Fall Skincare Tips

Fall is right around the corner, which means not only adjusting your wardrobe, but also your skincare routine. Daniel Hekman, MD, an Indianapolis family physician with Franciscan Health who has a special interest in skin care, answers questions about fall skincare.

Key Takeaways: Fall Skincare

• Sunscreen remains essential even in fall and winter. UV rays will continue to penetrate through windows and clouds year-round. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a daily sunscreen with SPF of at least 30, and SPF 60 or higher for outdoor activities with stronger sun exposure.
• As humidity drops with cooler temperatures, adding a humidifier to your home is highly recommended to help counteract the drying effects of cold air on the skin.
• Proper face washing technique matters as much as frequency. The American Academy of Dermatology advises using lukewarm water and fingertips only, resisting the urge to scrub, and limiting washing to twice a day, plus after sweating, since over-washing and irritation can worsen skin conditions.
• Perspiration trapped under hats or helmets can irritate the skin, so it's important to wash skin as soon as possible after heavy sweating — a simple but often overlooked step in maintaining a healthy fall skincare routine.

Do I Really Need To Use Sunscreen In The Fall?

Wearing sunscreen is the most important topical therapy for people to remember. Even though the sun is not as strong as it is in the summer, we are still exposed to sun while driving when these rays penetrate through windows or playing outdoors. Wearing sunscreen year-round will help protect you from radiation sun damage, which can lead to skin cancer and wrinkles.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using a daily sunscreen with moisturizer in the fall and winter, with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30, which blocks a high percentage of the sun's UVB rays.

“Remember that a high-number SPF (at least 60) is strongly recommended when you’ll be exposed to stronger sun rays during activities such as alpine skiing,” Dr. Hekman said. “Even with a high-number SPF sunscreen, you need to reapply about every two hours when outdoors, even on cloudy days, because a large percentage of UV rays can pass through clouds.”

How Should I Wash My Face?

“You should be washing your face with a very gentle and mild cleanser,” Dr. Hekman said. “These cleansers can be found in your local drugstores. Avoid abrasive cleansers, as these increase the occurrence of whiteheads and are not good for the skin. Exfoliating cleansers can also damage the skin by stripping off its natural protective barrier. In turn, the face can become very dry and irritated, which may be a triggering factor for eczema.”

For people considering chemical peels, consulting a dermatologist first is strongly recommended.

Washing the face and the body with very hot water can also strip away the skin’s natural moisturizing factors. A comfortable temperature, avoiding extremes such as water that is too cold or too hot, during showering or bathing, is best for maintaining skin health.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association provides tips for washing your face, including:

• Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Using a mesh sponge or scrub, or anything other than your fingertips, can irritate your skin.
• Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
• Limit washing to twice a day and after sweating. Wash your face once in the morning and once at night, as well as after sweating heavily. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, irritates the skin. Wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.

Do I Need to Run A Humidifier?

As the cold weather approaches, the humidity starts to drop low, so using a humidifier is highly recommended. It is also important to make sure any humidifiers are clean and free of mold. Having a humidity indicator in your home will help you monitor the humidity levels. A good range for healthy skin is between 30-50%. Pick the range you are comfortable with.

What Should I Look for in My Moisturizer?

“Your moisturizer should have certain common ingredients,” Dr. Hekman said. “The first is always water, then a humectant called glycerin, to help retain water in the skin. There is always a soothing occlusive agent like cyclomethicone or dimethicone to keep the water from evaporating to the air. A thick occlusive agent such as petroleum jelly may sometimes be incorporated.”

Other ingredients to look for include:

• Urea
• Hyaluronic acid
• Alpha hydroxy acid (e.g., lactic acid).

Some moisturizers may also include a very minute concentration of proprietary ingredients.

Avoid using topical products with perfume. Scented products may cause contact dermatitis (skin rash).