Fall is finally here and that means we can look forward to cooler temperatures, wearing cozy sweaters, and drinking pumpkin spice lattes at the local cafe.
Fall brings new energy to the valley after a long, hot summer — the joy in the change in the seasons, the hillside foliage changing color, and the excitement of holiday celebrations just around the corner.
As we age, we need to take care of our health with good nutrition, exercise, and habits that support our mental well-being. Our skin deserves nothing less than what we do for the rest of ourselves — daily care and healthy routines.
Our skin is the most obvious place on our bodies that shows aging, sun damage, and stress. Autumn weather is challenging to our skin, so our skincare routine needs to adapt to the season.
The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley with eight acres of fitness facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, and a junior Olympic pool. When members aren’t busy working out, they enjoy eating at our cafe or getting a relaxing treatment at our spa.
In this article, we spoke with esthetician Angie George. You will learn how fall weather affects skin, what daily and seasonal skincare you can employ, and what products are best.
What challenges does fall bring to people’s skin?
Autumn brings dry air and cooler temperatures and when the temperatures drop further, indoor heating dries skin out even more.
Dry air affects the skin by pulling moisture from the skin’s surface, leading to desiccated skin that is itchy and can even crack. Skin loses its glow and takes on an ashy tone.
Dry skin also causes plump skin cells to shrivel, leading to premature fine lines and wrinkles. Wrinkling, creping, flaking, and sagging appear worse when the skin is dehydrated.
What is a good daily skincare program for the fall?
Having healthy skin requires daily attention. Just as we can’t get fit by exercising once a month, we can’t get great skin without regular maintenance.
The more diligent you are in creating daily and weekly skincare routines, the more benefits you will experience.
Mornings
Stick to this four-step morning routine to nurture your skin and keep it healthy and bright.
- Cleanse with a good quality normal-to-dry cleanser to wash away dirt and debris.
- Tone to constrict pores once they open from the cleanser and balance your skin’s pH balance.
- Moisturize using a good hydrating moisturizer to make your skin glow and be supple.
- Sunscreen is essential to wear during the day to keep from getting excess sun and causing hyperpigmentation.
Evenings
Before bed, repeat the same routine as the morning except for applying sunscreen.
Weekly
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a chemical, granular substance, or exfoliation tool. Exfoliating removes dry skin cells, revitalizes your skin, and leaves your face fresh and glowing. It also helps your skin take makeup better.
For best results, exfoliate 2-3 times a week.
Is fall a good time to remediate damage from summer sun exposure?
YES!
People spend more time outside during summer, causing damage to their skin. When UV rays enter skin cells, they upset delicate processes that affect the skin’s growth and appearance.
Over time, exposure to these rays can make the skin less elastic. Skin can thicken and appear leathery and wrinkled. Alternatively, some skin thins and looks like tissue paper. The more sun exposure you have, the earlier your skin ages.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is easily acquired from sun exposure, making your skin appear blotchy. Hyperpigmentation appears as brown, black, gray, red, or pink spots or patches. These colorations are also referred to as age spots, sun spots, or liver spots.
Dead skin cells
The outer layer of our skin is constantly shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new cells. Sun exposure damages or kills cells. When you sunburn and then peel, those are layers of cells shedding from your skin’s surface.
Are there seasonal treatments people should get during the fall?
Fall is the perfect time to care for the skin and remedy the damage we get during the summer — especially during the hot summers of the Santa Clarita Valley. Getting a facial when you aren’t in the sun all the time is better for your skin and helps the benefits of the facial last longer.
Peels
Peels are a way to remove dead or damaged skin, revealing fresh new cells. A peel is also the opportunity to nurture your skin with healing ingredients, revitalizing cells and giving you a glowing look.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is the process of using a tool to manually remove surface skin and peach fuzz, the soft, downy hair that covers our faces and bodies. This procedure can reduce the appearance of acne scars or other skin imperfections by revealing newer, undamaged skin. Although it does not stop the aging process, it can make recipients appear more youthful.
Deep exfoliation
Skin cells are constantly turning over and dying, so getting the dead skin off so the new skin can show. Makeup will go on more smoothly, and the skin will be less ruddy and more glowing and healthy.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure that works to revitalize the skin. Old, damaged skin is gently sanded or suctioned away. This method can be effective for treating fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scars, enlarged pores, stretch marks, sun damage, and more.
What types of products should people use during the fall?
As mentioned above, deeper exfoliators are a great choice for treating skin in the fall. You can also look for products with the following ingredients.
Vitamin C-rich products bring a natural glow to the skin’s surface. They also help minimize hyperpigmentation and promote collagen renewal and cellular turnover.
Hydroquinone is an agent that fades dark spots over time and helps to treat hyperpigmentation. It can be used by prescription from a doctor or as an over-the-counter product.
Retin-A is a vitamin A-based product that is good for smoothing skin making it appear more youthful.
Caring for your skin in the fall
As the season changes, so do our activities. Fall is the time to rejuvenate your skin from the damage it incurred over summer and moisturize it to protect it from autumn’s drying air.
A proper skincare routine helps you to look your best, minimizing hyperpigmentation, clogged or enlarged pores, wrinkles, and fine lines.
The Paseo Club hosts two massage therapists, Haruko Hayeshi and Tarra Clements, and esthetician Angie George. Book an appointment at the spa with them for massages, scrubs, facials, and other relaxing treatments.
If you are interested in learning more about the Paseo Club, schedule a tour. You can check out the courts, the classes, the pool, and the spa.
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