As the seasons start to change and cool, dry autumn days set in, you may notice your skin looking rather dry and dull.
Chilly autumn weather means skin retains less moisture, which can compromise the skin barrier and lead to skin becoming dehydrated and flaky.
Lifestyle choices can also play a role in this, such as the products we use on our skin, the foods we eat, or whether we smoke or drink alcohol. All of these factors can cause skin dehydration and compromise the skin barrier. For smooth, nourished skin this autumn, it’s important to make sure your skincare routine is providing your skin with enough hydration.
Perfect Autumn Skin – What does it mean if your skin is ‘dehydrated’?
Healthy skin contains between 10-20% water, and skin that dips below 10% water is considered ‘dehydrated’. This can cause a host of problems, as adequate hydration is key for nourishing skin and preventing issues such as dryness, itchiness, sensitivity and wrinkles.
Water is used by the outer layer of skin (the stratum corneum) to flush away harmful toxins and carry nutrients to skin cells required to maintain a smooth, evenly-toned visage, and is responsible for giving skin that dewy glow.
Perfect Autumn Skin – Drink enough water
Drinking enough water each day is key for our health and wellbeing, and the same is true for our skin, though this is often an afterthought when we think of keeping ourselves hydrated.
For healthy, glowing skin, it is essential to provide your body with enough water, and this means drinking the recommended 6 – 8 glasses a day. Eating foods with a high water content can help with this and also have the added benefit of other essential vitamins and nutrients your skin requires to stay radiant, such as the Vitamin C in citrus fruits and Vitamin A in leafy greens.
Perfect Autumn Skin – Maintain a skincare routine
It’s important to cleanse skin daily to remove any grime and build up from the day, as well as incorporate deeply hydrating products into your daily routine to replenish the water levels of your skin and keep the moisture barrier strong.
Studies have shown that Marine Collagen is particularly effective in repairing skin collagen and thickening the outer skin surface, improving overall firmness and giving it a plumped, rejuvenated appearance. Adding Hyaluronic Acid into your skincare routine is another excellent way to boost moisture and elasticity in the skin, and provide long-lasting hydration to keep skin nourished and glowing on cold, dry days.
Perfect Autumn Skin – Use SPF every day
The temperature may be cooler, but skin can still be exposed to harmful UV and UVB rays during the autumn. Avoiding this is another great way to assist your skin in retaining moisture, as excessive UV rays damage and kill skin cells, leading to uneven skin pigmentation and fine lines. Research has found that too much sun can sap the water content from your skin, leading to dehydration. Remember to cover up and use sun protection with a minimum SPF of 15, even on those cloudy days!
Asees Berri launched her very own anti-ageing skincare range when her Surrey (Cobham) based clinic was forced to temporarily close when the initial lockdown restrictions were introduced in March 2020.
As part of this range, Asees recently launched a new Hyaluronic Acid Serum developed to hydrate and brighten skin. The unique water-based product is specially designed to strengthen the skin barrier, restore hydration and leave skin smooth and glowing.