Is it really September already?! I know, we can’t quite believe it either. One minute we’re all slathering on sunscreen (which, by the way, is quite important all year round), and the next, we’re on the verge of wrapping ourselves in a nice cosy blanket and hibernating until springtime.
Small wonder, then, that if we struggle with the changing seasons, our skin might struggle with a seamless transition too.
The good news is that a fab skincare routine all year round (including Hero Pimple Patches when a spot or pimple strikes) can help give your skin the support it needs to look radiant, whatever the weather outside —which is especially beneficial when you live in the UK!
So why might your skin become more prone to breakouts—or just feel a bit dull and flat—as the longer and darker evenings roll in?
Time to blame the weather
While it’s true that the great British weather can be a little all over the place at the best of times, it’s likely that autumn each year will bring fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels.
What does that mean for your skin? Well, normally it means there’s less moisture in the atmosphere, which means your skin can feel drier, more sensitive, and possibly even a little bit irritated. Definitely not good news—as that can make you more prone to breakouts.
Why is that the case?
The science here is that your lipid layer (the protective barrier around your skin cells) helps to maintain the health of your skin by keeping bacteria, viruses, and other nasties away.
When your skin is dehydrated, it can become weak and unable to perform this function as effectively as when properly hydrated, which can lead to inflammation and irritation.
But because your skin is a superhero, it tries to power through regardless (we’ve all been there) and keeps producing oil. This oil then ends up all mixed up with dried-out dead skin cells and bacteria, forming a paste that—you’ve guessed it—can clog up your pores. Hello, breakout!
All of this means that taking additional steps to ensure your skin stays hydrated in the autumn is really important. Let’s start with your skincare routine…
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Our dermatologist expert, Dr Sonia Khorana, says that dry skin during the autumn and winter months, when the air is drier, can make your skin look dull and lacklustre.
Keeping your skin hydrated means cleansing it —of course— but not doing it too often to avoid stripping away your natural oils. If that happens, it could lead to your skin becoming even more irritated.
You’ll also need to moisturise a lot, and when we say a lot, we mean A LOT! When dealing with dry skin, it’s important to choose moisturisers that are thicker and heavier (thus more likely to stay on the surface of your skin for longer) and contain ingredients that keep your skin hydrated, help attract water to your skin, and lock in that moisture once it’s there.
And, because sunscreen is important all year round, choosing a moisturiser with UV protection really matters. As is what you put in your body…
It’s important to stay hydrated
None of us should need to be told to drink enough water, but not all of us drink enough.
It’s recommended ( by the NHS, no less) that all of us drink 6–8 glasses of fluid each day – which can include tea, coffee and sugar-free drinks as well as still, sparkling or flavoured water. The important thing is, whatever you choose, to try to drink regularly throughout the day—as not getting enough fluids can leave your skin and the rest of you severely dehydrated.
Fortunately, we also get some fluids from our food, which brings us to…
You are what you eat
When trying to look after your skin, what you put into your body is possibly even more important than what you put onto your skin.
And while Dr Sonia says there’s no evidence that chocolate alone—for example—causes acne (hurrah!), high-glycaemic foods, processed foods and sugar are thought to be triggers for acne and blemishes. So don’t celebrate too soon, as chocolate with high milk and sugar content definitely falls into this category (boo!).
As Dr Sonia explains: ‘Whey protein isolates basically bind to insulin-like growth factors—there’s an inflammatory cascade that occurs, causing your sebum to increase and blemishes to occur.’
She recommends eating foods rich in antioxidants (like green leafy vegetables), carotenoids (like carrots and pumpkins), omega-3 fatty acids (like walnuts) and zinc (like lean meat). All these make great comfort food at any time of the year, but especially when it’s getting colder outside. Bonus!
Being the super-Hero your skin needs
You’d be forgiven for thinking that you’ll need to resign yourself to your skin not being at its best over the autumn months, but it definitely doesn’t have to be your destiny.
The most important thing is to be kind to yourself. True beauty isn’t just skin deep, and by eating right, drinking enough water, and getting enough sleep, you’ll be giving your face and body the support they need to shine.
And for everything else, there’s Hero Pimple Patches! Made from medical-grade hydrocolloid, they’ll be your best friend when a breakout strikes—so why not stick a pack in the cupboard today?