With the changing of the season comes a raft of inevitable (yet essential) adjustments you must make to your skincare routine. My advice is this: don’t overcomplicate it. If something is working for your skin, keep it — skin is such an individualised organ that responds to its own set of needs and the various lifestyle factors that may influence it. Instead, for autumn skincare, look to employ a slightly thicker moisturiser, invest in some seasonal treatments, and ditch all the beachside mists (not that they got much use this summer, anyway).
Splash
These are the new additions we’ve deemed worthy of your skin. Splurge a little on a facial, and add an extra skincare step — see these as all the necessary preparations for hibernation. Those seeking a new facial treatment should look no further than the newly-renovated East Day Spa and invest in one of the coveted 302 Enzyme Peels. These are the perfect, one-stop treatments to prep your skin to get to work this winter. When cleansing, retire the oil-stripping cleansing in favour of a first-step balm, like the Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm from Spring, which adds nutrients to your skin rather than removing them. Elsewhere, add a thick and nourishing moisturiser for an extra layer of elemental protection. We’ve recently tried the Face Gym Supreme Restructure Collagen-Boosting Ceramide Cream from Mecca and can attest that this is quite literally worth its weight in gold.
Sign up to our free EDM subscription today.
Stash
We’d suggest keeping these products and rituals in your routine through hell and high water — they’re favourites because we know they work all year round, and they form some of those healthy habits that maintain a perennial glow. SPF, an essential associated with summer days, is just as necessary now that we’re moving to the cooler months — especially when we’re looking at it as an anti-aging tool. Some of our current favourites for autumn skincare include the Emma Lewisham Illuminating Brighten Your Day Crème, a beautifully tinted mineral option, and the Ultra Violette Queen Screen Luminising Sun Serum, which also doubles as a perfect primer. Elsewhere, we’d recommend keeping up the lymphatic drainage massages for your body and your face. As your body adjusts to the shifts and stresses of a new season, it likely calls for further support in detoxing and sliding elimination — so let this soothing ritual do the heavy lifting for you.
Trash
These are the items we’d either discard if the expiration date won’t see you through until next summer or tuck away for any planned European summer travels as your skin no longer calls for them. Think light hydration mists, like the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream Mist or the Ciciapair Facial Calming Mist (necessary for any sunkissed cheek relief). We look to replace these with thicker creams that add a more penetrative layer of hydration, like the Allies of Skin Multi Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum, or for a touch of luxury, La Mer’s The Hydrating Infused Emulsion is truly exquisite.
