Autumn skincare routine: 5 changes your skin needs

Autumn is the perfect time to adapt your skincare routine. After months of sun, heat and increased exposure to the elements, your skin may appear drier, duller or show visible blemishes. In this article, we’ll explain how, with just a few small changes, you can help your skin regain its radiance and boost its protection.

What does vitamin C do for the face?

Vitamin C is one of the best-known and most interesting antioxidant ingredients in cosmetics. It helps protect the skin against oxidative stress caused by free radicals – molecules generated, amongst other factors, as a result of exposure to solar radiation and other environmental agents. As well as its antioxidant action, vitamin C plays a part in the synthesis of collagen, a protein that is essential for maintaining the skin’s structure and firmness. Consequently, regular use can help to improve the appearance of expression lines. Other benefits that make it highly sought-after include the fact that it brightens the complexion and evens out skin tone. Vitamin C can help improve the appearance of dark spots and lighten them, resulting in a more even skin tone; it is therefore particularly beneficial to incorporate it into your skincare routine after the summer, a time when pigmentation changes become more visible. For this reason, vitamin C is a highly beneficial and versatile ingredient for any skincare routine, particularly suitable for anti-ageing and depigmenting regimens. However, vitamin C is not a substitute for sun cream; rather, it complements it: whilst the antioxidant helps combat oxidative stress, sun cream acts as a shield, reducing the amount of UV radiation reaching our skin.

Changes 1 and 2: gentler cleansing and a vitamin C facial treatment in the morning

1. Cleanse gently. Avoid cleansers that are too astringent, as they can disrupt the skin barrier and increase feelings of tightness. Opt for a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type and its needs.
2. Incorporate vitamin C into your morning routine. The Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C serum provides pure vitamin C, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. Applied to clean skin, it helps improve radiance and combat the signs of ageing. Always apply sun protection afterwards.

Changes 3 and 4: combine vitamin C on your face and reintroduce retinol

1. Reintroduce retinoids at night. If you’d stopped using them over the summer, gradually bring them back into your routine, starting with just a few nights a week and building up your tolerance. Avène Hyaluron Activ Procedure Serum combines retinal and hyaluronic acid to target wrinkles, skin texture and hydration.
2. Don’t forget to moisturise. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain hydration and improves the skin’s comfort. You don’t need an endless routine: choose products that complement each other and are suited to your needs.

Change 5: switch to an anti-ageing sun cream

Sunscreen remains essential in autumn. Just because there are fewer hours of sunshine or the temperatures drop doesn’t mean exposure to ultraviolet radiation disappears. Remember that, for your daily skincare routine, you should always choose a sun cream with an SPF of over 50 that protects against different types of radiation , as all of them cause changes and damage to our skin, as well as dark spots, wrinkles or the worsening of skin conditions. Furthermore, for the sunscreen to work properly, you must apply the correct amount and reapply it every 2 hours, especially if your routine includes retinoids or acids. All sunscreens will help you prevent dark spots and wrinkles, but when choosing one, also consider your routine and the goals you wish to achieve:

• Heliocare 360º Age Active Fluid SPF50+, if your routine is anti-ageing and you’re looking to treat wrinkles.
• Avène Ultra Serum SPF50+ Instant Plumping, if you’re looking for an ultra-light texture as well as moisturising your skin and instantly smoothing out wrinkles thanks to the plumping power of hyaluronic acid.
• Eucerin Sun Face Oil Control Serum UV SPF50+, if you have combination, oily and/or acne-prone skin or skin prone to blemishes, as it regulates sebum and targets blemishes.
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 SPF50+, if you have sensitive or reactive skin, or are looking for a lighter texture.

Photoageing: why you should use sun cream all year round

Photoageing is the set of changes that appear on the skin as a result of cumulative exposure to solar radiation. Unlike chronological ageing, which is linked to the passage of time and the biological changes inherent to ageing, photoageing is closely linked to environmental and exposure factors.

Over time, this cumulative sun exposure can lead to the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, changes in skin texture, acne or the worsening of skin conditions.

Furthermore, sun damage is cumulative. For this reason, sun protection should not be reserved solely for days spent at the swimming pool, beach or in the mountains, as everyday exposure also forms part of our total exposure to solar radiation. That’s why sun protection shouldn’t be left out of your routine once summer is over. Applying SPF50+ every morning is one of the simplest ways to look after your skin in the long term.

Not sure which products to combine or how to incorporate them into your routine? Farmaciasdirect’s team of expert pharmacists can help you choose the routine best suited to your skin and its needs. Discover our range of facial care products (https://www.farmaciasdirect.es/collections/cosmetica-facial-8648) and find your favourites.