6 Ways To Level-Up Your Autumn Skin Care Routine

Just like your wardrobe, it’s important to change your skin care with the seasons. You’ve no doubt got your summer and winter skin care routines down pat, but autumn skin care is often forgotten about.

So we’re here to remind you to level-up your skin care regimen to give your complexion the chance to be its best, most glowing self. Behold, your go-to autumn skin care guide to deliver your most luminous complexion yet.

1/ Focus on skin barrier repair

Reinforcing the skin’s moisture barrier should be a key focus in autumn. After all, your skin barrier is the foundation of a healthy complexion, and a healthy barrier means plumper skin, less breakouts and hydrated skin.

“It’s our first line of defence against pollution, free radicals, skin irritants and harmful bacteria,” says MECCA’s Skincare Education Lead, Erin Gorman. “It is especially important to build and strengthen your skin barrier in the autumn months because winter has the potential to wreak havoc on our skin. Prevention is key to maintaining healthy, radiant and supple skin instead of playing catch up with dull and dry skin.”

Swap out foaming cleansers for a gentle cleansing balm, avoid overusing harsh ingredients like AHAs and add repairing ingredients such as colloidal oat to your daily regimen.

Try: La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ ($35.99 from Chemist Warehouse), Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Sheet Mask ($16 from MECCA), or Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Nourishing ($36 from Priceline)

2/ Look for skin-loving ingredients

Knowing your ‘skin-gredients’ is so important when it comes to tailoring your autumn skin care routine. As this season’s main focus is strengthening your skin barrier, your ingredient BFFs will be pre, pro and post-biotics in your skin care.

Erin also recommends looking for fermented ingredients, ceramides, niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid, oils and other natural moisturising factors (NMF) and essential fatty acids in your go-to skin care products.

Try: The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum ($25 from Sephora), Glow Culture Dewy Drencher Light Gel-Cream ($44.99 from Chemist Warehouse), or SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule ($19.92 from YesStyle)

3/ Add lip care to your nightly regimen

Don’t save all the nourishment for your complexion. The cooler weather can lead to dry, chapped lips, so your lips need a little TLC, too! Adding an overnight lip mask (or a heaping slathering of your favourite ultra-rich, hard-working lip balm) to your night time skin care routine will ensure you wake up with a plump, hydrated pout every morning.

Be sure to carry a nourishing lip balm to reapply throughout the day. And if you want to ensure your favourite autumn lipstick stays in place all day with no flaking in sight, use a lip scrub a few times each week to whisk away any dry spots before applying your lippy.

Try: Dermal Therapy Overnight Lip Repair ($10.99 from Chemist Warehouse), Kit Kissing Balm ($22 from MECCA), or Lanolips Lip Scrub Strawberry ($14.95 from Adore Beauty)

4/ Don’t skip SPF

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean it’s time to put the sunscreen away. “SPF is still a priority in autumn and winter and anytime you use retinoids and exfoliants,” says Erin. “UVB may be less intense in autumn and winter, but it is still present, and UVA is present anytime the sun is out.”

And no, the SPF in your moisturiser or foundation isn’t enough to keep you protected. Instead, opt for a lightweight SPF of at least 30+ to apply under your makeup. However, sunscreen is only one component of sun protection, prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided, and frequent use and reapplication of sunscreen is required for effective protection.

Try: Cancer Council SPF50+ Hydration Boost ($18.47 from Chemist Warehouse), Bondi Sands Sunny Daze SPF 50+ Hydrating Drops ($24.99 from Priceline), or Coco & Eve Daily Watergel SPF50 ($35.10 from Oz Hair & Beauty)

5/ Exfoliate weekly

New to exfoliants or struggling with sensitive skin? According to Erin, autumn is the perfect time to introduce actives such as retinoids and acids into your skin care routine. That’s because UV rays, whilst still damaging to your skin, become less intense as we get into autumn so your chance of post-retinol irritation and sun damage is a little lower.

“Autumn is the perfect time because your skin can adapt to the changes and start building resilience to be winter-ready,” Erin says. “If you have never used a retinoid before, it is best to introduce it slowly and avoid the possible side effects of flaking and sensitivity.”

Try: A313 Retinol Pommade ($31.58 from Amazon Australia), The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner ($20.50 from Priceline), or Daily Skincare Cellular Resurfacing Exfoliator ($27.99 from Priceline)

6/ Oils will be your BFF

No matter what your skin type, facial oils will be a beneficial addition to your autumn skin care routine. And yes that includes oily skin! Face oils come with so many benefits from brightening to reducing pigmentation, boosting your hydration and balancing your skin.

“To help your skin out you may want to swap a few products around, for example swapping your cleanser to an oil or a balm and avoid using over-stimulating ingredients. We want to nourish and hydrate our skin as much as we can and lock it in with an oil or overnight mask,” Erin explains.

If your skin does tend to be on the oily side, opt for a non-comedogenic dry oil. That way your skin gets boosted with all that extra nourishment, without feeling greasy or clogging your pores.

Try: Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil ($23.69 from Chemist Warehouse), BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil ($32 from Sephora), or Go-To Skincare Face Hero ($45 from Go-To Skincare)

Main image: @owengould

What does your autumn skin care routine look like?