How to Reset Your Skin After Summer
Even if you were the most dedicated SPF wearer all summer long, exposure to summer sun can wreak havoc on our skin, and as the temperature changes, it’s important to hit the reset button. The setting summer sun means more than a new season, it means it’s time to transition your routine and products into fall!
Professional Exfoliation
In-office treatments, like microdermabrasion or dermaplaning are the most effective ways to slough away those dead summer skin cells and flaky skin that can clog pores. They’re great rejuvenation treatments to do at the end of the summer and even as the crisp, cool weather rolls in.
Book a Facial
This isn’t just because the temperatures are cooling and winter weather is dry. Post-summer skin has taken a beating—whether it’s chlorinated water, hours in air conditioning or increased sun exposure. Schedule a professional facial (like our Intraceuticals® Oxygen Facial), and you’ll immediately notice softer, more supple skin that’s ready for fall foliage and chilly nights by the fire.
Take Care of Summer Damage
Spending a summer in the sun and sand might be look great on your Instagram, but your skin is begging for some attention. Some of the most common post-summer skin woes can be uneven tone, hyper-pigmented skin and sometimes rough patches. “If you’re noticing new discoloration from too much summer sun, try pigment-correcting serums like SkinMedica® Lytera or SkinCeuticals® Discoloration Defense,” says aesthetician Virginia McIntosh, LE, CLS. “They’re safe for all skin types and should be included in your daily routine if sunspots are an issue.”
(Slowly) Introduce Retinol
Retinol works at a very profound level to renew skin. It supercharges skin-cell turnover, encourages new collagen production, smoothes the skin and even helps pigmentation. Because most retinol formulas are potent, McIntosh suggests slowly incorporating one (like SkinMedica® Retinol Complex 0.25) into your routine and only using it at night.
Swap out Your Cleanser
New season, new skincare. Swap your oil-controlling cleansers that are great during the humid dog days of summer for a hydrating and balancing cleanser that will combat skin's tendency to dry out. SkinCeuticals® Gentle Cleanser is a mild cream cleanser that removes impurities and excess oil, but also soothes and calms dry or sensitive skin.
Thicken Your Moisturizer
This may seem obvious, but opting for a thicker, more hydrating moisturizer is vital. Think of it as bundling up in a cozy sweater. The SkinCeuticals® Triple Lipid Restore is an anti-aging treatment cream that drastically nourishes dry skin, creating a barrier between your skin and the weather and locking in moisture.