Make Sure Your Skincare Routine Includes These 4 Steps if You Want to Avoid Dry, Dull Skin This Fall

Most of us make a few beauty changes when the weather shifts. Dark, moody fall nails instead of your bright summer manicures; warm fall perfumes instead of the citrusy, summery ones you wore a few months ago—but arguably, the most important fall swaps you should be making are in your skincare routine.Lower temperatures can potentially lead to moisture loss, making your skin appear more dull and dry. And at worst, it can actually cause skin barrier damage that could result in irritation and inflammation. I dealt with this virtually every fall and winter for years. Just as I was cozying myself up with wool sweaters and blankets, my skin was screaming for help. At the same time, fall is an opening for the resurfacing treatments that potentially were too harsh for the summer sun. All those dark spots and acne scars you noticed at the end of summer? Fall’s officially the moment to tackle ‘em.It doesn’t have to be a whole new routine. Just changing a few things around and adding maybe one or two steps into your regimen will do the trick. Need some ideas? Here’s what I’m changing in my own routine now that the weather’s changed:1. Bring exfoliants and retinol back Alpha-hydroxy acids, like lactic acid and glycolic acid, and retinoids can potentially make your skin more susceptible to sun damage, hence why many people stray away in the summertime. But when fall hits, and we’re in the sun less, it’s the perfect time to shed off a layer of skin.AHAs work by chemically sloughing away dead skin, whereas retinoids increase cell turnover to churn out brighter, fresher skin more quickly. They’re different, but both have a place in your skincare routine. If you’re sensitive, start with a gentle AHA, like mandelic acid, which won’t go as deep as glycolic or lactic but can still help smooth your skin. Retinol also should be a slow burn. Incorporate it for only one night a week at first, then slowly increase as your skin builds up tolerance.I abide by the skin cycling approach. I’ll do retinol one night, then take a break, then exfoliate with an AHA-based peel pad, then take another break, then start over.2. Swap to a rich moisturizer And if you’re using exfoliants and retinoids again, you should probably up your moisturizer game. All those gel creams and lightweight moisturizers don’t hold a candle to a rich night cream after a day in the chilly autumn air. Your skin also loses more water in the fall, so it naturally needs more moisture to replenish it.My skin is combination, so I opt for my usual lightweight moisturizer (or just SPF sometimes) in the morning, but at night, I go full throttle. I want to slather my face in the thickest creams and emollients before I hit the pillow. Usually, this means both a thick moisturizer and a barrier cream to lock in that hydration.3. Try an essenceAdding in layers of moisture is key to keeping your skin supple, even as the temps go down. If you still feel like you need more, incorporate an essence between your cleanser and serum. Think of it like a hydrating toner. It’s got a thin, watery consistency that layers well with whatever you put on top, whether that’s a hyaluronic acid serum or even a retinoid.4. Reconsider your cleanser My skin loved foaming and gel cleansers all summer when my face was coated with sweat. But now that my skin is a little bit drier, my cleanser needs to also impart some moisture too. In the evenings, I’ve switched to a creamy formula that won’t strip my skin. It still gets rid of dirt and grime, of course, but it also contains hydrating ingredients that help offset any potential dryness. If you’re dry, you can totally do this in the morning too, but I tend to skip a morning cleanse (aside from maybe a swipe of micellar water), especially in the fall and winter.Why trust Cosmopolitan? Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing skin, hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.