When the weather shifts, so should your skincare. Here’s your ultimate fall skincare routine to keep your skin happy and glowing all season long.
There are three major things that clue me in on the arrival of fall:
- The air goes from humid to crisp
- Leaves change color
- And my skin goes from being fine to suddenly dry
Love the first two, not a fan of the last one.
While the world around you is changing colors, your skin goes through a seasonal shift too.
The cool weather, dry indoor heat, and low humidity levels can strip your skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and dullness.
This is why you need a fall skincare routine that can help you transition into the new season and prep you well for the coming winter in advance.
This is important, because if you suddenly switch from light-weight products to super heavy stuff that is actually meant for harsh months, your skin can act up.
So, in this post, I am giving you a no-fluff skincare guide for fall.
From the best ingredients to include to the mistakes to avoid, this post breaks down exactly how to keep your skin happy and healthy during fall.
We’ll first look at a goodie good fall skincare routine, then some important fall skincare tips that you need to know to avoid breakouts and stay glowing all season.
Read on, autumn birdies!
The Ultimate Fall Skincare Routine
1. Start Using a Gentler Cleanser
Your summer cleanser might be too aggressive for fall, especially if it foams or contains harsh surfactants.
In colder weather, your skin produces less oil and retains less moisture, so the goal is to cleanse without stripping.
You need to pick a cream-based or milk cleanser that leaves your skin feeling soft, not squeaky clean and dry.
One great pick is The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm. It’s comforting, fragrance-free, and removes makeup without over-drying your skin.
But if you prefer a rinse-off cream cleanser, then go for CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It’s gentle, barrier-friendly, and budget-conscious. Remains a favorite about skincare girlies for a reasosn.
Okay, but now I have to tell you about what I am using. It is suchhh an amazing find, I can’t believe something so good exists.
It’s Moiz Cleansing Lotion from Glowderma (an Indian pharmacy brand).
It is totally free from soap, paraben, and sulphate. It would suit all skin types but is especially chef’s kiss for sensitive skin.
I was on the verge of a skin breakout when I started this (during rainy season), and it completely stopped the breakout! No kidding.
The delivery may take longer if you’re not in India, but it’s so worth it. Highly recommended from yours truly.
2. Exfoliate Less
You still need exfoliation in fall, because dead skin cells can pile up fast in cool weather. But overdoing can backfire big time, so you need to avoid it at all costs.
Instead of daily scrubs or strong peels, do it just once or twice a week. Go for gentler acids like lactic acid or PHAs.
I love Naturium’s Resurfacing Gel; it smooths your skin without irritating it.
For sensitive skin, Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Toner is a fan-favorite that will actually hydrate your skin while exfoliating.
3. Layer in Hydration Early With a Toner or Essence
Right after cleansing, your skin is primed to soak in hydration, so don’t waste that moment.
A hydrating toner or essence should help you boost moisture before your heavier products go on.
In fall, you want ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol.
Laneige cream skin toner & moisturizer is one of the most-loved options because it feels rich but sinks in like a dream.
If you prefer something lightweight but effective, Klairs unscented toner is a K-beauty favorite that balances and calms the skin very well.
4. Use a Serum That Repairs and Protects
Fall is the season to bring out your barrier-supporting serums to hydrate your skin deeply and support skin recovery.
This step is especially important for you if you’re seeing signs of sensitivity or dullness during the season.
The Ordinary niacinamide serum is affordable and effective. It will balance your skin’s oil and strengthening the barrier too.
If you want something lush that also fights signs of aging, Allies of Skin peptides & antioxidants treatment is a powerhouse.
For hydration and bounce, you can go for Vichy Mineral 89. It has hyaluronic acid and thermal water that layers beautifully under moisturizer, which is the next step of the routine.
5. Upgrade Your Moisturizer
A lightweight gel might’ve worked during those hot summer nights, but fall calls for more cushion.
Look for creams with emollients like squalane, shea butter, or ceramides to help trap in moisture and shield your skin from harsh elements.
First Aid Beauty’s ultra repair cream is a no-brainer for dry or flaky skin. Plus it’s fragrance-free and safe for sensitive types.
For a more luxe feel, you can go for Tatcha’s dewy skin cream. It delivers hydration and glow without clogging pores.
But if you’re battling dryness and breakouts, then go for La Roche-Posay’s double repair face moisturizer. It is a solid dermatologist-approved choice.
Me? I have picked up Glowderma’s Moiz LMF 48 lotion since their cleanser is working so well for me. But feel free to go for the above two options; they’re really good.
6. Add a Face Oil (Optional)
If you’ve never used facial oil before but would love to add it to your skincare routine, then fall is the perfect time to start.
