Dermatologist Secrets to Creating The Perfect Fall Skin-Care Routine

That said, PSL season is also a perfect time to reassess your go-to skin-care routine. And, in general, it's always good to approach skin care seasonally, just like you do your wardrobe. "As the seasons change, so should your skin care," explains Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara. "It's minor tweaks that can make a major difference."

To avoid the itch fest, here are the five top tips from dermatologists to thwart autumnal skin-related freak-outs.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Adding an extra layer of hydration to your routine is another great way to prevent skin dehydration, Gohara adds. "As chill settles in, water heads out for a host of reasons," she explains. "You layer clothes as it gets colder; you should layer on hydration, too." Her recommendation is to add a hyaluronic acid-based serum or sheet mask to your skin-care routine alongside a heftier moisturizer. (The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a perfect and affordable starting point for HA newbies.)

Add a body lotion to the mix

When summer humidity ends, the skin may start to feel dry and itchy, as there is much less moisture in the air to help hydrate, says Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

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La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Body Cream

The easiest way to stop the itch? By loading up on hydration — from head to toe. "Moisturizers provide a protective barrier over the skin, allowing it to retain hydration and draw in hydration to the outer skin layer," he says. We like the Best of Beauty-winning H2O+ Beauty Milk Body Butter and La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Body Cream, which is packed with the same type of ceramides mentioned earlier.

Cut back on exfoliating

As the weather gets colder, it's best to cut back on robust ingredients, like retinoids and glycolic acid, says Elizabeth Tanzi, associate clinical professor of the department of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Exfoliation, in general, is a tricky subject because it's very easy to overdo it, chilly wheather or not. "[Over-exfoliation can] create tiny cracks in the skin barrier that lead to more loss of hydration and inflammation," Zeichner previously explained to us.

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Biossance Squalane and Glycolic Renewal Mask

You'll know if you're going too hard on your skin if it's perpetually inflamed, irritated, itchy, or even straight-up in pain. To avoid that, Tanzi recommends using glycolic treatment pads (like the alpha hydroxy acid-packed Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel) or a mask (like Biossance's Squalane and Glycolic Renewal Mask) no more than once a week to help remove discoloration brought on by the summer sun.

Invest in a humidifier

The dry heat from your home, apartment, or office serves another threat to your skin barrier. "Low humidity levels degrade the skin's natural moisture barrier, which can lead to flaking, cracking, and peeling," New York City board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman previously explained to ishonest.

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Hey Dewy Portable Humidifier

Thankfully, you can boost the hydration in your home by adding your own moisturizer to the mix with the help of a humidifier, says Tanzi. A couple of our favorite skin-friendly humidifiers are the Dyson Humidifer and Hey Dewy's Portable Humidifier (great for desks, travel, and tiny apartments). Turn it on as soon as you put the heat on for best results.

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