How to Transition Your Skincare Routine from Summer to Fall
Summer to fall means cooler mornings, lower humidity, cozy sweaters and often a change in what your skin needs.
You may notice that skin that felt perfectly comfortable all summer suddenly feels a little tighter or drier. Hands may need moisturizer more often, lips can start feeling chapped, and areas like elbows, knees and heels may become noticeably rougher.
That doesn't necessarily mean you need an entirely new skincare routine. A few simple changes can often help your skin adjust to the new season.
As a pharmacist, skincare formulator, and founder of Kosmatology, I'm a big believer in keeping skincare simple and paying attention to what your skin actually needs rather than following a complicated routine.
Here are some of my favorite ways to transition your skincare routine from summer to fall.
Why Does Skin Feel Drier in the Fall?
Your skin's outermost layer acts as a protective barrier, helping to keep moisture in while protecting your body from the outside environment.
As temperatures and humidity levels drop, there is less moisture in the air. Add indoor heating as the season progresses, and your skin may lose moisture more readily than it did during the warmer, more humid months.
That's why you may suddenly find yourself reaching for moisturizer more often even though you haven't changed anything else in your routine.
1. Give Your Skin a Little More Moisture
One of the easiest fall skincare changes is simply paying attention to areas that are starting to feel dry.
Hands, elbows, knees and legs are often some of the first places you'll notice it.
This is when I start keeping a Lotion Bar within easy reach.
Unlike traditional liquid lotions, Kosmatology Lotion Bars are waterless and concentrated, made with plant-based oils, butters and waxes. You simply warm the bar against your skin and glide it directly over areas that need moisture.
They're also easy to keep on a nightstand, desk or in your bag, so you can moisturize whenever you need it.
Pharmacist Tip: Try applying moisturizer shortly after bathing or showering while your skin is still slightly damp. This can help seal in some of that moisture.
2. Don't Wait Until Your Skin Feels Really Dry
We often don't think about moisturizing until our skin is already feeling uncomfortable.
Instead, make moisturizing part of your regular routine as the weather changes.
Maybe that means applying a Lotion Bar to your hands before bed, moisturizing your legs after showering, or keeping one at your desk for your hands and elbows.
A small habit that's easy to maintain is usually better than an elaborate routine you won't stick with.
3. Keep Cleansing Gentle
Cooler weather doesn't mean you should stop washing, it means it's especially important to pay attention to how your skin feels after you wash.
Very hot water and harsh cleansers can leave skin feeling tight and dry. Choose gentle cleansers and use warm rather than excessively hot water.
Kosmatology's Foaming Hand Soaps and Body Washes are made with a gentle, plant-based formula and retain naturally occurring glycerin.
And remember: clean doesn't have to mean squeaky clean. That tight, stripped feeling isn't something you need to achieve for your skin to be clean.
4. Don't Forget About Your Face
You don't necessarily need to completely overhaul your facial skincare routine because fall arrives.
Instead, watch your skin. If it starts feeling drier, you may find that you need a little more moisture. If your skin continues to be oily, there's no reason to suddenly start using heavy products just because it's September.
The goal is to respond to your skin, not the calendar.
What About Oily and Acne-Prone Teen Skin?
Fall also means back to school, sports, activities and changing schedules for teens—and skincare can easily become either overly complicated or forgotten altogether.
One of the biggest misconceptions about oily skin is that the answer is to dry it out.
Over-cleansing and skipping moisturizer can leave skin feeling stripped without necessarily solving the problem.
That's one reason I created Herbal Teen as a simple two-step routine.
Start with Herbal Teen Face Wash to gently cleanse away dirt, excess oil and everyday buildup. Then follow with Herbal Teen Face Moisturizer, formulated with plant oils including grapeseed, hemp seed and jojoba, along with chamomile and calendula.
Yes, an oil-based moisturizer for oily skin. It may sound counterintuitive, but oily skin still needs moisture. Using harsh cleansers or over-cleansing in an effort to remove oil can strip the skin of its natural lipids and disrupt the skin barrier. For some people, this can leave skin feeling dehydrated and may contribute to increased oiliness. The goal isn't to eliminate every trace of oil, it's to cleanse without leaving skin feeling stripped and provide lightweight moisture that supports the skin barrier without feeling heavy.
And when it comes to teen skincare, I especially believe:
More product isn't necessarily better.
A simple routine that's actually used consistently can be much more practical than a bathroom counter filled with products.
5. Remember Your Feet
Sandal season may be winding down, but that doesn't mean foot care should disappear until next summer.
In fact, fall is a great time to give heels and other dry areas a little extra attention before they're tucked into socks and boots for the next several months.
Our Mint Your Feet Foot Scrub can be used as a traditional scrub or added to warm water as a foot soak. Follow with the solid Mint Your Feet Foot Balm, which glides directly over heels and dry areas without getting balm all over your hands.
It's a simple little routine that feels especially good at the end of a long day.
6. Keep It Simple
You don't need a ten-step routine every time the seasons change.
For most people, transitioning into fall can be as simple as:
Continue gentle cleansing.
Pay attention to changes in how your skin feels.
Add moisture where and when you need it.
Avoid excessively hot water.
Be consistent.
Your skin's needs can change throughout the year and sometimes from one week to the next.
The important thing is to listen to your skin and adjust accordingly.
Fall Skincare Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
Cooler weather may mean your skin needs a little extra attention, but that doesn't mean you need to replace everything in your bathroom.
A few thoughtful changes and a consistent routine can help keep your skin feeling comfortable as we head into fall.
Here's to cooler days, cozy sweaters and happy skin. 🍂
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Skincare
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A: As temperatures and humidity levels drop, there is less moisture in the air. Indoor heating can also contribute to dryness. Together, these changes can make it harder for the skin to retain moisture, which is why you may notice more dryness, tightness, or roughness as the seasons change.
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A: You don't necessarily need an entirely new routine. Pay attention to how your skin feels and adjust as needed. You may find that you need to moisturize more frequently, use gentler cleansers, or give extra attention to areas that become dry as the weather changes.
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A: Use gentle cleansers, avoid excessively hot showers, and moisturize regularly. Applying moisturizer shortly after bathing or showering while the skin is still slightly damp can also help seal in moisture.
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A: Yes. Oily skin still needs moisture. Using harsh cleansers or over-cleansing in an effort to remove oil can strip the skin of its natural lipids and disrupt the skin barrier. For some people, this can leave skin feeling dehydrated and may contribute to increased oiliness. Look for lightweight moisture that supports the skin barrier without feeling heavy.
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A: Cooler weather and lower humidity can contribute to dry hands, but frequent handwashing can also play a role. Some cleansers remove too much of the natural oil that helps protect the skin barrier. Our Why Does Hand Soap Dry Out Your Hands? article takes a closer look at why this happens and what you can do to help keep your hands comfortable.
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A: Consistency matters more than creating a complicated routine. Apply moisturizer whenever your skin feels dry and consider keeping it somewhere you'll remember to use it such as next to your bed, at your desk, or near the sink.
About the Author
Janis Covey, PharmD
Compounding pharmacist and founder of Kosmatology, Janis formulates gentle skincare designed for sensitive skin and families. Her work focuses on ingredient transparency, skin barrier support, and simple routines that help skin stay comfortable and healthy. Learn more about her approach to skincare on the About Kosmatology page.
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