How to update your skincare for autumn, revealed by a dermatologist
You tailor your diet to the seasons, eating warming foods and nourishing stews and soups in the winter and lighter salads in the summer.
But did you know you ought to mix up your skincare regime as we move from summer to autumn too?
Speaking to FEMAIL, Sydney-based dermatologist, Dr Natasha Cook, revealed how you can update your skincare for autumn.
And while you might expect that you need to up your moisturiser during the colder climes, there are also some surprising tips too - such as eating the skins of your vegetables.
Sydney-based dermatologist, Dr Natasha Cook (pictured), revealed how you can update your skincare for autumn
The dermatologist said you need to ditch foaming or scrubbing cleansers and instead opt for something more hydrating like a gentle cleanser and enriching moisturiser (stock image)
According to Dr Cook, autumn is a time for hydration and being gentle on your skin:
'The humidity is dropping and the dryness kicks in when the temperature drops,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
'Lower humidity in the atmosphere means drier skin. My top advice would be to keep your cleansing gentle - no foaming, scrubbing or stripping.
'Then, look for a more enriching moisturiser - filled with ingredients including glycerine (a humectant that binds and holds water into the skin), medical-grade lanolin (the closest thing to natural skin oils), shea butter and hyarulonic acid.'
The dermatologist recommends something like the Concentrated Hydration, which includes vitamin B3 and holds moisture in your skin for 12-15 hours.
Speaking about the other steps you can take towards smooth skin this autumn, Dr Cook said it's time to ditch your soap and use an oil-based shower and bath wash instead (stock image)
Speaking about the other steps you can take towards smooth skin this autumn, Dr Cook said it's time to ditch your soap and use an oil-based shower and bath wash instead:
'Using oil-based products will stop you from getting the winter itch or eczema, which is surprisingly common when the temperature drops.'
She said it's also important to moisturise straight away after you get out of the shower in order to 'hold the moisture in':
'Don't forget about areas like the lower legs, which are prone to major dryness,' Dr Cook added.
Dr Cook (pictured) also said it's important to moisturise as soon as you get out of the shower, and not to forget about especially dry areas, like lower legs and lips
Even though you might think you're safe in autumn, Dr Cook said you still need to apply sun cream as often the UV rays are just as harmful and we stay out longer in them (stock image)
How to look after your skin in autumn * Keep your cleansing gentle - no scrubs, soaps or foaming products. * Up the intensity of moisturiser by looking for products with ingredients like medical-grade lanolin, glycerin, shea butter and hyarulonic acid. * Use oil-based shower and bath wash for smooth skin. * Moisturise as soon as you get out of the shower to lock in moisture. * Don't forget SPF - UV rays are still very strong in the autumn. * Invest in a lip balm that is lanolin-based to stop lips from cracking. * Gt rid of mechanical exfoliants which scrub too harshly at your skin and boost radiance with gentle AHAs. * Eat red foods, which are packed with carotenoids. * Eat the skins of your vegetables which can help with boosting skin. * Supplement your diet with fish oil for hydration, vitamin D supplements, Niacinimide for repair or vitamin C for collagen.
Elsewhere, Dr Cook said you shouldn't forget about sun cream:
'We often get a false sense of security in autumn and winter, because we think the sun isn't as damaging,' she said.
'But the opposite is true as we stay out longer and get more UV damage. Make sure you're still using suncream and a lip balm - lanolin-based lip balms are my favourite.
'Lips naturally have fewer oil glands so they dry out and are prone to chelitis - a form of irritant lip eczema.'
She also said it's important to get rid of mechanical exfoliants, which can scrub too harshly at your skin:
'Instead, get rid of the dull, dry skin cells and boost your skin with gentle AHAs like lactic acid.'
Finally, Dr Cook revealed how you can best feed and supplement your body to ensure your skin stays glowing this autumn:
'Red foods are packed with carotenoids,' she said.
'Compounds that are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are good - think tomatoes, capsicum and carrots - go for tomato and carrot soup!'.
When it comes to diet, Dr Cook recommends eating red foods - which are full of carotenoids - as well as tomatoes with the skin on them, cooked, as they're full of Lycopene (stock image)
However, rather than peeling your vegetables and enjoying them as they are, the Sydney-based dermatologist said you should eat the skins:
'Tomatoes have one of the best carotenoids in them known as Lycopene,' she said.
'But the Lycopene is only in the skin of the tomato and it's only absorbed when cooked. So don't throw away your skins.'
She also said that if you want to take an immunity-boosting supplement this autumn and winter, either choose fish oil for hydration, vitamin D supplements, Niacinamide for repair, or vitamin C for collagen.
To read more from Dr Natasha Cook, please visit her website here.