As October draws to an end, there’s no denying that it’s well and truly Autumn in Manchester. The bitter wind when waiting on the platform for your morning commute, the typical ‘Manchester drizzle’ rain that patters down day and night for weeks on end, and once in the office, the air-con-turned-heating that dries out the air. All of these elements have an impact on our complexion, which is why today I’ve decided to share some of my top Autumn Skincare Tips with you.
I know that most of us only use sun protection during the Summer (and in notoriously rainy Manchester, sometimes not even then!) but in actual fact, you should be using SPF all year round, including during Autumn and Winter.
No matter the weather (even if cloudy or dull), UVA and UVBs can still creep through and damage our skin. Environmental factors such as these and free radicals are actually some of the biggest factors in forming premature wrinkles and age spots, so by using any sort of SPF you are already reducing visible signs of ageing.
As I work in the city, I am also conscious of pollution, and an SPF can help to combat the effects of this on the skin. Although you can buy SPF and sun protection as separate creams and mists, I personally like to incorporate this in with my usual skincare routine so I don’t have to use or waste too many different products.
My top tip for this would be to find a day time moisturiser with an SPF already included in it, meaning you can apply it as part of your usual morning skincare routine; easy!
An indulgent tip, I admit, but honestly there is nothing better for your skin than having regular facials. I know this can’t be a reality for everyone – I, too, end up promising myself I’ll make a regular habit of booking in for monthly facials but never do – but there is absolutely nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while!
Although sometimes expensive, I will always opt for a facial over any other spa treatment as I KNOW just how good they are for your skin. These are especially effective if you visit a skincare specialist location and trust me, there are loads of amazing spa getaways across the UK. You get all the ‘pampered feeling’ benefits you feel with a massage or body scrub, all while your skin truly feels the benefit of a deep cleanse and treatment. You will leave the salon looking and feeling refreshed, and with a good foundation to carry out your own skincare routine at home.
Whenever I get a facial, I also always make sure to ask the therapist a lot of questions so I can try and recreate the steps myself at home! This is a great top tip for both treating your skin and helping to educate yourself further in different skincare tips, techniques and ingredients.
I cannot stress this enough – please invest in a good eye cream!
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest (and therefore most delicate) part of the skin on your whole body. Because of this, the area around your eyes is the part most prone to early signs of fine lines and wrinkles. Investing in a good eye cream with moisturising and nourishing ingredients is a good way to help maintain collegian (the part of your skin that keeps it looking plump) and therefore more filled, and less wrinkly.
My top tip for applying eye cream is to do this with your ring finger. Using your index or middle fingers, which are typically your most dominant, can mean you are sometimes a little rougher than you realise. Using your ring finger allows you to be more delicate and therefore less likely to cause yourself any premature lines this autumn by stretching the skin around your eye area.
Autumn is truly the time to nourish your skin and ensure it is feeling plump and hydrated ready for when the weather gets even harsher in Winter. As well as investing in high-quality products (such as eye cream) when deemed necessary, one of the ways you can do this effectively is by looking at what ingredients are in the products you use. Tailoring the products you use for your skin type is an efficient way to ensure your skin is getting the best access to the care it needs.
For instance, I mentioned above that collegian is what keeps our skin looking plump and free of fine lines, and so if anti-ageing is a concern for you, be sure to look out for a serum or moisturiser that contains collegian.
Similarly, if you have dry skin (which can often get even more dehydrated in Autumn), make sure you are using Hyaluronic Acid. I’ve raved about the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid before, but truly, this is a wonder product for injected a burst of moisture into the skin. After all, it can hold up to 5,000 times its weight in water!
If you are unsure on your skin type, read my blog post about different skin types here, or pop into your local beauty store to ask a skin care therapist or skincare sales manager what they think. Many of the experts working in these environments are super knowledgeable and happy to help!
This skincare tip is an oldie but a goodie – please make sure you stay hydrated this Autumn!
Even though it can be tempting to drink more hot drinks like teas, coffees, mulled wines – no, just me?! – during the colder months, it’s still important for your skin to ensure you’re drinking lots of water. After all, our bodies are 80% water and drinking this much H2O helps to flush out toxins, plump the skin and give your complexion a glow.
The recommended amount of daily water intake is 2 litres, which I appreciate can feel hard to do, but one of the ways I like to ensure I’m drinking enough is to keep a steel reusable bottle on my desk. Every time I get up to go to the loo, I try and refill it to ensure I am getting regular intakes of water.
So, hopefully, this blog post has given you a good foundation for your Autumn skincare routine, giving you some quick and simple tips that we can look out for in all of our daily regimes.
What are your favourite Autumn Skincare Tips? Please feel free to leave them in a comment below – I would love to hear them!
Full time I'm an ambitious Head of Marketing and Communications in the luxury industry. Part time, I'm an enthusiastic British Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogger and YouTuber from Manchester, UK. This blog has been my outlet for the past 7+ years, and as a longstanding, Award-winning blogger I take the most enjoyment from creating content I truly love and believe in. All authentic. Always.