Fall is here!
With it comes pumpkin spice everything, cozy sweaters and spooky movies — and also dry ass skin that doesn’t want to cooperate with anything. Thanks, but no thanks.
The change from warm summer days to chilly autumn nights can really mess up your skin, and it’s up to you to save it from this horrible fate. Here are some tips and tricks to help.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Do I need to say it again? You should be doing this year-round, but it’s so important during the colder months.
But it not enough to just slap on any ol’ lotion. Find the best moisturizer for you. If you have extremely oily skin, opt for an oil-free moisturizer. Got extremely dry skin? Try using a creme or, in severe cases, ointment. If you have combination skin, test out different products and see what works for you.
Apply moisturizer as often as you need — especially after a long, hot shower. Don’t forget to use face moisturizer and lip balm either.
Editor’s note: This word “hygge” tho! Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for coziness, comfort and conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment — love #mood
Get rid of dead skin
No matter your skin type, you should be exfoliating. Dermatologists suggest we exfoliate at least once a week. Exfoliating is the process of removing a layer of dead skin. Gross, I know. But it makes your complexion look amazing. There are several ways you can exfoliate:
- Brushes or face towels: Whatever you use, make sure it’s damp. Apply your favorite facial wash and rub gently in circular motions.
- Sugar scrubs: Sugar scrubs are a great way to remove dead skin. You can find them at literally any drugstore, or make it at home with equal parts coconut oil and sugar. Gently massage into your skin, and rinse thoroughly. Your skin will feel soft and smooth afterwards. I also like to use homemade sugar scrubs on my lips. Not gonna lie — it’s delicious and helps with my perpetually chapped lips.
- Chemical peels: Chemical peels are formulated to magically remove dead skin. You apply a thin layer, wait a couple seconds and just rub. It works really well without feeling abrasive. Your dead skin will start to clump up and fall out. It’s disgusting and satisfying at the same time.
Use SPF
Unless you’re living in California or Arizona, you aren’t going to see much of the sun for the next couple months. That does not mean you should skip out on SPF. The sun might not be emitting as many UVB rays — rays that cause sunburn — but it’s still emitting UVA rays, which cause fine lines and wrinkles.
Use a moisturizer with SPF daily, even if you’re only going to be out of the house for a couple minutes. Don’t forget to apply it your neck.
Wear makeup
Some folks might consider makeup “cheating” when it comes to great-looking skin, but those folks can kiss my ass. Makeup is a great confidence booster, and when you’re in front of a bunch of lights and a camera, confidence is not a bad thing. Use foundation that won’t dry out your skin, and opt for setting spray instead of powder to set your face.
…and enjoy the opportunity for fun!
Play around with your makeup and use fall colors. Burnt orange and warm browns look amazing on the eyelids, especially with a black eyeliner wing. Don’t be afraid to use a dark, vampy lip. Deep reds, dark blues and — if you’re bold enough — black looks so cool and edgy.
‘Tis the season!
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Ariane Torres is a writer who says funny things on occasion. Email her at ariane@ynotcam.com and find her on Twitter at @tofulumpia.
Image via Sas Van Veen.