By Peter Minkoff

You know the rule, and if you don’t, we’re here to dole out some serious skincare truths and the first one is – change of seasons calls for a change of your skincare arsenal. So, hurry up, finish off those summer go-to products so they don’t go to waste and get ready to spice things up – fall skincare style. The slightly harsher weather calls for some serious changes so stay tuned as we guide you through the skincare maze in order to welcome the golden season (with hopefully a few days of that magical Indian summer) looking fresh, rejuvenated, and ready for anything this period throws at you.

Laying down the groundwork

Fun in the sun is fun indeed, but excessive sun exposure, a crime we’re all guilty of, can and usually does take a toll on the skin, making it patchy, dry, and at times even leathery. So, before you do anything else, it’s time you did some repair work and eradicated the damage the sun may have caused. This is where two little miracles come to play – exfoliation and facial serums. By exfoliating your skin regularly – two to three times a week - you will have removed the dead skin cells caused by dehydration and sun, and will have revealed a glowing clean complexion that is ready for subsequent pampering. In case you have more serious sun damage, investing in a high-quality serum that targets this particular issue is the smartest thing you can do, as sun damage can have long term consequences if not addressed in a timely manner.

When in Rome

In this case Rome is exfoliation and, as caring for your skin shouldn’t end with the face, it’s time to spruce up and rejuvenate the entire body. One of the whole-body pampering trends that has spiked in popularity is actually the ancient art of dry brushing. Not only does it  help remove dead skin cells, but fosters better blood flow and helps eliminate cellulite; not to mention that it has the power to soothe your body from within, so make sure you snag a good brush and learn how to do this ritual properly.

Choose wisely

When it comes to choosing products such as cleansers, toners and moisturizers, it’s always best to go with those coming from the same line. Skincare lines are carefully designed to work together in the right order and bring you the optimal level of cleanliness and much needed moisture, as harsher weather will call for reinforcement in the moisturizing department. So, choose your products wisely and stick to the best skincare regimen and you’ll have nothing to worry about. Of course, when choosing, make sure you take your skin type and possible issues (acne, discoloration or anything else) into account as this is what perhaps matters most when we talk about effectiveness.

Don’t forget this part

We often neglect our lips, it’s time to admit that. Yes, yes, we did have fun with matte lipsticks and will probably continue to do so in the time to come, especially when we switch to darker berry and chocolaty hues, but we mustn’t forget to nourish our lips in preparation for the fall, during fall and well into winter. The harsh weather will leave you with dry chapped and not at all kissable lips, so go for something deeply nourishing that will also rejuvenated your lips too.

Butter up

The shiny and glitter-loaded body lotions were definitely one of summer’s top hits as the entire season was marked by the pursuit of the glow, but as amazing as they look, these lotions are more decorative than nourishing. Therefore, it’s time to switch to something thicker, buttery and deeply nourishing. Think in terms of Shea butters, rich and rejuvenating coconut. Search for local handcrafted brands that have incredibly powerful body butters in a variety of scents, so take your pick according to your scent preferences, but always keep protection and nourishment in mind.

Finish off strong

Another product we tend to leave on the bench during summer is a really good hand cream. Just as the lips, dry, cracked hands are not only un-alluring but can actually be quite painful, so snag the best hand cream you can get your hands on. Moreover, just like the lip balm, always keep it in your bag because these are the two products that you’ll be applying at least five times a day so it’s vital to always keep them in close vicinity.

Not that hard, right – a little exfoliation, some new goodies; preparing for the fall has never sounded more appealing, you have to admit it. We know you can’t wait to get your hands on these fall skincare goodies, so now that our work is done, we’ll leave you to it.