevent irritation, redness, and moisture loss. Consider face oils or creams that contain soothing ingredients like niacinamide, squalane, or chamomile.
Pure + Simple’s Sensitive Skin Face Oil is a great soothing option for those who suffer from irritation during seasonal shifts. This fast absorbing formula helps alleviate redness, heat and irritation while soothing the skin.
Avoid Hot Showers: As tempting as a hot shower might be on a chilly day, hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to further dryness and sensitivity. Stick to lukewarm water, and always moisturize immediately after showering to lock in moisture.
Holistic Vanity’s AHA Body Soothing Cream is a solutions-forward body cream, designed to target dry patches, roughness and dead-skin body build up.Perfect for any season, but especially during transitional weather, this body cream smooths, clarifies and renews body skin.
Treat Sensitivity with Care: If you’re already experiencing redness, irritation, or breakouts, opt for services specifically designed for sensitive skin. Look for calming facials that use products formulated to soothe and reduce inflammation, without aggravating your skin further.
The Calm + Lift Facial is specifically designed with sensitive skin in mind. This facial is designed to stimulate collagen, reduce wrinkles and lift the skin without causing redness or irritation – unlike other traditional lifting facials.
The Aquabrasion Facial is a go-to pick for our sensitive skin clients. This facial is designed to deeply hydrate your skin, leaving it plump and dewy while minimizing pore size and wrinkles. The Aquabrasion tool gently but effectively exfoliates your skin, causing no irritation or redness.
Don’t Forget SPF: Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you can skip the sunscreen. UV rays are present year-round, and protecting your skin from sun exposure is crucial for preventing damage, particularly when your skin is already sensitive.
The UNSUN Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is the perfect size to bring on the go so you never miss re-applying.
Final Thoughts
Fall is a season of change, and it’s essential to adjust your skincare routine to meet your skin’s evolving needs. Understanding how to combat seasonal sensitivities can make all the difference in how your skin looks and feels. By taking proactive steps, using the right products, and choosing the best services for your skin type, you can enjoy the beauty of the season while maintaining a healthy, radiant complexion.
