How Your Skin Changes from Summer to Fall—and What Dermatologists Recommend

As the warmth of summer gives way to the crispness of fall, your skin inevitably feels the shift. Seasonal changes can impact everything from moisture levels to texture and sensitivity, signalling that it’s time to reassess and refresh your routine. This transition offers an ideal opportunity to embrace hydration, protection, and rejuvenation, with guidance from professionals who understand how to unlock your skin’s potential.

Dermatologists emphasize the importance of adapting skincare to match the changing seasons, tailoring products to meet your unique needs for corrective, personalized, and transformative results. With the right, expert-backed solutions, you can keep your complexion radiant, resilient, and ready to face the cooler months ahead. After all, complex formulas that do more for your skin are what make the difference between simply caring for your skin and truly elevating it.

Let’s explore how these seasonal shifts affect your skin and what experts recommend to keep it at its best.

1. Sensitivity Increases—Time to Soothe and Protect

As temperatures drop and the winds pick up, your skin can become more sensitive and reactive. Many people experience increased irritation and redness during seasonal transitions, particularly in fall, as the skin adjusts to the cooler air. Dermatologists recommend products with calming ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide to soothe sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and protect the skin’s barrier to prevent further irritation and maintain a comfortable complexion.

TRY: SensiCalm
A gentle, pH-balanced cleanser infused with ceramides and niacinamide, SensiCalm is designed to lock in moisture while reducing redness. It soothes sensitive skin and restores comfort, providing balance as your skin adjusts to the changing season.

2. Exfoliation Needs Change—Time to Resurface

Throughout the summer, your skin naturally thickens as a defense against UV exposure, which can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells. As a result, skin can look dull by fall. Dermatologists suggest gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy cell turnover, which is key to autumn skincare. Ingredients like lactic acid are recommended to resurface the skin without causing irritation. Regular exfoliation reveals a brighter, smoother complexion and helps you maintain a healthy glow as the cooler months arrive.

TRY: MicroDerm Polish
This mechanical exfoliator with hydrated silica and jojoba esters gently buffs away dead skin cells, unveiling refreshed, glowing skin. It rehydrates and revitalizes the complexion, keeping it smooth and vibrant all season.

3. Sebum Production Changes—Reduce Seasonal Breakouts

Did you know that fall is the most common time of year for breakouts? This seasonally-induced combination of oil and dead skin cells can wreak havoc on your complexion. During the summer, oil flow tends to increase and can remain elevated into fall. However, as temperatures drop, dead skin cells begin to accumulate on the skin’s surface, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. These dead cells trap oil and bacteria, creating an environment where breakouts are more likely to occur. Without oxygen getting into the pore, C. acnes bacteria thrive, leading to blemishes and congestion. To combat this, dermatologists recommend regular exfoliation to keep pores clear and skin balanced.

TRY: Bright & Clear Solution
Bright & Clear Solution combines lactic acid and Superox-C™ to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, and refine the complexion. This conditioning toner smooths and revitalizes, helping to reduce seasonal breakouts while promoting a clear, refreshed appearance that’s ready to take on fall.

4. Sun Damage Becomes More Apparent—Repair and Renew

After months of sun exposure, signs of damage—such as hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, and fine lines—often become more visible in fall. Skincare experts recommend reparative treatments containing Vitamin C and peptides to repair and brighten sun-damaged skin. These ingredients promote smoother, more even-toned skin and support long-term skin health, making them key to autumn skincare.

TRY: EverActive C&E® + Peptide
Packed with 15% Vitamin C and MATRIXYL® Synthe’6®, this potent serum helps repair and renew sun-damaged skin. Its antioxidant-rich formula visibly reduces fine lines, evens skin tone, and restores radiance, all while ensuring maximum potency with its unique packaging.

5. Bring Back Retinol—Autumn is Perfect for Renewing Skin

Retinol may be worn in the summer, but dermatologists generally advise against it due to increased sun sensitivity. Fall’s lower UV levels make it the perfect time to reintroduce this powerful ingredient, which can work wonders for your skin. Retinol encourages cell turnover, helping to smooth fine lines, fade discoloration, and even clear acne. It also stimulates collagen and elastin production, promoting a firmer, more youthful complexion.

TRY: Retinol Resurfacing Serum
Available in three strengths, our Retinol Resurfacing Serum provides customizable options to match your skin’s tolerance and needs. This advanced formula features encapsulated retinol for a controlled release, reducing irritation while encouraging cell renewal. With regular use, it reveals a refreshed, even-toned complexion while boosting your skin’s resilience against signs of aging.

6. Moisture Levels Drop—Hydration Is Key

During the summer, humidity helps your skin retain moisture, but as fall approaches, the air becomes drier, and so does your skin. This drop in humidity can lead to increased dryness, flakiness, and tightness, making hydration a crucial aspect of autumn skincare. Richer moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid help replenish lost moisture and restore the skin’s protective barrier, keeping it smooth and supple throughout the season.

TRY: Ultimate Boost Serum
Infused with sodium hyaluronate and MATRIXYL® Synthe’6®, Ultimate Boost Serum deeply hydrates and fortifies the skin’s barrier. This powerful combination locks in moisture while visibly reducing fine lines, leaving skin plump, firm, and ready to take on the cooler months.

7. Don’t Forget Sun Protection—SPF Is Year-Round

Even though the sun feels less intense in the fall, UV damage remains a year-round concern. Dermatologists recommend continuing to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect your skin from premature aging and ensure it remains healthy and youthful over time. Sunscreen is an essential part of any autumn skincare routine.

TRY: Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 40
This lightweight sunscreen uses only mineral SPF filters to shield against both UVA and UVB rays, offering gentle yet effective sun protection. Beyond sun defense, it’s formulated with ELIX-IR™ and Physavie® to help guard against infrared and visible light, while Exo-P™ creates a biomimetic shield against pollution. It’s a comprehensive approach to keeping your skin safe and radiant, no matter the season.

Ready to Discover Your Seasonal Skincare Essentials?

Take our skin quiz to find the perfect products tailored to your skin’s needs this fall, and ensure your routine is ready to support your healthiest, most radiant skin yet.