Fall Skincare Tips & Routines

Fall Skincare: How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated + Moisturized

As we transition away from the warm temperatures and sunny days of summer into the colder and more inclement months of fall, you may need to make adjustments to your skincare routine. Changes in temperature and consistent cold weather can often lead to dry, dull skin, so it’s important to incorporate either or both moisturizers and hydrators into your regimen.

Here’s what you should know so you can make the best decisions for your routine.

Moisturizer vs. Hydrator

• Moisturizers are composed of occlusive ingredients that help your skin retain moisture. Water is not enough to provide your skin with the moisture it needs, and it usually evaporates within minutes of washing your skin. Oil-based ingredients (moisturizers) create a seal on the surface of the skin to prevent water from escaping, therefore keeping your skin hydrated. Moisturizers can also help your skin feel smoother. Examples of moisturizers include plant oils like jojoba, sunflower, and avocado oils that can be found in our Heavenly Sixteen All-In-One Face Oil, as well as petrolatum (petroleum jelly).

• Hydrators are humectants, otherwise known as ingredients that help attract moisture. Hydration often works from the inside out, so things like water intake (whether from drinking water or eating water-rich foods like cucumber and watermelon), as well as your environment, deeply impact your skin’s hydration level. The most well-known humectant ingredient in skincare is hyaluronic acid, which can attract and retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water and is a key ingredient in our best-selling Jet Lag Mask.

Which Do You Need — Moisturizers or Hydrators?

If your skin is chronically dry and presents as flaky, chapped, and/or dull, you likely need a moisturizer. Thick, emollient (high in oil content) moisturizers will help seal your skin to prevent the loss of water. Though traditional petroleum jelly or Aquaphor are often recommended to combat dryness, petroleum-based products are comedogenic, meaning they clog the pores and often lead to acne breakouts. Instead, try other non-comedogenic oils like jojoba, which closely resembles your skin’s natural sebum.

• For dryness, use Heavenly Sixteen All-In-One Face Oil to moisturize the skin. It is filled with a restorative blend of 16 non-comedogenic, vegan oils to deeply condition, plump, and boost your skin's elasticity. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, to deliver an instant infusion of moisture and radiance for healthy-looking, glowing skin.

If your skin is seasonally dry or you haven’t been meeting proper water intake levels, you likely need a hydrator to attract and retain moisture. Dehydrated skin looks similar to dry skin, but is usually temporary due to circumstances and does not persist year-round.

• For dehydrated skin, use Jet Lag Mask and Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum. They both contain glycerin and hyaluronic acid to draw in hydration and leave skin looking and feeling plump and bouncy. These humectants also act as a protective shield around the skin barrier to combat environmental stressors like pollution and other irritants. After cleansing, apply Dream Oasis as an initial layer of hydration, then top with Jet Lag Mask for an extra shot of moisture.

Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean you should avoid moisturizers and hydrators. Oily skin can still be dehydrated, so look to water-based hydrators. People with oily skin often have compromised barrier function, which makes it hard for their skin to retain moisture. As moisture leaves the skin, it becomes dehydrated, causing the skin to produce more oil, leading to acne breakouts and clogged pores. It’s a vicious cycle, and the only way to break it is to give your skin the proper hydration and moisture it needs.

For oily skin, use Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer. This lightweight formulation is perfect for people with oily skin because it not only contains the humectants glycerin and hyaluronic acid to attract moisture, but it also utilizes the power of amino acids to repair and protect the skin barrier.

Now that you know the difference between moisturizers and hydrators, you can make the best decision for your skincare routine as we head into the colder months of fall.