Now that we’ve officially said goodbye to summer and are embracing the cooler, darker days of fall and winter, it's time to swap out some products in your medicine cabinet. Why? Your skin reacts differently when the environment and weather change. And you no doubt need to do some damage control on the skin that's taken some abuse over the summer. We reached out to Sofie Pavitt, the in-demand New York aesthetician, for her advice on what we need to be focusing on right now to get our skin into shape. “Fall and winter are the ideal seasons to focus on corrective products as the heat and sun exposure from the summer months is reduced,” she says. Here is her game plan for smooth, healthy and itch-free skin all season long. Follow it and you'll not only feel great, but you'll look your very best too.
Fall Skincare Prep
Now’s the Time
to Exfoliant
“I love to ramp up exfoliation in the winter months to reduce dryness and flaky winter skin,” says Pavitt. “Alpha hydroxy acids will help dissolve the bonds between dead skin and healthy skin underneath.” But instead of relying on harsh exfoliators to slough off dry skin, she recommends something gentler. These easy two-step pads are soaked in a formula of seven different types of exfoliating acids with antioxidant-rich Resveratrol that clear away flaky skin and fine lines while shrinking the appearance of pores.
Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel,
$88 by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Supercharge the Skin
“Adding a retinol into your routine will speed up your columns turnover and diminish fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. Any dark spots from summer can be faded using retinols too. “I like using retinols in these months as they can sensitize you to the sun, so I find them easier to use in the darker months.” Pavitt says this serum, which combines encapsulated retinol with natural lactic acid, is both gentle yet effective at tackling uneven skin tone, fine lines and even breakouts.
Retinol Reform,
$88 by Shani Darden
Up the Hydration
As the air gets colder and dry heat starts pumping into our homes, moisture is key to keeping skin looking and feeling its best. “Layering oils on top of your everyday moisturizer helps seal it in and protects your skin against the elements,” says Pavitt. “But always make sure your oil is the last step in your routine—a little goes a long way.” Our new go-to is actually a blend of 20+ oils and antioxidant-rich extracts that not only hydrates but repairs skin. Best of all, it absorbs quickly without leaving you looking shiny.
Nourishing Facial Oil,
$40.50 by Onekind
But You Still
Need Sunscreen
Just because you're not lounging by the water doesn't mean you don't still require protection from the sun. We're subjected to harmful UVA and UVB rays all year long, so it's essential to remain diligent about SPF. The best sunscreen is the one you'll use on a day-to-day basis, which is why we opt for a morning moisturizer with built-in protection. Jaxon Lane's formula—which combines soothing green tea with hydrating vitamin E and hyaluronic acid—is both lightweight and non-greasy.
Daily SPF 50+ moisturizer,
$32 by Jaxon Lane
Think Beyond
Your Face
One thing lots of guys can forget to do, even if they're diligent about taking care of their face, is protecting the rest of their bodies. Keep itchy skin and dry hands at bay by scrubbing up in the shower (with an ingenious oversized exfoliating wash cloth from Japan) and then applying a rich body cream (formulated to soothe itchy skin and reduce inflammation) after toweling off. This one-two punch ensures your skin is healthy and hydrated and you won't get any cracking or flaking.
Body cream, $12.99 by Marlowe and Exfoliating shower towel, $15 by Goshi
FYI
It may be tempting to take a long, hot shower, but according to the doctors at the American Academy of Dermatology, your skin will be much better-served with a shorter 5- to 10-minute lukewarm shower.