4 Ways to Prepare Your Skin for Fall

As the vibrant days of summer give way to the cooler, crisper air of Fall, your skin’s needs start to shift. The change in seasons brings with it new challenges for your skin, making it the perfect time to update your skincare routine. Here are four compelling reasons to prepare your skin for fall:

1. Combatting Dryness

Fall's cooler temperatures and lower humidity can lead to dry, flaky skin. The moisture-rich summer air is replaced with drier conditions, making it essential to switch to a more hydrating skincare routine. Incorporating heavier moisturizers like our Marigold Mango Butter and hydrating serums like the Vita-Me, can help maintain your skin's moisture barrier, preventing the tight, uncomfortable feeling that often comes with the change in weather. 

2. Repairing Summer Damage

Even if you’ve been diligent with your sunscreen, the summer sun can leave behind some damage. Hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and sunspots may have developed over the summer months. Fall is the ideal time to incorporate treatments like exfoliating acids, retinoids, or vitamin C serums into your routine to help repair this damage and rejuvenate your skin. Also, it’s chemical peel season! Book an appointment with your local esthetician to get your skin back on track.

3. Adapting to Indoor Heating

As temperatures drop, we start relying on indoor heating, which can be harsh on the skin. Heated indoor environments can strip your skin of its natural moisture, leading to increased dryness and sensitivity. By preparing your skin with nourishing creams, protective balms, and hydrating masks, you can minimize the impact of these drying indoor conditions.

4. Preventing Seasonal Breakouts

The transition from summer to fall can disrupt your skin’s balance, potentially leading to breakouts. As you switch from lighter products to heavier ones, your pores might become clogged if your skincare routine isn't adjusted properly. Incorporating gentle exfoliation and balancing toners can help keep your skin clear and prevent the seasonal breakouts that often accompany this time of year.

Transitioning your skincare routine for fall isn’t just about keeping your skin looking good—it’s about maintaining its health through seasonal changes. By taking these steps now, you can ensure your skin stays hydrated, balanced, and resilient all season long. So, as you pull out your cozy sweaters and sip on pumpkin spice lattes, don’t forget to give your skin the attention it needs to thrive this fall.

How to Figure Out Your Skin Type

Some of us may observe that despite staying consistent with our skincare routines, our skin just doesn't care. That annoying skin concern you spent $$$$$ to treat has gone nowhere. At this point, we become frustrated and tired.

If this sounds like you, all hope is not yet lost. We can help you trace what's wrong. From experience, we've realized that many skin issues happen because we simply do not know our skin type and how to care for it.

If you know the type of skin you're born with, you're halfway on your journey to achieving your complexion goals.

Below are the major skin types and how to identify them.

• Normal skin

• Sensitive skin

• Oily skin

• Combination skin

• Dry skin

• Acne-prone skin

• Mature skin

Normal Skin

You have a normal skin if you notice:

• Your skin rarely develops breakouts. 

• Your pores are not visible.

• Your skin is supple, firm, and shows minimal signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and sagginess.

• Your skin does not develop terrible reactions when you try new products.

• Your skin is neither oily or dry.

• Your skin does not have flakiness, itchiness, or patches

Oily Skin

Your skin is oily if;

• It always appears shiny.

• You use mattifying makeup and blotting papers to achieve a flawless look.

• Your makeup gets sticky and out of place after a few hours.

• You develop acne occasionally.

• You have blemishes.

• Your skin is thick.

• You have enlarged pores. 

Dry/Dehydrated Skin

You have dry skin if you observe the following:

• Dryness, itchiness, flakiness, tightness, redness, and cracks.

• Skin concerns such as eczema and  dermatitis.

• Your makeup doesn't sit properly on your skin unless it contains super hydrating ingredients.

• Your skin feels like paper and quite rough.

• Your skin appears dull.

• Loss of elasticity.

Sensitive Skin

You have sensitive skin if you notice these signs;

• Your skin develops rashes, acne, and bumps quickly.

• Your skin flushes and turns red easily.

• Your skin stings or burns when you try out a new product.

• Your skin reacts badly to a product containing fragrance or allergens.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is quite difficult to identify because it is made of more than one skin type - mostly a mix of dry and oily skin.

Here's how to tell if you have combination skin.

• Oiliness in some parts of your face, especially your T-zone.

• Dryness in other areas of your face.

• Your pores are enlarged and more visible. 

Acne-Prone Skin

Your skin is acne-prone if your skin develops acne frequently. If you're battling acne that is stubborn, it might also indicate that your skin is acne-prone. 

Here's how to tell:

• Appearance of blackheads, whiteheads, pustules.

• Clogged pores

• Oily skin

• Dry skin

Mature Skin

Aging is a normal aspect of life but if your skin has developed numerous signs of aging, it is an indicator that your skin is mature.

These are some common indicators of a mature skin type:

• Wrinkles

• Fine lines

• Crepey skin

• Loss of elasticity

• Sun spots

• Dullness and uneven skin tone.

• Dehydration and dryness.

What product is suitable for these skin types?

We understand that each of our clients fall into one of the categories of skin types above. And to ensure that we meet the skincare needs of everyone, we carefully created our skin care line to be friendly to all skin types.

Whether your skin is dry, dehydrated, oily or combination, you can conveniently use the Polk Apothecary product range without any worries. Our range comprises:

• Turmeric Rose Face and Body Bar with Turmeric, Rose clay, goat’s milk, and oatmeal for mild cleansing.

• Give Me Suga Turmeric Scrub or Honey & Oats Coconut Sugar Scrub for gentle  exfoliation and brightening dark marks.

• Perfection Toner for toning and refreshing the skin.

• Marigold Mango Butter for moisturizing and intense hydration.

Other products we suggest are our Soothe & Brightening clay mask to help pick up dirt and unclog pores. The Milk & Honey cleanser is great for dry and sensitive skin to help moisturize and not dry out the skin even more, leaving it inflamed or irritated. With a healthy skincare routine that is dedicated to YOUR skin type, it can change over time to become more normal. Oily skin can become more normal when oils are applied to the skin, instead of it over-producing sebum (oil) itself. A dedicated Dry skincare routine, can get dry skin on the normal spectrum by using heavy oils and butters that keep the skin moisturized longer. Please keep in mind that your environment, stress level, daily activity, water intake, and skincare products play huge parts in appearance of your skin, so be good to it!

XOXO,

Morgan Polk