Autumn is here, with its sudden weather changes (oh, having to carry a coat all day, sweating profusely, because you know you’ll desperately need it at the end of the day), and our skin takes a toll.
today I’m focusing on products that you can amp up during this time (despite some being year-round favourites), because darker days come in favour of more intense resurfacing skincare (you still have to use SPF, no cheating) and because your skin is going to need your help to boost the hydration levels under harsh air conditioning and brittle cold wind.
these are some of my favourites for this season:
Going back to resurfacing masks
. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask (Sephora, CultBeauty, Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic)
. REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask (Sephora, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Feelunique)
. Oskia Renaissance Mask (Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic)
Resurfacing/exfoliating skincare — a treatment you can customise to your needs, great almost immediate results
. Alpha H Liquid Gold (Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic — there are several sizes and packs, so check the websites)
. Liquid Gold Rose (Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic) — better for more sensitive skins.
Amping up the retinoids in the evening — don’t forget your SPF, even on bleak days
. Sunday Riley Luna (Cult Beauty, Sephora)
. Alpha H Beauty Sleep Power Peel (Beauty bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic)
. The Ordinary Retinol/retinoids — I get mine from Victoria Health. You’ll see there’s a selection of Retinoids (2% and 5% in different suspensions) and Retinol (from 0.2% to 1%).
If you’re new to the Vitamin A world, always start with the weakest Retinoid and use it about twice a week. From then on, you can gradually build the frequency. When your skin is adjusted to it, you can get a stronger one (starting again from 2 times a week). You’ll be building the your skin’s resistance to the active ingredient, and then you can graduate to a Retinol, always starting from the weakest and the lower frequency of application.
You can always sort of dilute the product (if you’re getting any dryness from it) in a bit of hyaluronic acid, or by applying an oil or moisturiser on top.
Hydration — all year round, but even more essential right now
. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid (for less demanding skins) and Buffet (an affordable cocktail of goodness) — again, I get mine from Victoria Health
. If you work/live in a very dry environment, keep a hydrating mist at hand, like the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist (despite not having it available at the moment, Look Fantastic also carries this brand)
Improving nourishment — I use facial oils all year, but they are especially satisfying to wear when the nippy weather bites our faces.
. The Ordinary Oils (I’ve heard great things about the Marula and the Squalane, and Rosehip is a classic, many brands make this)
. Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
. Kypris Beauty Elixir I 1000 roses
Moisturising — Seal it all in
Dr. Jart Ceramidin line is a Sephora Exclusive — Liquid, Cream, Gel Cream, Lip Balm (I can’t really find it anywhere)
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (Look Fantastic, Feelunique, Sephora — LF and Feelunique only have two sizes, a small tube and the tub, Sephora carries the big tube I mentioned).
the freevolous 