The Most Important Beauty Swaps to Make This Fall

Some people long for summer all fall, winter, and spring——basking in the sunshine, BBQs and glowing skin come the warm months. But for me, Fall is my season. Bring on the spiked cider, the oversized sweaters and jackets, and dark plum lip stains (although I wear that lip stain all season long anyway). But even I have to admit that there are some classic skin, hair and body woes that associate autumn. Dry, itchy skin, flaky and clogged-pore faces, and lackluster locks—all unfortunate downsides to your can tag along with your favorite cozy- wool- sweater weather. But there are some pretty simple, quick swaps to make in your routine that can stop fall woes in their tracks. You go enjoy that breezy weather, let these products do the work for you.

HAIR

Did you spend summer in the sun? Of course you did. But did you know that some of that sun can actually damage your locks? Yep, just as it can harm your skin, sun damage can affect your hair, too, leaving it brittle and dry. Pair that with chlorine damage and lots of applications of dry shampoo, and your hair might need some TLC. With the cooler temperatures and breeziness of fall on summer’s heels, use this time to give your hair some much-needed TLC.

Try Masks

You can pull your hair out of its summer holiday by giving your locks a deeply nourishing treatment. Swap out weekly or biweekly that daily conditioner for a mask that truly hydrates by healing and repairing hair from the inside out. Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Seed ($71—yeah, it’s expensive, but lasts for literally years and years) repairs, smoothens, and protects—leaving hair soft, hydrated, and happy. You’ll only use a teaspoon amount with each use, so the big jar really will last years.

Or try Masque Fleurs de Jasmin by Leonor Greyl ($65), which also repairs hair internally with collagen and oils, while also somehow, magically, not weighing down even fine hair. It also has a heavenly, heady jasmine scent that lasts on hair long after washing it out.

Or Verb Hydrating Mask ($14) is impeccably priced, weightless, and majorly hydrating.

Also, fall is a great time for a trim to get rid of frayed or fried ends.

SKINCARE

The humidity in the air is changing practically minute-by-minute, and either the A/C or the heat always seems to be on full blast—your skin is not having it. Try a few of these superboosters to repair and hydrate come chillier weather.

Try Oils

Swap out that daytime lightweight moisturizer for one that works harder and smarter. An oil would be a great option for daytime—yes daytime, the right oil will absorb quickly, nourish deeply into skin, and hydrate longer. (And no, don’t worry, they won’t make you break out, either.)

I’m a big fan of Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil, $44, which harnesses the powers of a gang of superpowered nutrients. Maqui (the most antioxidant-rich fruit in the world) prevents free radicals, while acai (very rich in Omegas 3, 6 and 9) boost collagen production, and goji and prickly pear hydrate, revive dullness and fatigue, and lastly moringa tightens and firms. Combined, this crew of superfruits will create a super glow, while locking in moisture all day long.

For evening, oils are just as magical, but grab one that’s a little more moisturizing than a daytime option. Sunday Riley’s beloved Luna Sleeping Night Oil ($105) not only moisturizes and plumps skin, it also reduces the appearance of fine lines, enlarged pores, and uneven texture (thanks to the plant-based retinol blend and powerful blue tansy). It’s pricey, but they do make a travel size version for $55 so you can test drive the formula on your skin first.

Remember though, the trick to any oil is to apply on moist skin. It’s seriously game-changing.

Try Exfoliating

Another fall woe? Dry skin and clogged pores. Exfoliation is your friend, friends. Physical exfoliation (with some form of grains in the formula) is fabulous, but personally, I’m a big fan of consistent, light, at-home chemical exfoliation. The words “chemical exfoliation” used to scare the crap out of me, but take it from me, Sensitive-Skin Sally, at home chemical blends are wonderful, and the path to happy skin. Beyond just dryness, exfoliation is the key to clearer skin, too. Regular exfoliation (around once a week) can remove dead skin cells that trap oil and clog pores.

Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel ($88.50) is the best of both worlds. It boldly and effectively, yet gently, gets rid of dry, excess skin thanks to a blend of five fruit AHAs, BHAs, and enzymes. After 10 minutes, skin is clearer, smoother, and more youthful—no, really, it is, this mask is true magic.

Another extraordinary favorite is Peach & Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask ($43). The gentle, yet very powerful mask can resurface like no other, turning dry, flaky skin into bouncy, smooth skin in mere minutes.

Try A Mask

Of course, masks are great. The correct one can turn skin around from dull to plump in minutes, but given the chance to sit overnight, it can turn skin texture around. An overnight mask is a great option for a weekly or twice a week boost because it creates a seal of sorts on the top layer of your face, locking in nutrients and moisturizing while you sleep.

There is a reason the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask ($25) is a bestseller: it’s calming, lightweight, and replenishing. It couldn’t be more reliable.

But sometimes you gotta bring in the big, creamy masks to get a job done. When I really need some tender loving care, I look to Royal Fern and German dermatologist, Dr. Timm Golueke. The brand is entirely based around the superpowered fern, which is so advanced it can actually protect skin’s DNA cells. The Phytoactive Hydra-Firm Intense Mask ($180) hydrates, brightens and soothes like no other, and can turn skin around in hours when other masks would probably take weeks.

BODY

It might seem easy to stick to your summer body care favorites come cooler seasons, but dry, itchy, uncomfortable skin is actually easy to bypass if you’ve got the right products on your side.

Try An Oil/Lotion Blend

When it starts to get cooler out, I like to layer my body care as I would my facial products. I like to put a body oil on fresh out of the shower on damp skin. Body oils will only fully absorb with a bit of dampness on the skin, so I don’t even towel off before I massage in my oil. It’ll take a few extra minutes for the oil to absorb but I’ve seen a dramatic difference in my skin’s hydration levels doing this. I really love Jiva-Apoha oil blends, which are hand-mixed and beautifully scented.

Then to make it so your body really locks in moisture, I layer on top of that oil, a bonus layer of body lotion. I’ve just discovered Kayo Better Body Care and I’m never looking back. The brand was formulated to have face-grade, active ingredients—meaning the products are potent and powerful (yet natural) on your body. Their Body Beautiful Cream ($58) has actual hyaluronic acid and a complex omega blend to make skin healthy, hydrated and glowing.