From Sun-Kissed to Cozy: Caring for Your Skin as the Seasons Change
There’s something about the shift from summer to fall that makes me want to slow down a little.
The mornings get cooler. The evenings get shorter. We trade swimsuits for sweaters, long days at the lake for hikes through golden leaves, and eventually, sunscreen and sandals for cozy socks and fires in the fireplace.
Our skin notices the change, too.
After months of sunshine, swimming, sweating, wind, and outdoor adventures, your skin may be ready for a little extra care. And as the air becomes cooler and drier, your skin has to work harder to hold onto moisture.
The good news? You probably don't need an entirely new skincare routine. You just need to make a few thoughtful adjustments.
Your Skin Has Had a Busy Summer
Summer can be hard on skin in ways we don't always notice right away.
We've spent more time in the sun, swimming in chlorinated or salt water, sweating, washing our faces more often, and dealing with wind and outdoor exposure.
Even healthy skin can come out of summer feeling a little dry, rough, dull, or more reactive than usual.
That's why I like to think of early fall as a time to reset and replenish rather than start piling on products.
Why Skin Gets Drier in the Fall
As temperatures drop and humidity decreases, there is less moisture in the air surrounding your skin. Cooler, drier conditions can increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL) - the amount of water that moves from inside your skin into the environment.
Your skin barrier plays a huge role in slowing that moisture loss.
Think of your skin barrier like a brick wall. The skin cells are the bricks, and lipids (things like cholesterol and fatty acids) help form the mortar between them.
When that barrier is healthy, it helps keep moisture in and irritants out.
When it's compromised, you may notice:
- Dryness or flaking
- Tightness after cleansing
- Increased sensitivity
- Rough or dull-looking skin
- Redness or irritation
This is one reason I don't recommend waiting until your skin is painfully dry before changing your routine. A little prevention can go a long way.
Start With Gentle Cleansing
One of the easiest ways to support your skin as the seasons change is to reconsider how you're cleansing.
If you've been using a foaming or drying cleanser all summer, fall is a great time to simplify.
I personally oil cleanse every night, and I've been doing it for years. Oil cleansing works with a simple chemistry principle: like dissolves like.
Oil helps dissolve oil-based impurities like sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum without relying on harsh detergents to strip the skin.
This is also why I created Golden Hour Oil Cleanser. I wanted something that felt nourishing and moisturizing without feeling heavy, the kind of cleanser that leaves your skin clean and comfortable rather than tight and squeaky.
And if your skin feels tight after cleansing, that's often a sign that your cleanser may be doing a little too much.
Give Your Skin a Little More Nourishment
Fall is also a great time to reach for a little more moisture.
After cleansing, apply your moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. This helps trap some of that water against the skin while your moisturizer helps slow its evaporation.
This is where tallow balm really shines for me.
Tallow is rich in fatty acids that are compatible with the lipids naturally found in our skin. It creates a nourishing layer that helps support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
You don't need much.
One of my favorite things about tallow balm is that a little goes a long way. Warm a tiny amount between your fingertips and press or massage it into your skin.
If you've been using a lighter moisturizer during the summer, you may find that a small amount of tallow balm is all you need as the weather cools.
Don't Forget Your Lips
Your lips are often one of the first places you'll notice the change in weather.
They're particularly vulnerable because the skin of the lips is thinner and has fewer sebaceous glands than much of the rest of your skin.
Keep a nourishing lip balm nearby and use it before your lips become painfully dry.
This is one of those tiny habits that can save you from dealing with much bigger irritation later.
What About Exfoliation?
This is where I think many of us get into trouble.
When skin starts feeling rough or flaky, the instinct is often to exfoliate.
But if your skin is already dry or irritated, more exfoliation may not be what it needs.
Instead, start with hydration and barrier support.
If your skin is healthy and tolerates exfoliation well, there's nothing wrong with incorporating a gentle exfoliant occasionally. But you don't need to scrub away every bit of texture.
Sometimes your skin just needs time to recover.
Your Fall Routine Can Be Simple
If I were simplifying my skincare routine for fall, it would look something like this:
At night:
- Cleanse gently - an oil cleanser is my preference.
- Apply any targeted products (serums) you use.
- Finish with a nourishing moisturizer or a light layer of tallow balm.
In the morning:
- Rinse with water or gently cleanse if needed.
- Apply a small amount of moisturizer.
That's it.
You don't need a shelf full of products just because the seasons changed.
From Sun-Kissed to Cozy
I love the idea that our skincare can change with the seasons just like the rest of our lives.
Summer is about long days, bare skin, sunshine, swimming, and being outside as much as possible.
Fall invites us to slow down and nourish.
Listen to your skin.
If it's comfortable, balanced, and happy, you don't need to change everything.
If it's feeling tight, dry, or irritated, give it a little more support.
And as always, I'm a big believer that skincare doesn't need to be complicated. I'd rather have a handful of thoughtfully formulated products that I actually use than a bathroom cabinet full of products my skin doesn't need.
Keep the barrier healthy. Keep the routine simple. And give your skin what it actually needs.