9 Fall Skin Care Rules Dermatologists Want You to Follow

"Although summer is over, don’t put away the sunscreen,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Susan Bard, MD, FAAD, FACMS. While it’s unnecessary to apply sunscreen to parts of your body protected by clothing, Bard says you still need to protect exposed parts of your body, including your face and hands. And although the sun feels less intense during the fall, those UV rays are still beaming down, even through the clouds. 

Try Supergoop Smooth and Poreless 100% Mineral Matte Screen, $38, a weightless and hydrating formula that shields skin without clogging pores, making it the perfect year-round choice. 

“As temperatures plummet, we’ll be turning up the heat, which is oftentimes dry air,” Bard says. Don’t forget to run your humidifier to ensure your skin and mucous membranes (eyes, lips, nose) don’t start drying out, she advises.

To keep your skin properly moisturized in heated environments, try the PurSteam Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, $29.99, which uses ultrasonic cool mist technology to keep skin supple and smooth as you snooze. 

In the cooler seasons, skin requires frequent moisturization, but Bard says that a thicker moisturizer isn’t necessarily better. “Thick, emollient moisturizers tend to contain occlusive ingredients (such as petrolatum, dimethicone, beeswax and lanolin) that help prevent moisture loss from the skin, but they can also clog pores, leading to folliculitis and miliaria,” she says. Bard suggests looking for lighter, humectant-based moisturizers that contain ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin) that pull water into the skin and don't clog pores.

Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid, $12.49, provides continuous moisturization without causing unwanted breakouts, making it perfect for every day. 

“Certain commercial lip balms contain ingredients that can act as an irritant or allergen for some,” Bard says. Instead, she recommends applying plain petroleum jelly or coconut oil (as long as you're not allergic) to your lips.

If you're looking for a gentle and soothing balm that's not-irritating, Kopari Organic Coconut Melt, $18-$28, boasts a 100 percent organic coconut oil formula that will keep your pout soft and smooth. 

“Your skin tends to get a bit drier as the weather turns colder,” says Dr. Gary Goldenberg of Goldenberg Dermatology in NYC. This is a common time for patients to develop retinoid dermatitis, which is a skin irritation from retinol, he explains. If you notice your skin is getting drier, he suggests decreasing your retinol application to every other night and increasing the amount of moisturizer you use at night.

To keep your skin extra moisturized when decreasing your retinol usage, try Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion, $49, which provides 24 hours of hydration.

Goldenberg says that a hot shower may feel great on a cold fall morning, but it will also dry out your skin. Instead, he recommends taking a lukewarm shower and applying moisturizer all over the body afterward.

Dr. Roebuck's Top Stuff Ultra Hydrating Body Creme, $30, utilizes shea butter, green tea extract and macadamia oil to effectively hydrate your skin post-shower.

“Do not over-cleanse your skin,” says Graceanne Svendson, a licensed aesthetician at Shafer Plastic Surgery. Instead, Svendson recommends doing a little exfoliation and less cleansing, especially in the fall, so you don’t strip your skin of its natural moisture barrier. 

Try Monastery Rose Cleansing Oil, $39, which gently and effectively cleanses dry, dehydrated skin with a combination of nourishing facial oils. 

“Instead of reaching for the heaviest cream possible, it's more beneficial to apply different layers of products to provide multiple barriers,” says dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. Ointments are more hydrating than creams and creams are usually more hydrating than lotions, she says. Depending on the area and dryness, this can help guide which products to look for.

Maapilim Face Moisturizer, $28, is a natural blend of oils that plays nicely with your other fall skin care products.

“Over-exfoliation exposes skin, weakens skin-barrier function and, in some cases, triggers inflammation,” Engelman says.  If the barrier function is damaged, the skin becomes vulnerable to infection from microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungus, and leads to sensitivity and irritation. And even if the barrier function isn’t visibly damaged, she says that the skin may experience a low amount of inflammation (called chronic inflammation), which prematurely ages skin over time.

It's always wise to use a gentle exfoliant, like Meow Meow Tweet Face Exfoliant, $20, which uses five simple ingredients to gently lift dead skin cells and impurities from your face.