Autumn skincare

Well we were certainly blessed with some amazing weather this summer! With a lot of us out in the summer sun more than we would have anticipated this year, chances are our skin has endured its fair share of UV exposure and is crying out for some TLC! 

I’m always ready for a change in season. The change in the air, cooler crisp evenings, pulling on a pair of boots and warmer clothes. Although what on earth happens to our skin?

Suddenly without warning we feel the need for more hydration, seasonal breakouts are for real and skin looks dull, uneven and lacklustre. A few tweaks to your skincare routine and the introduction of some specialist treatments will maximise results. 

My top autumn skincare tips will help the transition from summer skin to autumn skin. Help repair damage caused by summer sun and see your skin smooth into autumn calmly. 

First things first, check new moles. 

It’s a good idea to give your skin a check over. Sun damage can happen all year round but is more prevalent during summer months. When checking moles they should appear symmetrical as most melanomas are more likely to be uneven. Normal moles are usually just one shade of brown. If they are an irregular shape, there are different colours within the mole, you experience itching, bleeding or a change in shape or diameter it is important to ask your GP to check anything that looks different or unusual. Ask a family member to check areas that are hard to see, such as your back, and monitor them by taking photos. Remember your sunscreen all year round of at least an SPF30. 

Check your skincare. 

As the weather turns cooler our normal skin shedding process slows down, therefore your skin is more likely to become dull, dry and dehydrated. Without regular exfoliation dead skin cells can build up on the skin’s surface leading to blocked pores. Using an exfoliator will help to eliminate dead skin cells and promote skin renewal. This will leave your skin brighter, smoother and allows your other skincare products to work more effectively. 

Changing your cleanser to a more hydrating one or a cream cleanser will make your skin feel more comfortable and hydrated.  Look for ingredients such as Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) which helps skin hydrate and retain moisture and Vitamin E to give skin a surge of moisture. 

Are you using Vitamin C?

Antioxidant, Vitamin C neutralises skin damaging free radicals and protects against UV damage. It inhibits melanin production in the skin which helps to lighten hyperpigmentation, sunspots and evens out skin tone. It is also essential for collagen production, which gives skin its youthful and plump appearance. 

Think about treatments. 

Autumn is a great time to invest in your skin by having specialist treatments such as chemical peels or microneedling.  

Chemical peels cause intentional damage to the epidermis and/or dermis with the goal of stimulating new tissue to improve skin texture and tone. 

Chemical peels improve skin texture and firmness, decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. Peels also address uneven skin tone, dullness, hyperpigmentation and also improve acne-prone skin and reduce pore size appearance. 

Microneedling. 

This works well for the treatment of lines, wrinkles, acne scars and pigmentation. Skin ageing causes a decline in the production of collagen, leading to lines, wrinkles and a dull looking complexion. Microneedling is clinically proven to increase collagen and elastin in the skin. It works by creating controlled micro-wounds to the skin with tiny sterile needles. The body begins to break down damaged tissue and produce healthy new cells. These cells repair and remodel the injured tissue, producing new organised mature collagen giving us healthy looking, smoother, firmer skin. It’s relatively pain free and I’ve seen some fantastic results in clinic from these treatments. 

Award winning medical grade skincare brand AlumierMD, Peels and SkinPen Microneedling treatments are available at LK Cosmetics Clinic. Contact Laura to book a consultation and start your new skincare journey.