As we begin to transition into fall and cooler weather, it is essential to recognize your skin’s reactions to the temperature changes. Knowing and understanding your skin will help you properly take care of it during seasonal shifts. Extreme weather changes, both hot and cold, may irritate your skin, create new concerns, or worsen existing skin conditions. Whether you have concerns about skin changes or are searching for acne treatments for teen skin, we’re sharing best practices and advice from leading dermatologists to keep your skin looking its best. Let’s take a look at:
- What you can expect from the fall weather change
- How to prepare and maintain your skin
- Best skincare practices by skin type
- Best tips and acne treatments for teens
The Effects of Fall Weather on your Skin
During the summer, the extra humidity often helps trap moisture within the skin, creating a protective barrier. However, once the colder months begin, the air gets drier outside and inside the home due to heaters. Dry air deprives the skin of the moisture t was accustomed to in warmer weather. Even long, hot showers are wreaking havoc on your skin’s condition. When your skin begins to lose moisture, it disrupts the barrier, increasing dryness, sensitivity, and irritation. The surface of your skin might then suffer from cracking and inflammation.
Time to Change Your Skincare Routine
Recognizing the signs of the seasonal transition will give you time to prepare for your fall skincare routine. Here’s a great rule of thumb dermatologists love to share: if you’re starting to layer your clothing, that’s a good sign your skin is ready to begin its cold weather transition, too. If it's cool enough to see your breath outside, you should definitely be in full fall skincare regimen mode. Regardless of these little signs, listening to your skin is ultimately the best practice.
Your skin type will also play an essential role in sending out warning signs. For instance, if you are in the sensitive skin type category or suffer from extremely dry skin type, your skin will be screaming for adjustments to its face wash and moisturizing routine sooner than later. These two skin types, in particular, will be more susceptible to early signs of:
- Redness
- Irritation
- Flakiness
- Dehydration
Fall Face Wash Needs
There’s a common misconception that you have to stick to cleansers that list your skin type on the label. However, dermatologists suggest otherwise. A face wash is not a one wash fits all seasons product. A typical foaming face wash or gel cleanser is ideal for controlling oil in the summer heat, but it's a different story when fall and winter approach. Since fall air holds less moisture, some skin types produce less oil, causing concern if you’re not equipped with the right face wash. Your summer face wash may be stripping your skin of its natural oils, causing it to accelerate and intensify dry skin issues.
Younger, sensitive skin may experience irritation or extreme moisture loss with face wash products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide during these colder months. Set aside the clarifying acne treatments for teens and oily skin types at the conclusion of summer and reach for a gentle, cream face wash to nourish skin instead.
Fall Moisturizing Needs
As summer draws to an end, it’s wise to switch from light lotions and tinted creams to hydrating skincare. No matter what your skin type is, you will benefit from the additional moisture. For extremely dry skin types and those battling eczema and psoriasis, a heavier lotion or cream will hydrate, heal, and protect your skin.
A fantastic dermatologist tip for cold month moisturizing is the ‘soak and smear’ method: apply your moisturizer after using a hydrating face wash and pat it dry. Leaving your skin slightly damp and following with immediate moisture will provide maximum hydration.
Fall Sun Protection
Don’t tuck that sunscreen in your bathroom drawer just because summer has come to a close. But do feel free to dial down the higher SPF. While it is not necessary to continue wearing an SPF of 50 or higher, it’s always in your skin’s best interest to keep up with an SPF routine. Higher SPF’s are not critical during the fall and winter months, as UVB rays are at a minimum.
In contrast, UVA rays take over during the cold months. UVA rays are the long wavelengths of sunlight that will penetrate your skin’s dermis and lead to premature signs of aging, such as sunspots, sagging, and wrinkling. Stay alert because cooler temperatures make it more challenging to feel the effects of these rays, and you may be exposing your skin to severe sun damage without even noticing.
Dermatologists warn all skin types to choose a sunscreen with a “broad spectrum" label during cold months to protect against UVB and UVA light.
The Importance of Humidifiers
All skin types can benefit from investing in a humidifier during the fall and winter months. They provide your skin with a boost of hydration by adding moisture to the air. This is especially useful when it’s cold enough to run the heater in your home, school, and work environments. Heating systems will keep the air warm but noticeably dry. Adding moisture with a humidifier will help prevent dry skin.
Avoid Hot Showers and Baths
We know they sound amazing during the chilly months, but soaking in long, hot baths and showers are harmful and counterproductive for all skin types. As your skin becomes drier, hot water temperatures can intensify the irritation and cracking of the skin’s surface. Prolonged exposure to hot water may cause additional redness and itching. Instead, enjoy a lukewarm shower or bath and moisturize immediately after stepping out to help seal in moisture.
Top Tips for Acne-Prone Teen Skin
Trying to balance school, work, home, and your social life as a pre-teen and teen can be quite a rollercoaster. To top it all off, you may now be dealing with finicky skin. Let’s dive into some dermatologist skincare recommendations and acne treatments for teens.
Know your Skin Type
If you don’t already know your skin type, it’s time to find out. Knowing your young skin is the best way to provide it with the ideal skincare regimen.
Normal Skin Type
Normal skin typically has a soft, smooth texture. This skin type does not tend to experience the blemishes and dry patches other skin types see. The pores tend to be tight, and the surface feels neither greasy nor dry. A normal skin type has well-balanced water content and oil production with few problematic issues. If this sounds like you, dermatologists recommend the use of a mild, alcohol-free face wash to prevent the possibility of over-drying.
