Dehydrated skin in autumn: how to adapt your routine

Temperatures are dropping, the humidity in the air is changing, and we’re starting to turn on the heating. If, at the end of the day, your facial skin feels tight, rough or flaky, it may be time to adapt your routine and step up your moisturising.

Autumn skincare: why the first cold spells dehydrate your skin

Autumn is a time of transition and adaptation for our skin. High temperatures begin to drop gradually, accompanied by changes in humidity, creating drier and colder conditions outdoors. To counteract this, we start turning on the heating indoors, and our skin is exposed to temperature changes and contrasts. These changes can disrupt the skin’s barrier, leading to water loss and a feeling of discomfort and drier skin. Therefore, skincare in autumn isn’t just about using a moisturising or nourishing cream, but about reviewing how and with which active ingredients we cleanse, moisturise, treat and protect our skin. A simple routine can make all the difference:

• Use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight.
• Cleanse your skin with lukewarm water and pat it dry.
• Apply moisturising products every day .
• Protect your skin from the cold and sudden changes in temperature.
• Maintain sun protection all year round.

For daily cleansing, CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Gel is a good option for those looking to cleanse their face without compromising the skin’s comfort. Thanks to its formula rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it moisturises the skin whilst cleansing effectively. It can be used as part of both your morning and evening skincare routines.

Tight and dry skin on the face: signs of dehydrated skin

Did you know that dry skin is not the same as dehydrated skin? We sometimes confuse the two terms, but they are not the same, although both are related to the skin barrier. When our skin barrier lacks lipids, we have dry skin. If the skin barrier lacks water, we refer to this as dehydrated skin on the face. Thus, dry skin is a condition or skin type, whilst dehydrated skin is a state of the skin. In fact, what autumn and the factors associated with it do is change the condition of our skin and make it prone to dehydration, and this is where we need to take action. But, in order to do so, we must recognise the signs of dehydrated skin. Some of these signs are:

• Flaking
• Tightness
• A dull, lacklustre, less radiant appearance
• Roughness or a coarse texture
• More pronounced and visible expression lines
• Greater discomfort in cold weather or when using certain cosmetics.

Dry skin and dehydrated skin are particularly vulnerable during the colder months, so it is important to take action before winter exacerbates the discomfort.

The skin barrier: what it is and why it weakens in the cold

The skin barrier is the outermost layer of the skin and performs essential functions for our body, as it protects it from external factors and agents. It is formed by the hydrolipidic film. This consists of a proportion of lipid components and a proportion of aqueous components. As long as these proportions remain in balance, our skin will remain comfortable; however, if this balance is disrupted, we must restore it as follows:

• If the lipid content is lower, we must nourish the skin.
• If the water content is lower, we need to moisturise the skin.

Cold, wind, sudden changes in temperature, dry indoor environments or an overly aggressive skincare routine are factors that can disrupt this protective function.

It is important to understand that we must not only provide water or lipids, as required by the skin, on an ad hoc basis, but that we must also work to maintain a healthy skin barrier.

In particularly dry or exposed areas (lips, hands or certain areas of the face), it is helpful to use repairing products. In these cases, at Farmaciasdirect we recommend Aquaphor Repairing Ointment for Damaged Skin, which forms a protective film that helps to protect and aid the recovery of very dry, rough or damaged areas of skin. It is particularly useful to apply it to those areas that start to suffer as the first cold spells set in.

How to care for dehydrated skin and prepare it for winter dryness

Autumn is the perfect time to prepare our skin for winter. There’s no need to overcomplicate your routine: the key is to choose the right active ingredients, adapt to your skin’s needs and be consistent.

• Cleanse gently. Gentle yet effectivecleansing . Use lukewarm water and pat dry. If your face feels excessively tight after cleansing, this is a sign that you should review your cleanser or how often you cleanse.
• Moisturise regularly and consistently. Don’t forget to always moisturise your skin after cleansing, paying particular attention to areas that tend to dry out.
• Target the driest areas or those most prone to dehydration. Use a restorative and protective product to care for them.
• Don’t neglect your sun cream. Even as autumn arrives, the sun and its rays are still present, and so is the damage they cause. We recommend using sun cream every day of the year, and Vichy Capital Soleil UV-Age Daily SPF50 is an excellent choice, as it offers high protection and has a very light, pleasant texture.
• Adapt your routine to suit your skin type, its condition, its needs and how it responds. If you notice increased tightness, dryness or sensitivity, it’s time to step up your moisturising and protection.

Our aim should be to prepare the skin in autumn to keep the skin barrier in optimal condition, rather than waiting until winter arrives. If you notice your skin feeling tighter, drier or more dehydrated as temperatures drop and you’re unsure which product to choose or which one might suit you best, our team of pharmacists can help you adapt your routine by finding the most suitable products to care for your skin this autumn.