Your Ultimate Guide to Fall Skincare
As the temperature cools down and the air turns crisp, your skin starts to feel the change in the season too. For many people, this change leads to drier skin, more visible fine lines, or an uneven complexion.
And it's not in your head—your skin truly changes with the seasons.
Fall is a time of renewal, and it's the perfect season to refresh your skincare routine. After months of sun exposure, sweat, and humidity, your skin is ready for a little extra care.
At Sii Bello Beauty Bar, we love helping our clients look and feel their best. Two of our favorite treatments for this time of year are microneedling and chemical peels. When used together, the results are noticeably smoother, brighter, and refreshed skin.
But before we dive into why these treatments are so effective during the fall months, let's talk about what your skin really needs this time of year.
How Fall Weather Affects Your Skin
During the summer months, the temperature is warmer and humidity levels are higher. But as the temperature drops, we start relying on indoor heating, which decreases humidity and causes the air to become much drier.
When it comes to your skin, the dry air pulls more moisture from your skin which can weaken your skin barrier. This barrier is the outermost layer of your skin that's designed to protect the skin from irritants and keep the skin moisturized. When this barrier starts to weaken, you can experience:
Increased redness or sensitivity of the skin
Flaky, rough patches of skin
Dull, uneven skin tone
More noticeable fine lines
But here's the good news—with a few simple changes to your skincare routine, you can make all the difference. By giving your skin the support it needs, you can keep your skin healthy and prevent dryness before it starts.
How to Build Your Skincare Routine for Fall
Before we jump into advanced treatments, it's important to make sure your daily skincare routine supports and protects your skin from the dry fall air. Because the air changes so much in the fall, some cleansers and moisturizers that worked for you in the summer may not be enough for the fall and winter months.
So let's review some of the essentials.
1. Use a Gentle Skin Cleanser
Many facial cleaners remove natural oils from your skin, which weakens your skin's barrier and leaves your skin feeling tight and dry. In the fall, it's important to use a facial cleanser that strengthens the skin barrier to lock in moisture and doesn't dry out the skin.
Our Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a great option, as it's hydrating and free from harsh ingredients like sulfates. Plus, it repairs the skin barrier within just 24 hours of use, making it a great choice year round.
2. Moisturize Your Skin
Year round, you should be moisturizing your skin every morning and night. But in the fall, you may need to add some additional hydration.
Consider adding hydrating serums that contain hyaluronic acid or glycerin. One of my favorites is our Peptide Renewal Cream. In addition to rejuvenating aging skin, this cream contains proteins called human growth factors which improve skin hydration and elasticity.
And if you're looking for a moisturizer that will hydrate your skin without clogging your pores, check out our HydraBalance Moisturizer.
3. Gently Exfoliate
Exfoliation is essential for getting rid of dead skin cells and for keeping your complexion smooth. However, many exfoliants require a lot of scrubbing which is too harsh and often causes small tears and skin irritation in drier weather.
Instead, try a gentle chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or mandelic acid. Also it’s important to make sure you’re using the right exfoliating pad. My favorite is the Wipe the Day Away Cleansing Pads which are just amazing for gentle exfoliation. Make sure to grab yours at your next appointment.
I recommend limiting the frequency of exfoliation in the fall to once or twice a week. If you’re looking for a professional exfoliation treatment, our chemical peels are a great option.
4. Don't Skip Sunscreen
Even though the sun feels weaker in the fall, UV rays are still strong enough to cause damage to the skin. I recommend continuing to use sunscreen every day on the face and neck. This is especially important if you're getting professional skincare treatments like microneedling or chemical peels.
Professional Treatments for Fall Skincare
Now that you understand how to keep your skin hydrated and healthy in the fall, let's talk about some professional skincare treatments that are especially effective in the cooler months.
At Sii Bello Beauty Bar, we offer a variety of different skincare treatments, but the two that are best to do in the fall are microneedling and chemical peels. Fall is a great time for these treatments because UV levels are lower, which reduces the risk of skin irritation following treatment.
While both treatments work differently, they complement each other to improve skin tone, complexion, and fine lines.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally-invasive treatment that uses small, sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. These small injuries stimulate your body's natural healing response. This results in more collagen and elastin production, which are both needed for firm, youthful-looking skin.
Some of the benefits of microneedling include:
Smoother, more even skin texture
Fewer fine lines and wrinkles
Reduced pore size
Improved skin elasticity
Since fall brings cooler weather and less intense UV exposure, fall is one of the safest and most effective times to start microneedling sessions. The decreased sun exposure lowers the risk of post-treatment pigmentation and allows your skin to heal optimally.
