Each year as the leaves begin changing and falling around me, the skincare routine I meticulously followed all summer begins to cause issues. My skin feels tight, and I start to notice red bumps and splotches. Despite knowing that this happens every year, the initial days cause an internal freakout – is my acne coming back? Am I having a reaction? WHY is this happening? I've dealt with sensitive skin since I was a five year old running around all summer with itchy and inflamed eczema patches. So while the changing seasons may be fun and festive for most, they wreak havoc on my skin.
This inevitable reaction, like clockwork each year, signifies that it is time for me to update my routine to account for the drier and colder weather. For me, this means a lot more hydration and a lot less exfoliating. Over the summer I am able to use a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid almost daily with no issue. In the winter? One day of salicylic acid can leave my skin bright red and burning (my skin is clearly very dramatic). So, as we reach the middle of October, I place my order for my “winter skincare.”
Cleanser
I tend to use a pretty gentle cleanser year round, but during the winter I ensure that my cleanser also has moisturizing properties (have I mentioned my skin gets dry?) Personally, I’m not someone who thinks an expensive cleanser is necessary. So for this I walk to my local CVS. My current favorites are the Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser and the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser. Both under $11.00 and both get the job done.
Hydrating & balancing toner
During the cooler and drier months I also prioritize implementing a calming toner. Because I tend to limit most actives during these months, I love using a toner or mist to hydrate, calm, and balance my skin before my moisturizer. My favorite of these toners is the EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner that is designed specifically with sensitive and acne-prone skin in mind. And, when I inevitably do deal with redness, breakouts, or stressed out skin, I will also incorporate the Fridge to Face Blemish Defense Cooling Mist by Sofie Pavitt which soothes and balances my skin without drying it out.
Gentle exfoliation
Perhaps unsurprisingly, my skin can’t handle much in terms of exfoliation during the dry and cold months, so I replace my usual salicylic and glycolic acid based products with gentler exfoliants like fruit acids or mandelic acid. My favorite fruit-acid infused toner for very gentle exfoliation is the SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner which also includes calming ingredients like aloe and chamomile to soften and hydrate the skin. Mandelic acid, while a bit stronger, is great for me to use a few times to prevent and treat any breakouts. Again, I like to find a product that both exfoliates and hydrates to avoid overly-stripping my skin. Recently, I’ve been turning to the Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum which not only includes mandelic acid as a gentle exfoliant but also includes hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and panthenol to calm and nourish the skin.
Moisturizer
As someone with both acne-prone and sensitive skin, winter skincare can often be a challenge. Most of the thicker, repairing moisturizers are filled with pore-clogging ingredients–shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, or the dreaded algaes. This means I often spend hours scouring the internet for a thicker moisturizer that won’t break me out. This year I turned to the Omega Rich Moisturizer by Sophie Pavitt Face which is a rich moisturizer specifically designed for people with acne-prone skin.
A little more hydration, a little less panic
Every year, I have to remind myself that my skin needing something different doesn’t mean I’m back at square one. After dealing with acne and sensitivity for so long, it’s easy for one red patch or a few bumps to send me into a spiral (and straight to the skincare aisle). But I’ve learned that this is usually my cue to ease up on exfoliation and give my skin a little more hydration. I’ll probably still have my annual October freakout next year, but at least I’ll know it might be time to reorder my moisturizer.