10 Beauty Changes for Fall
The temperatures seem to be dropping and the long summer months are coming to an end! You’ve put away your bikinis and pulled out your chunky knits, but have you thought about what changes you can make to your beauty routine? Here are 10 changes you can make to transition into fall!
Silk Pillowcases
With the elements taking a toll on your skin, switching to a silk pillowcase is an easy way to give your face some pampering without having to work too hard. In fact, you can even enjoy the benefits of it while you nap!
Using a silk pillowcase is gentler on your skin than a cotton one. Fine lines and wrinkles won’t be accentuated. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and highly resistant to dust mites and other bacteria that can cause skin reactions or discomfort.
Plus, sleeping on a silk pillowcase is a simple luxury everyone needs after a long day!
Wash Your Makeup Brushes
I know washing your makeup brushes isn’t the most exciting thing to do on a Friday night…it’s no surprise we’ve all gone a long time without washing them! You may find that breakouts keep popping up no matter what you do to your skin. This could be because the makeup brushes you’re using are dirty! There is a detailed article on washing makeup brushes which you can read here.
Store your face mask in the fridge
I know that applying an icy cold face mask to your face in the winter may be considered torture. But since cold weather and hot air can cause skin problems, applying a cool face mask will help soothe redness, reduce facial puffiness, tighten pores, and restore balance to your skin. Try to use your face mask in the morning as the added moisture will help prepare your skin for the elements! The Instaclear Control Mask is especially helpful at this time of year as it soothes redness!
Hot Water and Lemon
Drinking hot water and lemon first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day. Add a little honey and the drink can also boost your immune system! Lemon water is also a great alternative to caffeine, which can be harmful to your skin, especially during the months with windy, icy days and dark mornings!
Don’t Cut Your Cuticles
What a blessing it is when my cuticles are cut during a manicure! I don’t want to sound too self-righteous, but cutting your cuticles is something you should not try to do at home! If you want to do a manicure at home, the best way to care for your cuticles is to soak your nails in warm water, take a manicure tool called an orange stick (similar to a large cocktail stick), and push the cuticles back into place on the nail bed. Trimming cuticles when you are inexperienced can lead to overexposing the nail, which increases the risk of infection. If small flakes of skin or cuticles drive you crazy, apply plenty of hand cream throughout the day and focus it on the cuticles!
Wear Lipstick
Fall calls for deep berry red lips! I admit that I am not the best at experimenting with dark lipsticks. That’s why I am taking on a personal challenge and using the opportunity to wear dark lips this month! Choosing a cool-toned lipstick will help your teeth appear whiter, but you can also whiten your teeth in a way that is safe for your enamel with Procoal’s Strengthening Teeth Whitening Strips!
So I implore you to join me in wearing a bold lip this season!
Body Scrub
Of course, personal care seems to have taken a downturn as the temperatures drop and people are putting on millions of layers. If you continue to fully moisturize your body with a nourishing moisturizer, don’t forget to exfoliate your skin beforehand. This removes dead skin cells from the skin and stimulates blood circulation, giving it a healthy glow. Other skin issues such as blemishes on the back and chest become a thing of the past!
Don’t forget your feet
Similar to the body scrub mentioned above, we need to put a lot of pressure on our feet during the colder months. They’re often forced to wear socks and boots with little to no attention! Give those forgotten toes a pedicure and try the Peel Away Foot Mask to keep your feet looking beautiful and comfortable. Plus, you’ll be well prepared for the first day of spring when you pull your sandals out of your closet!
Consider your SPF
I know I’ve said this before, but applying SPF should be a regular part of your skincare routine all year round. Just because you’re not lounging on a sun lounger with a pina colada in your hand doesn’t mean the sun’s harmful UV rays aren’t doing their job to full effect! So to prevent premature aging and dark spots, apply an SPF of at least 30 every day.
Hair Mask
Winter is tough on hair: cold weather, static from putting on and taking off woolen hats, heating in the house. Not surprisingly, many people claim that winter brings them hair problems every week! A shampoo enriched with shea butter provides much-needed moisture to the hair follicles. Procoal Shampoo Bar is packed with amazing ingredients that your skin will love! You can also rub coconut oil into your hair to make an overnight mask, or wrap it in an old t-shirt so that the coconut oil doesn’t damage your sheets!
So, I hope these 10 changes will help you keep your skin and hair beautiful during the cold fall months!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
