Clean Skincare Reset for Fall

When the summer comes to end, I feel like there’s always a moment when I look in the mirror and think “What have I done to my skin?!?!” I go from feeling tan and glowy to suddenly noticing a few age spots or a rougher texture or clogged pores, even though it feels like I spend all summer applying sunscreen and wearing a hat. To address any havoc that the beach/boat/pool have caused or to get ready for the drop in temperatures and humidity, a change in seasons is a great time to try some new beauty products. This fall I’m focusing on adding more clean products to my life, so I included some trusted favorites and some new products to try in this round-up. And, I probably don’t need to say this, but I definitely put these products all over my chest, shoulders, back of the hands—basically any area that got pummeled by the sun.

For Mornings-Add a Vitamin C Serum

If you’re looking at post-summer damage in the form of age spots, adding a Vitamin C Serum is a great way to start to combat that. I pat on a serum after I wash my face in the morning. It seems like everyone is coming out with Vitamin C products this year, so there are lots of options. Right now I’m using the Beautycounter All Bright C Serum. I also love Ole Henriksen-last summer I got this kit and took it on a vacation at the end of the summer and it went a long way towards restoring my skin. Now they have a Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum that I’ve been eyeing for the fall. This Glow Recipe Vitamin C has the cutest packaging and good reviews. The Oznaturals won Oprah’s recommendation for best inexpensive Vitamin C and is available on Amazon.

For Evenings-Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate and then Nourish

In the evenings, I’m focused on exfoliating my skin to address the texture, and then adding in all of the moisture I can get to nourish and heal my skin and let it work overnight to regenerate.

For a physical exfoliant, I like the Acure Brightening Facial Scrub—it’s a clean product that gets great reviews and is really well priced. I’ve also heard great things about the Yo Glow Facial Enzyme Scrub, which exfoliates in multiple ways.

For chemical exfoliants, the Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask is a classic favorite that is great to apply once or twice a week. I also swear by the Farmacy Honeymoon Glow and have worked up to applying that every other night. I have pretty tough skin, so if you have sensitive skin, you may need to keep it to once or twice a week. The GOOP exfoliators are expensive but I’ve found them to be very effective: GOOPGLOW 15% Glycolic Acid Overnight Glow Peel for a chemical exfoliant and the GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator for a physical exfoliant.

After I exfoliate, I like to apply something with a lot of moisture and vitamins. Youth to the People has a new overnight face mask-the Superberry Hydrate+Glowdream Mask with Vitamin C. I love a mask that you sleep in because I think it really gives you time to reap all the moisturizing benefits, and this one is supposed to hydrate, plump and brighten. I always love the Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask and sleep in that one as well. The Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Sleep Mask also looks very promising and has a great price point.

Bonus Step: To Tone or Not to Tone?

I go back and forth on toner, personally. Sometimes it doesn’t seem necessary to me, but if I’m feeling like my skin needs some extra help, I’ll add it in, as it’s another way to give your skin some extra support or exfoliation. You can tone in the morning or the evening, but I try to make sure that I don’t double up on strong products, so if I’m using a toner with AHA’s, I won’t then use a mask with AHA’s-I’ll stick to a product that’s more focused on adding moisture or has a different type of active ingredient.

The Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Toner from Summer Fridays is new and looks like it could be great-it has lactic acid, niacinamide and glycolic acid to reduce dullness, age spots, fine lines and pore size. The REN Ready Steady Glow toner looks really good too. For a less expensive and more gentle toner, I’ve heard great things about the Sailor by Captain B. toner.

And if you have an extra minute before you go bed, pat on an overnight lip moisturizer!