Your autumn skin reset starts with these 3 expert-approved steps

There’s something about September that makes us want to reset everything. The wardrobe gets reshuffled, the diary suddenly looks frighteningly full and, after months of heatwaves, holidays and SPF-heavy days, attention inevitably turns to our skin.Because summer can leave behind more than a tan. Dehydration, congestion, pigmentation and a slightly frazzled skin barrier are all common souvenirs – just as cooler mornings, central heating and drier air arrive to create a whole new set of problems.But before you panic-buy an entirely new skincare routine, stop. According to the experts, the best autumn reset is actually surprisingly simple.From resisting the urge to exfoliate your summer away to the one warm-weather habit you absolutely shouldn't abandon, here's what London skin experts want us to do now.Rebuild your skin barrierFirst things first: hydration.“The one change I’d make is to add more hydration to your routine and ensure you’re supporting your skin barrier,” says dermatologist and Korean skincare specialist Dr Christine Hall. “As the weather changes, we go from warm, humid weather, where we naturally make more sebum and oil, to colder weather and central heating indoors, all of which will increase moisture loss from the skin.”PexelsIf your face suddenly feels tight, looks dull or previously reliable products start to sting, your skin barrier could be telling you it needs some attention.Hall, who is based at London’s Taktouk clinic, believes this is where we could learn something from K-beauty. “There’s much more of a focus on maintaining healthy skin every day, rather than waiting until it becomes dry or irritated and then trying to fix it.”Look for hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan, alongside ceramides and panthenol to support the barrier. Rather than immediately switching to the richest cream available, Hall also recommends layering lighter products – think toner or essence, serum and then moisturiser as needed.Luke Bajjon, FACEGYM Global Education Manager, recommends adding niacinamide into the mix. “It’s an all-rounder ingredient that helps strengthen the skin barrier and lock in hydration, while also helping to improve the appearance of post-summer pigmentation and minimise the look of pores.”For those wanting to go beyond topical skincare, Hall says autumn can also be a good time to consider an injectable skin booster. She uses Teoxane Redensity 1, which contains hyaluronic acid alongside amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and vitamin B6. “If someone comes to me after summer saying their skin looks tired, dull or dehydrated, that's the sort of treatment I’d consider,” she says.As with any injectable, suitability should always be assessed by an appropriately qualified practitioner.Don't try to exfoliate summer awaySeptember can inspire the skincare equivalent of a January detox: pigmentation has appeared, your pores look clogged and suddenly every acid and exfoliator in the bathroom cabinet is being deployed at once. The experts would rather you didn't.Read More“The biggest mistake is trying to correct everything too quickly,” says Hall. UV exposure, heat and dehydration can stress the skin barrier, meaning products you normally tolerate can suddenly cause irritation. Her advice is to “take a bit of a step back”.“Get the skin hydrated, support the barrier and then introduce your actives gradually,” she says. “You don't need to scrub or peel away everything that happened over the summer.”UnsplashThat doesn't mean ignoring congestion. Bajjon points out that “heat, humidity and increased sweat and oil production can lead to clogged pores, congestion, breakouts and a dull, uneven complexion”.For a professional end-of-summer reset, he recommends FACEGYM's Intense Cleanse, which he describes rather satisfyingly as “a jet wash for your face” designed to deeply decongest pores.The distinction is important: congested skin may benefit from a deep cleanse, but if yours feels tight, irritated or sensitive, concentrate on calming and rebuilding the barrier before reaching for stronger exfoliation.Keep wearing SPF – yes, even in LondonThe sandals may be heading into storage, but there is one part of your summer routine that isn't allowed to hibernate: SPF.Bajjon calls abandoning sunscreen as soon as September arrives “the SPF drop-off”. “Many people pack away their SPF as soon as summer ends, but sun protection should be a year-round essential,” he says.While UVB rays – those most associated with sunburn – are generally weaker during winter, UVA rays remain present throughout the year and can penetrate cloud and windows, contributing to premature skin ageing.It's particularly relevant if you're trying to tackle the pigmentation summer has left behind. Hall explains that sun-induced hyperpigmentation involves activated pigment-producing cells, meaning protecting skin from further UV exposure remains important even after your holiday tan has disappeared.“We tend to think of SPF as a summer product, but UV exposure is there all year round,” she says. So, despite an industry seemingly determined to convince us that every new season requires a new shelf of products, your autumn reset can be boiled down rather neatly.“Hydration, barrier support and SPF,” says Hall. “The three key steps.”