With the first signs of fall, our skin care routine needs to kick into high gear. Holly Sherrard, a skin-care expert with Dermalogica, shows us five easy ways to repair and prepare our skin for the colder months ahead.
1. Get a skin analysis
If you're like most women, it's likely been a while since your last facial. But taking care of yourself means taking care of your skin, too – even if it seems like a luxury. Visiting a spa facialist or skin therapist for a skin analysis will start you on the path to a clear, even complexion.
"Skin therapists can assess how your skin has reacted to summer and recommend products that are appropriate for the colder season," says Sherrard. Based on the condition and type of your skin, a pro will advise which products will best get your skin healthy after a summer of sun and humidity.
The good news is that a skin-care analysis doesn't take hours on end. Even an express 20-minute check-in on your lunch hour – which many spas now offer – can yield great results.
2. Wear sunscreen
We all know sunscreen is an essential in the summer, but are you just as vigilant the rest of the year?
"It's important to continue wearing an SPF 30 in the fall on all exposed skin – not just on your face," explains Sherrard. Smooth on a light-formula sunscreen of at least SPF 30 under your makeup and before getting dressed (brush your teeth or do your hair while you're waiting for it to absorb).
Sherrard also suggests visiting your doctor for an annual mole check as part of your skin-care routine. "Schedule an appointment for when the seasons change as an easy reminder."
Page 1 of 2 -- Learn why it's important to exfoliate and deep-clean your skin on page 2
