The leaves are falling, the nights are drawing in and that warm summer light is no more. Autumn is well and truly on its way and with it comes a new set of skincare rules to maintain a healthy visage. Chilly winds, central heating, a lack of vitamin D and comfort food are back on the seasonal menu and that can mean a dull and dehydrated complexion faster than you say “spiced pumpkin latte”.
But just like we swap our linen for cashmere and our flip flops for slippers, we also have to make a couple of tweaks to our skincare regime. After a season of sun, autumn is all about focusing on restoring and strengthening our skin's barrier, repairing pigmentation and staving off sensitivity.
We have 12 easy ways to update your skincare routine for autumn to keep your glow going.
1. Use a hydrating cleanser
Throughout the warmer months, our MO is to make sure sun cream, sweat and excess oil are cleansed from our skin to stop blemishes and congestion. In autumn, however, we're looking to put the moisture back into our skin that we lose through heavier make-up and environmental aggressors. Swapping a gel cleanser for an oil or balm like our Willowberry Nutrient Boost Cleansing Balm will ensure you're maximising hydration during cleansing, while not removing those naturally occurring oils from the skin.
2. Exfoliate enough
Autumn skin is generally drier and flakier, so exfoliating once or twice a week will clear any dead skin cells, leaving your skin brighter and your products more readily absorbed. Opt for gentle chemical exfoliators like PHAs over grainy products, which can damage your skin's barrier.
3. Don't forget about SPF
Just because the sun isn't as strong doesn't mean that SPF should be packed away until next summer. UV rays are present all year round, even when it's cloudy, cold and raining. Protect your skin from sensitivity, redness and pigmentation by stocking up on SPF.
4. Eat your greens
It's all well and good adopting a targeted skincare routine, but we should also be protecting our complexion from the inside as the weather changes. Eating seasonally with an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables can reduce the oxidative stress that contributes to premature ageing, while boosting collagen production.
5. Get oiled up
Keeping your skin hydrated and happy will be your top beauty priority during the new season and it couldn't be easier with the right products. Adding a face oil to your routine along with your face cream will lock in moisture all day long - opt for our Willowberry Nutrient Boost Face Oil to give skin a hit of vital antioxidants and vitamins.
6. Don't forget your lips
Chapped lips is an unwelcome side-effect of autumn and is often overlooked until it's too late. Opt for a natural lip balm to keep your pout hydrated whatever the weather.
7. Let hyaluronic help
Hyaluronic acid is a skincare superhero, as it helps boost skin’s moisture content by attracting and retaining water in the skin, holding up to a whopping 1,000 times its own weight in water, to offer superior skin hydration while rejuvenating, plumping and smoothing. You can find hyaluronic acid in our Willowberry Nutrient Boost Day Cream.
8. Drink more water
While staying hydrated seems like second nature in the sun (does a Pimms count?), water intake is just as important in the autumn and winter. As the air is a lot drier, it sucks the moisture from our skin, so make sure you put it back in with plenty of water or hot herbal tea.
9. Pay attention to ingredients
Essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants found in natural ingredients such as chia seed, rosehip oil and vitamin E will keep the skin dewy and hydrated, while cocoa butter will help to nourish, soften, condition and protect the skin to hydrate, smooth and improve skin elasticity. All of these ingredients can be found in abundance in our natural skincare products.
10. Boost circulation
It's not just what we apply that matters, but also how we apply our skincare that can make a big difference to our skin health. Spend 10 minutes a day massaging product into your skin, using sweeping motions to the outer edges of your face to encourage lymphatic drainage, for a healthy glow.
11. Protect the delicate eye area
Whipping winds and cold temps can wreak havoc with the delicate skin around our eyes. Keep them hydrated and bright with our Willowberry Reviving Eye Cream in the morning and at night.
12. Up the TLC
Gone are the days where we can rely on our summer glow to see our skin through. Autumn skin needs a little more attention, which is where moisture-boosting face masks come into their own. Our Willowberry Nutrient Boost Cleansing Balm doubles up as a luxurious face mask, or make your own using avocado or natural yoghurt.
Article by Jessica Harris
Willowberry is 'Nutritious Natural' skincare for grown-ups for your best skin. Launched in 2017, Willowberry is an award-winning independent British brand that has gained a cult following. Loved by top make-up artists, the streamlined, highly effective range protects skin’s natural barrier function to nourish and transform grown-up skin, with indulgent formulas that feed the skin and soul.