Autumn is in full swing, and with it comes not only foliage in vivid hues but cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels. These seasonal changes, while welcome, also mean your skin can become drier and more prone to irritation. (It’s no coincidence that October is Eczema Awareness Month.)
This is why I like to make a few small tweaks to my routine every fall. They’re simple, easy changes that anyone (yourself included!) can adopt — from switching to swifter showers to avoiding dyes and perfumes and using a laundry detergent that effectively cleans my clothes and is still gentle on my skin.
Tip #1: Deep-clean and set up the humidifier
You always hear about deep-cleaning in the spring, but the same should go for this time of year. I break out my vacuum's many attachments, dust all the spaces I typically forget during the summertime, and tackle the hard-to-reach surfaces in my home. Once my deep-clean is complete and I’m confident potential allergens have been vanquished, I add a humidifier (also pre-cleaned) to my room to boost moisture levels in the air. This can help keep my eczema-prone skin soothed and hydrated.
Tip #2: Wash all my fall and winter clothes with all free clear
When I unpack my cooler-weather clothes after a long summer, they tend not to look or feel very fresh (even though they’re clean when I store them, I swear!). So I always rewash everything — especially my daily essentials — with all free clear liquid laundry detergent. I’ve been using all free clear for years now — it’s effective at getting my clothes clean, yet still gentle on my skin, since it’s 100% free of dyes and perfumes, and removes 99% of top everyday and seasonal allergens.* (It’s also the number-one-recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin and has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.) Once this step is behind me, I feel better and ready to take on the season.
Tip #3: Switch to shorter, lukewarm showers
Hot-shower lovers: Hear me out. I know how heavenly a long, steaming shower can be, but once you realize how tough it can be on your skin, changing your ways becomes a lot easier. Put simply, hot water strips your skin of its naturally protective oils. Especially when taken repeatedly, this can disrupt your skin barrier and lead to a host of issues, including dryness, redness and overall discomfort. To avoid this, I keep the water tepid, and I also keep my showers short and sweet — I’m talking eight minutes at most. This seemingly small change can make a big difference. Instead of my skin feeling tight, dry and inflamed when I step out of the shower, it feels soft and refreshed and stays hydrated longer.
Tip #4: Add a richer moisturizer to my skincare routine
In the summer, when humidity levels are high, I can usually get away with using a lightweight lotion and calling it a day. In fall and winter, though, not so much. So as soon as Fall hits, I swap out my summer lotion for a richer, creamier moisturizer that helps prevent water loss to keep my skin hydrated, soft and supple. I go for something ultra-nourishing but not greasy that contains soothing, antioxidant-rich ingredients. After showering, I slather it all over my body while my skin is still damp to lock in the moisture. Then I apply it again at night to rehydrate before bedtime.
Tip #5: Use a body oil to lock in hydration and prevent dryness
Last but not least, I love applying a luxe body oil to help seal in hydration (and the aforementioned moisturizer). This acts as another protective layer that prevents water loss so my skin doesn’t dry out. There are so many excellent formulas on the market that are deeply hydrating and loaded with skin-loving ingredients — plus, they feel sublime.
*Dog and cat dander, dust mite matter, ragweed pollen, grass/tree pollen. all free clear is not intended to prevent or treat allergies.