Oils can help seal in moisture and reinforce your skin barrier, especially when left overnight.
They’re not just for dry skin, Actually, many facial oils are lightweight and non-comedogenic.
If you want to brighten and fade your post-summer pigmentation. then try The Ordinary rosehip seed oil.
Biossance rose oil is also very good. It hydrates, smooths, and adds a dewy finish that works under makeup or before bed.
7. Don’t Ditch Your SPF
UVA rays (the ones that cause long-term skin aging) are present year-round and can penetrate even through your windows.
So you need to wear SPF. Even in October, even when it’s cloudy, and even if you’re mostly inside.
Keep wearing a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, every single day.
If you want something lightweight and calming for sensitive or acne-prone skin, go for EltaMD UV SPF 46.
Another option you’ll love: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen, which goes on like a primer and works beautifully under makeup.
8. Keep Your Lips Moisturized Day and Night
Your lips are often the first place to show signs of seasonal dryness, and yet they’re the most overlooked part of a skincare routine.
In fall, cold air and indoor heating can leave them cracked, peeling, and uncomfortable.
Use a good lip balm in the morning after your skincare, and reapply throughout the day.
I have been using Inde Wild’s dewy lip treatment. It’s insane how good this thing is.
Again, it’s a new Indian brand going super popular in my country, but they ship all over the world.
Please don’t buy lip formulas with menthol or artificial fragrance. They can irritate more than they help.
At night, you want a thick balm that can lock in moisture. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a cult favorite for a reason, and you don’t need to look elsewhere.
You can exfoliate your lips once or twice a week with a sugar scrub, but I personally don’t do this during the cold season, as my lips are sensitive enough.
9. Use a Face Mask Weekly
A weekly hydrating mask can be the difference between dull skin and a glowing, well-rested face.
Look for masks that soothe, plump, and support your skin barrier.
Summer Fridays jet lag mask is basically fall skin’s comfort blanket. It will hydrate your skin and even double as an overnight mask.
Another great pick is Dr. Jart+ ceramidin cream-infused mask, which delivers a mega-dose of ceramides in a sheet mask format.
Use one after exfoliating or on a chill Sunday evening to reset your skin for the week. You’ll also get to tick off a cozy fall ritual from your checklist.
10. Upgrade Your Body Wash and Body Lotion
Just like your face, the skin on your body reacts to cooler weather, dry air, and long hot showers, which means you need to switch up your body care, too.
Start with your body wash. Get something creamy and sulfate-free that won’t strip your skin’s natural oils.
Try this Aveeno Body Wash with oat extract. It’s a budget-friendly pick and I love it so much!
After showering, lock in moisture immediately, while your skin is still damp.
Something fragrance-free like CeraVe moisturizing cream is perfect for soothing and repairing dry skin during fall and winter.
If you love a little luxury, do try this Brazilian Bum Bum Cream by Sol De Janeiro. It’s indulgent, but the glow on your body will be worth your bucks.
Some Extra Fall Skincare Tips
1. Introduce One New Product A Week
You might be very excited to refresh your skincare routine for fall, but it’d be a mistake to change all your products so fast.
Your skin needs time to adjust to new stuff.
If you switch out your cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and mask all in the same week, it can backfire fast. You might get irritation or breakouts, despite using the best products.
So please, introduce one new product at a time (ideally one per week) so you can track how your skin reacts.
This way, if something causes sensitivity, redness, or breakouts, you’ll know exactly what the culprit is.
Slow and steady will help you build a fall routine that your skin actually loves.
2. Sleep With a Humidifier
This is a very underrated skincare tip, and I never waste an opportunity to hand it out.
During fall and winter, it’s a smart girl move to keep a small humidifier by your bed.
It will add moisture to the air while you sleep, which means hydration and moisture for you skin!
You can also add essential oils that smell like fall season. Romanticizing every step of the way.
3. Don’t Forget To Drink Your Water
As temps drop, it’s easy to forget to drink water because you don’t sweat as much and don’t feel thirsty.
But bestie, your skin still needs internal hydration to stay plump and glowy.
If your body’s dehydrated, your skin will show it in the form of tightness, flakiness, and a dull tone.
Make it easier on yourself by keeping a reusable water bottle nearby, sipping herbal teas, and adding electrolyte packets to your water for an extra hydration boost.
Staying hydrated also helps your skincare products work better, since well-hydrated skin absorbs and holds onto moisture more effectively.
Alright, that was all on fall skincare from my end. Hope you found it helpful!
Do you have a ride-or-die product that saves your skin every fall? Or maybe a weird trick that actually works? Drop it in the comments before you leave!
