How to Prep Your Skin for the Fall

When the seasons change, your skin care routine should, too. Get a radiant complexion this autumn by incorporating these tips into your fall skin care routine.

Drink Water

When fall approaches, the air gets dry. In some areas, blustering winds and dry conditions leave skin flaky. The best and most basic approach is to drink more water. Ideally, you should drink about 3 liters of water per day. This allows your body to re-hydrate cells, boost circulation, and carry nutrients to the skin while carrying debris away. To make drinking water simple, invest in a one liter bottle like Nalgene. Give your body the water it needs to boost your skin hydration.

Eat Seasonable Vegetables

Fall offers some of the tastiest veggies, so why not cook a delicious meal? What you eat directly affects your skin, and vegetables will help you beat fall's brisk and dry conditions. Veggies like sweet potatoes pack a powerful punch of vitamins and antioxidants that boost your immune system and rejuvenate skin. Other veggies, especially cruciferous vegetables, are filled with vitamins and minerals vital to skin health. Think about artichokes, arugula, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, herbs, spinach, squash and so much more! Fall is the best time to stock up on veggies that will refresh your skin, your body and your mood.

Wear Sunscreen

Summer isn't the only time of year you should wear sunscreen; dermatologists recommend you wear a product that contains an SPF of at least 30 every day, no matter the season. Choose a day cream that contains SPF 30 under your makeup, and retouch every few hours with a powder that contains SPF. Many dermatologists recommend using mineral makeup, because it protects skin from the sun without clogging pores.

Moisturize Day and Night

If you don't already apply a day cream and night cream, it's time to start. Water-based creams are best for dry skin, and oil-based products help oily skin retain moisture for hydration. Integrate these creams into your beauty routine, and you'll notice your skin become firmer and more vibrant.

Wear Lip Balm

Don't forget your lips! The skin on your lips is the thinnest of any other surface area on your body, so it's important to keep them hydrated and healthy. Just like the rest of your skin, lips can get chapped, cracked and sunburned. Always choose a lip balm with at least SPF 30 and apply every few hours. You can also incorporate a gentle brown sugar scrub into your lip care routine about once a week to slough off dead skin cells and keep your lips smooth.

Try a Body Scrub

Don't forget the skin on the rest of your body! Unlike your face, the skin on your back, shoulders and torso is thicker and needs stronger treatment to keep it clear of blemishes. The skin on the rest of your body is also in constant friction with clothing and other materials that cause cell build-up and dirt to clog pores. It's no wonder that some of the worst acne appears on people's backs and shoulders. Body scrubs have larger exfoliating particles meant to slough off thicker skin cells. Even if you don't have acne on your body, you can awaken your skin with a scrub that takes away old dead cells. Depending on your skin type, you may want to buy or make your own scrub with olive oil, honey, raw sugar, oatmeal, and more. Add an essential oil like lavender to relax your body and mind.

Check in with Your Doctor

If you have persistent or worsening skin problems like dullness or acne, don't hesitate to contact your doctor. A dermatologist may recommend further treatment if your skin issues aren't related to the seasons. Some women find that starting birth control or changing brands can relieve their acne. Birth control can help acne immensely; the estrogen and progesterone in your contraception may reduce the body's production of oil, lessening the likelihood of breakouts.

Change your skin care routine every season to keep your skin radiant. Follow these tips to get a glowing complexion.

Written by Guest Author for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.