AS our tans fade and our hair darkens, our beauty routines must shift as well.
To help those of us desperate to keep our radiant complexion and youthful glow that is so synonymous with warmer months, a dermatologist shared his tips for fall skincare.
Dr. Muneeb ShahDr. Muneeb Shah has garnered a following of over 18 million followers on TikTok thanks to his useful videos[/caption]
TikTok/dermdoctorThe dermatologist often shares tips for anti-aging and general skin protection[/caption]
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, Dr. Muneeb Shah () said that with the drop in humidity, you can expect to see your skin change immediately.
“We have good studies to show that your skin becomes dry as soon as the moisture level in the air decreases,” he explained.
That’s why during this time of year, hydration is key.
“Now is a good time to switch from your gel-based and hyaluronic-acid-based creams to weightier ones.”
Ditching the lotions and gels and opting for the thicker moisturizers will ensure your skin is getting enough nourishment for a dewy glow.
But it’s not just about switching up products: Changing your bathing habits makes a difference, too.
“First, you want to take short showers with cooler water, because that will make a big difference,” he said.
“But second, those first five minutes after you get out of the shower are critical.
“When the skin is still damp — that’s when you need to moisturize.”
The good news is, even the cheaper moisturizers will get the job done, as Dr. Shah noted that drugstore brands that run for less than $20, like CeraVe, work just as well as the pricey stuff.
Besides keeping your skin well-quenched, you’ll also want to get back into some of the practices that you likely ditched during the summer.
“Because you’re getting less sun exposure now and won’t be prone to burning, you should start using exfoliant acids.”
He recommends doing so once or twice a week and noted that the kind of exfoliant you should buy depends on your skin type.
For those with oily skin, go for a salicylic-acid-based product — with Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant being the derm doctor’s favorite.
If you struggle with dry skin, a lactic-acid-based exfoliant — like Drunk Elephant’s protini powerpeptide serum or The Ordinary’s 10% lactic acid one — will simultaneously moisturize and scrub.
And if you have normal skin, Dr. Shah said a glycolic acid like the one from Drunk Elephant will give your skin what it needs.
Still, moisturizing and exfoliating aren’t enough.
The expert’s “number one” tip to prevent aging and skin damage is to continue with your sunscreen routine despite the gloomier weather.
“Even with low levels of sunlight and low UV, you’re not only still at risk for sunburns and skin cancer, but it is going to cause quite a bit of aging, redness, and increased sensitivity,” he said.
“Sunlight is really the worst thing for your skin, so wearing SPF every day is super critical.”
As for how to bring some healthy light in when there’s none in sight, Dr. Shah said one of the few skincare devices he approves of are LED masks.
“There is really good data to show that they help with collagen production and can bring on those anti-aging benefits,” he said.
This content was originally published here.
