Ingredients to add to your routine

I love seasonality in the fall: as soon as October rolls around, pumpkin decor is everywhere in my apartment; I’m swapping my light pink lip colors for more browns and reds, and – yes – I’m consuming copious amounts of the pumpkin spice stuff. However, that seasonal shift also applies to my fall hair care And skin care routines.

For most of us, cooler weather means drier and sometimes duller skin, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Keeping up with your daily skin care routine can help keep your face looking and feeling its best, even when it’s cold and dry outside. But you may be wondering: which skincare ingredients exactly can help you achieve this goal? Here we talked about board certified dermatologists, Miriam HansonMD, Hope MitchellM.D., and Christina ChungMD, on the skincare ingredients you’ll be prioritizing for the cooler weather on the horizon (if you’re not already). Plus, they share tips on when, how, and who can benefit most them, forward.

What ingredients should I include in my fall skincare routine?

“As the seasons turn to fall and winter, it’s important to adapt your skincare routine to accommodate your skin’s changing needs and the increased dryness and sensitivity that comes with the season,” says Dr. Mitchell. To do this, there are a few standout ingredients you can incorporate into your routine as the weather turns colder hyaluronic acid, vitamin Cceramides, niacinamideAnd retinol. Each of these ingredients works to deeply hydrate, nourish, and brighten the skin, and they can all fit into different parts of your routine depending on your skin type and concerns. According to dermatologists, each ingredient can be used morning or evening and several times a week, depending on your skin’s tolerance. Here’s an overview of when to use them and how:

Hyaluronic acid

“Hyaluronic acid’s superpower is water retention, which you need on crisp, colder days,” says Dr. Chung. Not only does it make the skin look and feel plumper, but it also deeply hydrates and provides a beautiful glow. Dr. Mitchell recommends starting your morning by applying hyaluronic acid to clean, damp skin to lock in moisture and keep your face hydrated all day. You can opt for a hyaluronic acid serum for this step, such as the Farmacy filling good hyaluronic acid filling serum ($49), or the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure hyaluronic acid serum ($40).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another highly recommended ingredient, according to experts. “Vitamin C brightens the skin and protects against environmental stressorswhich ones are present in the colder months,” says Dr. Mitchell. After you cleanse and apply your hyaluronic acid serum, she recommends layering vitamin C over it. We love the Ole Henriksen Truth Moisturizing Vitamin C Serum ($56), with a lightweight, moisturizing finish, or the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($182), a more powerful option with 15 percent L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E and ferulic acid to brighten skin and protect against free radicals.

Niacinamide

Dr. Chung describes niacinamide as a workhorse: it has an anti-inflammatory effect, contains antioxidants and helps to even out discolouration. Dr. Mitchell recommends applying niacinamide after your vitamin C serum to help address redness or hyperpigmentation. Choose a serum like The regular niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% oil control serum ($6), which contains zinc to help control excess oil production. We also like the Byoma Niacinamide Brightening serum ($16), which is laced with niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to brighten and hydrate (and it doesn’t feel sticky or tacky).

Retinol

Finally, dermatologists suggest incorporating retinol into your routine this fall, thanks to its ability to promote cell turnover and keep your skin fresh and rejuvenated. “At night, after cleansing, incorporate retinol into your routine. Because it can be drying, follow it with a moisturizer rich in ceramides,” says Dr. Mitchell. We love the Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Serum For this ($48), because it also contains glycerin and ectoine, which can make your face feel more numbed when it’s thirsty. We also like the Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum ($20), which uses bakuchiola gentler retinol alternative with exfoliating benefits.

Ceramides

Dr. Hanson says that if you’re looking for new skin care this season, you should prioritize looking for products with ceramideswhich work to strengthen the skin barrier. You can change up your morning and evening routine with a ceramide moisturizer to keep skin bouncy and plump (instead of dry and papery). Use the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream ($60) or the CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion ($14) as the second to last or last step in your morning and evening skin care routine (remember: SPF should always be your last step in the morning, all year round).

What skin types should include these ingredients in a fall skincare routine?

Of course you have to keep it your Consider your specific skin type and concerns before adjusting and adapting your skin care routine with new ingredients. However, dermatologists agree that most of these ingredients, especially hyaluronic acid, ceramides and vitamin C, are suitable for most skin types. “Retinol is ideal for normal to oily and combination skin types with issues like acne, but should are used be careful if you have dry or sensitive skin,” says Dr. Mitchell.

Start with a low dose of retinol once a week and gradually incorporate it into your routine up to three times a week once your skin tolerance builds up the ingredient. Dry and sensitive skin types should opt for retinol serums That Are muffled with soothing ingredients like these InnBeauty Project Retinol Remix ($48), formulated with chamomile to soothe redness and irritation.

Niacinamide is generally well tolerated by most skin types, but it is useful if you are trying to fade discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Hanson says niacinamide can also be beneficial for people with rosacea and offers a pro tip: “Add niacinamide to your sunscreen or moisturizer to help reduce redness,” she says.

What not to mix with these ingredients

Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and ceramides usually work well with other skin care ingredients. Still, the experts warn you to keep going carefully when you incorporate niacinamide and retinol into your routine. “You should not mix niacinamide with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) because these acids can lower the pH of niacinamide and cause reduced efficacy and irritation,” says Dr. Hanson.

In the same way, retinol should not be used with exfoliating acids, and instead the dermatologists recommend using it on alternate days to avoid over-exfoliation. “Use retinol and vitamin C separately,” says Dr. Mitchell. She recommends using retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning, because combining them can be too harsh on sensitive skin.

Tips for transitioning your skin care to colder weather

In addition to incorporating these skincare ingredients when the weather turns cold, dermatologists recommend switching to a gentle cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of natural oils. We love the Tower 28 SOS Gentle moisturizing gel cleanser ($20) for the face. It has been formulated with aloe vera, glycerin and oat extract, that’s how it is super soft and moisturizing.

Experts also recommend considering a humidifier (the Canopy bedside humidifier ($110 is an editor’s favorite) and use it in your bedroom every night to keep moisture in the air so your skin doesn’t dry out while you sleep. Of course, finish your routines daily with a broad-spectrum SPF to protect the skin (we’ll say it louder for those in the back: yes, you should still apply sunscreen year-round, even when it’s cold!).

Last takeaway

If you have a solid skincare routine that you’re happy with, you don’t have to throw everything away and start all over in the name of a new season. But if your skin (like mine) is known to become drier and duller as the weather gets colder, you can make a few intentional adjustments this fall and winter to keep your skin feeling its best.

Depending on your concerns, prioritizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, ceramides, and retinol can help you beat dullness while keeping your face plump and dewy. If you get dry, it may be helpful to place a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist so it doesn’t suck moisture from your skin. And whatever you do – don’t skip sunscreen (at least SPF 30) – because hey, you still need to protect your skin from UV rays even when it’s cold outside.