Oily Skin Type
Oily skin is easy to identify and can be troublesome, but never fear, there are fantastic skin care regimens and acne treatments for teen skin. Oily skin typically looks shiny and most often has one or more of the following:
- Acne
- Cystic acne
- Blackheads
- Whiteheads
- Large pores
If oily skin sounds like your skin type, use your face wash two to three times a day. You can keep fresh throughout the day by carrying oil blotters or cleansing wipes with you to school, work, and extracurricular activities. Having blotters and wipes on hand is an excellent extension of effective acne treatments for teen skin.
Dry Skin Type
Dry skin is typically flaky, dull, uneven to the touch, and itchy. You may notice your pores seem to be invisible while the outer layer of your skin seems to shed abnormally. Dry skin needs extra attention and ample moisturization from face wash and lotions to stay healthy and smooth. Select a gentle face wash to reduce sensitivity while rehydrating. Always avoid excessive washing and scrubbing, which will further agitate your dry skin.
Combination Skin Type
Combination skin is a blend of all skin types. You may notice an extremely oily T-zone - your forehead, nose, and chin area - while other parts of your face tend to feel dry. You’ll want to adopt a specific acne treatment to help target blackheads and large, open pores, while gently nurturing your young skin. Your cheeks may feel or appear rough and dry, while other areas feel as if they are oozing sebum and natural oils. Combination skin types require gentle face wash products that target oily concerns while hydrating flaky areas accordingly.
Regardless of your skin type, following these best practices will help you develop a healthy skincare routine and acne treatment for teen skin:
Wash your Face Daily
Practice a healthy skin care routine by washing your face two to three times daily. When you wake, your skin needs to be set free of the oil and sweat you accumulate through the night. Be sure not to rub your skin aggressively with your face wash, as it can create irritation and an increase in oil secretion.
Washing your face two to three times a day is a must when treating teenage acne. Cleansing multiple times a day will help prevent breakouts and control the spread of acne-causing bacteria. Morning and night washing will remove makeup, dirt, surface oils, and flaking skin, thus improving your skin’s tone, texture, and clarity.
Moisturize Daily
Even problematic skin needs a moisturizer for balance, protection, and hydration. Follow your face washing with a moisturizer suitable for your skin type to help lock in hydration. Apply gently to your skin, as not to irritate it with harsh rubbing or pulling.
Skip That Powder
It’s common to want to reach for your powder to cover up shine, particularly for oily skin. But unfortunately, it’s counterproductive to hide that shine under layers of powder, as you’ll clog pores and notice a clumpy, patchy buildup begin to form. Instead, invest in blotting papers and keep them with you at school, work, and extracurriculars to retain your shine-free skin throughout the day. Eliminating excess obstacles will strengthen your efforts towards acne treatments for teen skin.
Consider Passing on Scrubs
Facial exfoliators and pore strips aren’t always the best way to rid your skin of blackheads. Consider following a routine specifically for acne treatments for teens that include gentle products with 2% salicylic acid. Light spot treatments are perfect for young skin and will help clear and restore your natural glow.
Makeup Tips for Clear Skin
While a fresh face is always best, following a few simple makeup tips will help keep your skin looking its best as you return to school this fall:
- Use your face wash as soon as you return from school
- Wash all your makeup brushes and sponges regularly to cut down the spread of bacteria
- Use a new, clean, dry towel to dry brushes
- Avoid heavy foundations
- Find lightweight foundations suitable for your skin type
- Utilize gentle acne treatments for teen skin when blemishes do appear from makeup use
Don’t Pick or Pop Your Blemishes!
We know – those little guys spring up at the worst times, and it’s tempting to try and get rid of them quickly, but don't pick or pop your pimples! Doing so can cause more harm than good, including scarring, redness, further inflammation, or infection. Let pimples take their course, as annoying as it may be, and invest in an effective skincare and acne treatment for teens instead.
Hydrate!
Water is the best way to keep your skin hydrated, healthy, and glowing. Keep a bottle of water with you throughout your day and sip while at school, work, or practice. Hydration is a no-brainer for your entire body, so do your young skin a favor and drink up.
Not a big water fan? You will be when you see the results stare back at you in the mirror. Try adding a few slices of lemon, cucumbers, or your favorite berries to add a touch of flavor.
Don’t Touch your Face
It’s a nasty habit, but a real habit nonetheless. We are all guilty of doing it but making yourself more aware is a step in the right direction. Think of all the surfaces and items you touch throughout the day. All of the dirt, grime, and bacteria transfer from surfaces to your hands and then right onto your delicate skin when you touch your face. Wash and sanitize your hands and even your cell phone often to help prevent dirt transfer to your delicate skin. Controlling this habit will help your skin care regimen do its job.
Eat Healthy Foods
You hear this all the time and dermatologists will tell you it’s all true. Acne and pimples may have a sizeable hormone-related component, but diet plays a role as well. Part of an effective skincare and acne treatment for teen skin is watching what you eat. Your skin needs vital nutrients to stay healthy. A healthy diet is great for your skin and overall health, so don’t load up on sugars and be aware of lactose intolerances and other food sensitivities your skin may be showing you.
Get Plenty of Sleep
While diet is one factor, stress and sleep are undoubtedly high on the list to achieving radiant skin, even at a young age. Work towards adopting and maintaining a sleep pattern that keeps you well-rested and ready to take on the day. Reduce stress and anxiety when possible and be mindful of your overall health and wellness.
Taking care of your skin begins with a conscious effort to develop and follow a healthy routine. Catering to your specific skin type through every season and using an appropriate acne treatment for teens will lead you to radiant, healthy skin!