Fall Skincare Swaps for Retinol and Moisture
A beauty editor outlines her seasonal skincare changes, including reintroducing retinol and switching to richer moisturizers to combat fall dryness, citing
A beauty editor is making five strategic swaps to her fall beauty routine, focusing on increased moisture and corrective treatments. Kaitlyn McLintock of Who What Wear details the changes, which include restarting retinol use and switching from gel-based to occlusive moisturizers.
Reintroducing Retinol
After pausing retinol use over the summer due to rosacea concerns and sun exposure, the editor is now reintroducing it. She plans to use a retinol product twice weekly, building to three times per week by mid-to-late fall. Dermatologists recommend this gradual approach to minimize irritation.
She specifically trusts Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream, which costs $102. The editor claims a previous tube lasted about a year and delivered quick skin improvements.
Combating Fall Dryness
The shift to thicker moisturizers is a key fall strategy. While cooler temperatures contribute to dryness, the editor notes that lower autumn humidity increases Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), where skin moisture evaporates into the air. Thicker, occlusive creams can help prevent this.
For nighttime use, the editor recommends Avène's Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream. She describes it as a gentle, dermatologist-recommended product that locks in moisture. Applying a thick layer at night, she reports waking up with soft and glowing skin.
Strategic Product Swaps
The source article compares several product swaps for the fall season. The following table summarizes the key skincare and bodycare changes mentioned.
| Category | Swapping Out | Swapping In | Key Product Mentioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face Treatment | Skipping retinol | Using retinol 3x weekly | Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0 Night Cream ($102) |
| Face Moisturizer | Lightweight gel formulas | Thicker, occlusive moisturizers | Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream |
| Bodycare | Lightweight body lotion | Rich body lotions and oils | Eminence Organics Body Hydration Bundle ($80) |
Bodycare and Ingredient Focus
For the body, the editor is moving away from summer's lightweight lotions. She cites a personal tendency toward Keratosis Pilaris and rough texture in the fall. Her solution is richer products with high-grade actives.
She is considering the Eminence Organics Body Hydration Bundle, priced at $80. The bundle includes a Coconut Firming Body Lotion with shea butter and grape seed oil, and an Apricot Body Oil containing botanical oils. To enhance product penetration, she also plans to use an exfoliating body mitt.
The editor's final note emphasizes the seasonal shift to richer textures, both for the face and body, to address autumn's specific environmental challenges.
