How to combat dull dehydrated skin this autumn?

Like it or not, Autumn is settling in. Tans are fading. Scarves are coming out. The combination of colder weather, drying wind, central heating and low humidity combine into a ‘perfect storm’ for dull dehydrated skin. Chances are your skin is feeling a bit drier and looking duller and lacklustre. As the heat and humidity gives way to cool and dry air, your skin might need some extra TLC.

Firstly, what is dehydrated skin?

It’s the result of the outer layers of your skin retaining less water. During colder weather, more water is lost due to evaporation – this can occur when we come in from cold weather to a centrally heated house, or through exposure to drying winds.

Dehydrated skin, when the skin lacks water, is a ‘reversible’ condition, whereas naturally dry skin, where your skin has low levels of natural oils, is a permanent skin type.

Dehydrated skin can affect anyone; however, it becomes more of a problem as you age due to the natural reduction of water within your epidermis. Genetics, skin conditions and skin types can all increase your chances of skin dehydration.

Continually dehydrated skin can accelerate the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, as well other symptoms of ageing. On your body, skin can become flaky, cracked and itchy.

It’s time to make the seasonal skincare transition. Here are some tips and treatments to tackle dull dehydrated skin this autumn and keep your skin glowing, even in the colder weather:

Keep Thirsty Skin Hydrated

We love the crisp Autumn air but it sure can take a toll on our skin. As the temperature levels drop, so do humidity levels which can cause havoc for our skin. The dry, cold air causes our skin to lose moisture. To counter the effects of the dry air, add a hyaluronic acid serum to your beauty routine. Hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the human body and works as a magnet for moisture, helping your cells retain as much of it as possible so that your skin feels and appears hydrated, plump and healthy. You can apply a hyaluronic acid serum morning or night (or both) on damp skin and follow it with a moisturiser and sunscreen (during the day) for super-soft, plump, hydrated skin.

Besides using topical products, also make sure that you are drinking enough water on a daily basis. Staying hydrated combats dull dehydrated skin and will keep your skin healthy and plump. It’s like moisturising your skin from the inside out!

Exfoliate

As the leaves turn, it’s time to buff off those layers. Using a gentle exfoliator will help to slough off old skin cells and make your skin more receptive to moisturisers.  

Your skin can become drier and more prone to flakiness during cooler weather. Dry skin can cause an excess build-up of dead skin cells. This, in turn, can clog your pores. Dry skin can also make your pores more likely to break open, allowing acne causing bacteria deeper into the skin, and can trigger the production of more sebum or oil in your skin. Alas, the oil then creates acne in a continuous cycle of dry skin and acne.

Your skin works on a cyclical basis, meaning you need to remove the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal newer-looking fresh cells. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin and there’s just something about it that feels refreshing and invigorating – like setting your skin back to its natural state.

Exfoliating your skin has many benefits:

• It improves the effectiveness of topical skincare products (like serums and moisturisers) by allowing them to penetrate the skin more efficiently.
• It prevents clogged pores (bye-bye blackheads) resulting in fewer breakouts.
• Long-term exfoliation can increase collagen production which promotes skin elasticity and minimise the appearance of fine lines.
• It leaves your skin looking brighter and smoother.

Exfoliating your skin at least once a week is extremely important for all skin types and a great way to banish dull dehydrated skin. Dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone or normal skin can all benefit from exfoliation. However, it’s also important to pay attention to your skin’s needs and make sure that you aren’t exfoliating too much.

Need help picking the right product to do away with dead skin cells? We recommend our bestselling Dead Sea Mineral Mask which works to draw out pore-clogging dirt and excess sebum and gently exfoliates dead cells whilst helping to hydrate and soothe skin.

Don’t forget SPF  

No matter how cool the temperature feels, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can still cause damage to your skin. As the outermost layer of the skin is damaged by UV exposure it thickens and becomes dehydrated, leading to rough, flaky skin. Sun damage also slows down the rate of skin cell renewal, causing a build-up of old, dead skin cells that result in dull, congested skin.

While UVB rays (which cause burns) weaken come autumn, UVA rays — largely responsible for fine lines and skin aging — are as strong in January as they are in July (both can cause skin cancer.) Plus, sun damage is cumulative, so long term, grabbing a quick coffee sans SPF can be just as bad as forgetting sunscreen at the pool. 

The perfect autumn SPF should contain hydrators (e.g., glycerin and hyaluronic acid), be at least factor 30, broad-spectrum (blocks both UVA and UVB), and contain antioxidants like vitamins C or E.

Don’t forget body care

Don’t ignore the rest of your skin during the colder months. Changes in temperature can affect the skin’s barrier and deplete its water content; leaving your skin just as dehydrated and irritated as the skin on your face.

To prevent this from happening, start off by exfoliating your body. Make sure to avoid hot showers or baths, as the heat absorbs the moisture from your skin, which will only add to the dehydration. Lukewarm water is ideal for skin! You can also use a loofah or exfoliating glove to make sure all of the dead skin is washed away. Exfoliating your body will keep your skin soft, supple and even during the colder months. 

Now that you have exfoliated, it’s crucial that you moisturise immediately following your bath or shower. When you apply your products can impact skin hydration levels. Freshly exfoliated skin dries out as moisture evaporates from the skin into the air. So, don’t forget to moisturise while your skin is damp and apply a thick layer to increase absorption.

Caring for dull dehydrated skin doesn’t stop with a good moisturiser. Did you know adding Dead Sea salt to your bath can help to hydrate your skin? Dead Sea salts is rich in magnesium and calcium which have the unique ability to attract and hold water, helping to deeply hydrate skin. Not only does Dead Sea sat cancel dehydration, it also builds up your skin barrier and reduces inflammation whilst exfoliating dead skin cells and allowing new cells to regenerate! That’s why this skincare superhero has been used for thousands of years to cleanse, detoxify and restore a healthy status quo to the body. Our beautifully scented Mineral Bath Bombs and Soaking Salts are made from pure Dead Sea salts and leave your body feeling cleansed, moisturised and silky smooth. 

Hydrate Your Air

When you have been out in the cold and then go indoors with central heating, the dry air sucks the moisture out of your skin. You can bring a bit more humidity into your house by filling it with houseplants which will naturally add moisture into your home. If you know your houseplants will be dead within a week, you could also invest in a humidifier. A humidifier effectively boosts moisture to the air, so adding a humidifier to your home is a great way to add more hydration to the skin. Your skin loses more water when you sleep than it does during the day so using a humidifier at night could help combat that. Applying a thick moisturiser or oil before bed and drinking plenty of water during the day can also help your complexion stay hydrated overnight. 

Final words

Autumn is upon us, and with the new, cold weather our skin’s needs change. The tips above will help you to transition from your summer skin care routine to something a little different for Autumn to ensure you keep dull dehydrated skin at bay.

Making these few simple adjustments and lifestyles changes is also your cue to Marie Kondo your skincare products. Make sure they haven’t expired or been open too long and wash your make-up brushes and sponges!