We offer two different types of microneedling: Pixel 8 Radiofrequency and Rejuvapen. They’re both effective options, and I’ll help you decide which option is best for you at your consultation.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a type of exfoliating treatment that use mild, medical-grade acids to break down and remove dead skin cells. By doing this, healthy, youthful-looking skin is revealed.
Benefits of chemical peels include:
Improved sun spots and hyperpigmentation
Better skin tone
Reduced fine lines and acne scars
Because they remove dead skin cells, chemical peels also help skincare products better absorb.
There are also boosters that can be added into a chemical peel that address deeper skin issues like acne, hyperpigmentation, or aging skin. It’s important to note that before you have a chemical peel with a booster, you must have one peel without any boosters so that you can effectively prepare your skin..
Similarly to microneedling, fall is also a great time for chemical peels. A lower UV index means that your skin is less likely to have sun sensitivity following the treatment. For the best results, I generally recommend three peels. The time between peels depends on your skin type and what aspects of your skin we’re trying to improve.
The Benefit of Using Microneedling and Chemical Peels Together
While each treatment is effective on its own, combining microneedling and chemical peels produces even better results. This is because together, these treatments address multiple layers of the skin instead of just the surface. Here's how:
Chemical peels get rid of dead skin cells at the surface that contribute to poor complexion and fine lines.
Microneedling stimulates the body's healing process which then boosts collagen and elastin production deep in the skin.
When used together in a personalized plan, your skin will be smoother, firmer, and more youthful-appearing. The best results are typically seen when these treatments are alternated every 6-8 weeks, but this timeframe depends on any other treatments being done and your personal goals and skin type.
How to Care for Your Skin After Treatments
What you do after getting a microneedling treatment or chemical peel is just as important as the treatment itself. Here are some tips that I give to all of my clients:
Use a mild, hydrating cleanser like our Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Use a hydrating, fragrance-free moisturizer like our HydraBalance Moisturizer twice daily
Avoid retinoids, exfoliants like AHA and BHA, and other skin irritants for at least five days
Always apply sunscreen that's SPF 30 or higher to your face and neck when going outside (even when it's cloudy)
Avoid sun exposure for two weeks after a chemical peel
Stay hydrated and aim to drink at least 60-80 fluid ounces of water a day.
After a few days, you'll notice your skin transform and become smoother and brighter.
Other Ways to Support Your Skin Health This Fall
Your skin health isn't just influenced by the treatments you get and creams you use. It's also influenced by your lifestyle. Here are a few ways to support your skin health this fall.
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Even though you may not feel as thirsty in the cooler weather, you still need plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Aim for 60-80 fluid ounces of water a day. If you're not a big fan of plain ice water, try unsweetened sparkling water or water infused with fruit.
2. Eat for Your Skin
When it comes to skin health, eating plenty of antioxidant-rich and vitamin-packed foods is crucial. Fall foods like pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and squash are packed with vitamins A and C which both support collagen production and cell repair.
Here are some other foods that are great for skin health:
3. Use a Humidifier
Cool temperatures mean that the indoor heating gets turned on, which drastically lowers the humidity levels inside. This leaves your skin dry and more susceptible to damage. Adding a humidifier or two throughout your home can help improve humidity and prevent skin irritation.
There are also whole-home humidifier units that can be installed on your furnace that work well to evenly humidify your home.
4. Get Enough Rest
While you sleep, your body repairs itself, including the skin. You should aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. You can also consider using a silk pillowcase as they're more gentle on the skin and can help keep the skin from drying out as much overnight.
5. Schedule Consistent Treatments
Like with anything, consistency is key. Regular microneedling and chemical peel treatments throughout the fall and winter months will help you have long-term results and keep your skin healthy all year long.
Ready to Fall in Love With Your Skin Again?
Fall is the perfect time to give your skin the attention it deserves. Whether you want to treat summer sun damage, smooth fine lines, or simply make your skin look younger, Pamela Eaton NP, a board certified adult nurse practitioner and skincare expert, will help you get your best skin yet.
When you work with Pam, you'll get a personalized treatment plan that includes the right combination of microneedling, chemical peels, and at-home skincare to keep your skin healthy and radiant through the fall months and beyond.
Book your skincare consultation at the link below and discover how beautiful, healthy skin feels.
