Transitioning from summer to fall brings changes, including to your skin care routine. Fall brings cooler temperatures and lower humidity, which can leave your skin feeling dry, flaky, and sensitive. The skincare regimen that worked during the summer might not be enough to keep your skin healthy through the fall months. Here’s how to adjust and why sunscreen should remain a staple.
Read more about preparing your skin for the fall.
During the summer months, we focus on protecting our skin from sunburn, excess oil, and sweat. But fall requires more hydration and protection against the drier air. Switch to a heavier moisturizer to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. You might also want to add a gentle exfoliant to your routine. Dead skin cells can build up more quickly during the cooler months.
One common misconception is that sunscreen isn’t necessary once summer ends. Even though you’re not lounging by the pool or wearing shorts, UV rays remain strong year-round. Fall might feel cooler, but the sun’s rays can still penetrate clouds and affect your skin. In fact, UV damage is cumulative and doesn’t disappear with the change in seasons. Wearing a SPF 30+ sunscreen while outdoors helps protect your skin from premature aging and the risk of skin cancer.
Other misconceptions
- Most people use sunscreen to prevent sunburn, which they typically experience during the summer months when they spend more time outdoors and in lighter clothing. Without frequent sunburns in cooler months, many stop using sunscreen.
- As the weather cools, people tend to cover up with long sleeves and pants. They often overlook exposed areas like the face, neck, and hands that still need sunscreen.
- When the weather cools down, the heat of the sun feels less intense. People often associate warmth with sun damage and fail to recognize that UV rays are still present and harmful regardless of outdoor temperature.
- Brands often market sunscreen for summer activities like beaches and outdoor sports, which reinforces the idea that sunscreen is a “summer-only” product.
- Some people believe they need sun exposure in cooler months for tanning or vitamin D, often skipping sunscreen to enhance these effects. However, unprotected exposure increases the risk of UV damage, while vitamin D can be obtained safely through diet or supplements.
So, as you pull out the sweatshirts and prepare for fall, remember that your fall skin care routine may need to be adjusted. Sunscreen remains an important part of that routine year-round.