Anyone else feel like they’ve been trapped in a post-summer skincare nightmare? We’re talking about the dreaded ‘yeast problem’ that seems to be plaguing our skin more and more as we grow older. We’re not complaining though, because who doesn’t want to experience these scruffy, breakout-prone summer days year after year with only minimal reprieve? The answer is everyone! Hence, the need for an updated skincare routine for fall. In a word: Consistency. Varying your routine every other day does not allow your skin time to adjust and acclimate itself to the new products being introduced so that they can effectively expel dirt, oil, and impurities from your pores. Instead, a daily skincreeace will keep your skin guessing as to what new ingredients or routines you have coming. And when you do introduce something new, it should only be done once per week for optimal results (our current favorite routine can be found at the bottom of this post!).
## Morning Routine
Who says you need to wash your face in the morning? In fact, it’s best if you don’t. You don’t want to clean your face before bed when it’s still slightly damp from your nightly routine because it can disrupt the skin’s natural balance, clogging your pores and causing the dreaded ‘pimples-and-blackheads’ cycle. Instead, let your skin breathe and gently cleanse it with a gentle cleanser (we like Philosophy’s Microdelivery Cleanser). In addition to reducing the risks of clogged pores, you can use your cleanser to remove any residual makeup you may have put on before bed.
## Evening Routine
Now, this is when you cleanse your skin! We’re serious. We’re not even going to try to sugarcoat the fact that you should be washing your face at night. We promise it’s better for your skin and you won’t wake up with puffy, irritated eyes. Additionally, washing your face at night will reduce the chances of breakouts, keep your skin glowing, and remove any dirt and excess oil that build up in your pores during the day. We like to use a gentle cleanser (e.g. Philosophy’s Microdelivery Cleanser, Drunk Elephant Marula Salve, or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser) with a grainy texture to help slough off any dirt and leftover impurities from your face.
## Weekly Cleanser
If you’re washing your face twice a day, it’s not unreasonable to switch out your cleanser for a weekly cleanser that has a higher concentration of salicylic acid (e.g. Dr. Brandt Glycolic Night Pads with Glycolic Acid) to help exfoliate any dead skin cells that may have accumulated on your skin during the week. You can also use a weekly cleanser with glycolic acid to reduce the visibility of acne scars and blemishes.
Glycolic acid is a powerful exfoliant that can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and even out your complexion. It also has the ability to remove any excess oil your skin has produced throughout the week.
## Spot Treatment
We don’t have pimples or blackheads, but we know you do. And we’ve seen that many of you are turning to spot treatments (e.g. Murad’s Rapid Spot Targeted Treatment) to help reduce the visibility of acne and oily spots. We recommend using a spot treatment before bed because it’s been proven that your skin is more receptive to exfoliating ingredients when it’s asleep.
## Blemish Treatment
Can’t get rid of your pimples? Try benzoyl peroxide (e.g. Bioderma’s Solution Sensitive). While we don’t recommend using benzoyl peroxide as a daily skincare staple because it has the potential to bleach your skin, it’s a great option if you have a pimple or two that just won’t go away.
## Sheet Mask Routine
Yes, you should be using sheet masks on a regular basis. They are the cheapest and most effective way to hydrate your skin. We like to use them at night when your skin is already slightly damp from the cleanser and heated from the pillow. The skin is slightly damp and less threatening than a dry face.
## Final Word
In the end, the most important thing to remember is that skincare is a process. Don’t expect overnight changes, but do expect your skin to slowly improve if you keep applying the same products. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: it takes at least 8 weeks for your skin to adjust to a new skincare routine. So, don’t be discouraged if you’re noticing a slight change in your skin’s texture, but it’s not exactly the dramatic transformation you were hoping for. Your skin will adjust and you’ll be one step closer to #glowcation!
