We adjusted our skin care routine for summer, but now that fall is here it’s time to switch things up again. Our skin took a bit of a beating (we simply couldn’t resist a little bit of fun in the sun) over the last few months and it’s time to breathe some life back into it. So here’s how!

Life is difficult enough, so why not simplify how you take care of your skin? Using a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer daily and an exfoliant and mask or peel on a semi-regular basis can help you maintain beautiful, youthful skin through this transitional season, no matter what skin type you have.

Tip 1: Cleanse

Cleansing helps to remove dirt and impurities, and should be done morning and night. When removing makeup, it’s important to cleanse your face twice—once to remove makeup, and a second to clean your skin.

How to cleanse properly

The skin on our face is sensitive and suffers unintentional abuse, which can cause damage. Use lukewarm water when cleansing because hot water can cause redness and damage cells, while cold water will not open your pores. Apply cleanser in small, upward circular motions using the ring and middle fingers (these fingers are the weakest, and won’t allow you to rub too hard). This will stimulate skin just slightly, getting blood flowing and allowing pores to open, ensuring that your skin gets truly clean. To rinse, gently splash with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel. Be careful not to damage skin with aggressive drying.​

Tip 2: Tone

Toning is an important middle step that many people exclude. Toning helps to remove any remaining traces of make-up or oil. It also helps the skin to absorb the moisturizer. While toner isn’t mandatory, it is certainly helpful and should not be skipped. A toner’s main functions are to close pores, remove the last traces of dirt and oil, re-balance skin’s pH after, and deposit active ingredients into your skin;s layers after the dirt and oil is removed from cleansing. Toning will also get rid of any remaining traces of cleanser.​

Tip 3: Moisturize

There are two basic kinds of moisturizers. Oils, which penetrate deeper than creams and actually help to moderate skin’s oil production, and face creams. When choosing a face cream, make sure you find one with natural ingredients that help the cream penetrate your skin instead of just laying on top. Lotion in the morning acts as a primer for your makeup and at night helps your skin repair itself. Bottom line, it’s one of the best things you can do for glowing skin over the long term. Oils can contribute to sun damage, so it’s best to use an oil-based moisturizer at night, and one with SPF during the day.

Note: You need a specific moisturizer formulated for the eye area because that skin is among the thinnest on the body, and very delicate. Some moisturizers contain actives that are too irritating around the eyes.​

Tip 4: Exfoliate

We knew sunscreen should be at the top of our list for summer skin care–suddenly fall has arrived and our vibrant summer skin has become dull and rough overnight. Exfoliation is key in preparing skin for seasonal fluctuations. Light, gentle exfoliation is part of a healthy skin care routine to help promote circulation and cell regeneration for luminous skin. The number of times you should exfoliate in a week will depend on your skin type–less frequent (~once per week) for sensitive skin and more regular (~2-3x per week) for normal/active skin. Whatever skin type you have, keep your movements light and gentle.​

Tip 5: Masks & Peels

Peels and masks rejuvenate, and are a great addition to your fall skin care regimen. The biggest difference between masks and peels vs. products such as cleansers is the duration of application. Cleansers are quick-on/quick-off. Masks and peels are left on for a specific length of time, increasing the amount of active ingredients that penetrate the skin.

Peels

Peels gently remove the outermost layer of your skin, producing a smoother texture and sometimes helping even out pigmentation. They may also help fade fine lines or clean out pores. With peels, the degree to which the bonds between dead skin cells break apart and disappear is determined in part by how long you allow the acids to work. It’s best to use peels sparingly. The biggest mistake women make is applying peels daily, which can over-stress the skin or contribute to sun sensitivity.​

Masks

Masks can provide intensive moisture, absorb excess oil, or deliver antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or acne-fighting treatments to the skin. Acne-prone skin can benefit from peels that contain salicylic acid. Sensitive skin may do better with less irritating lactic acid peels or mild physical peels. Many products contain combinations of these active ingredients.