Hello again. It’s the last week of August and I am not sure where the time has gone. I can already see the leaves changing colors in my back yard, though it is only on a few of the trees, I’m already looking forward to the events of fall. Just as the seasons change so to should our skin care regimen. Summer is a time of light weight moisturizers, heavy sun protection, and plenty of light floral scents. Fall brings about more enriching treatments designed to protect from winter harsh weather and repair summer’s sun damage.

Every regimen should vary depending on skin type, but as a general rule additional moisture is needed. This includes a heavier moisturizer, drinking plenty of water, and taking advantage of the wonderful winter plants that can correct sun damage. During the winter month’s people tend to drink less water due to the fact that they do not sweat as much nor feel dehydrated. Don’t be fooled your body needs just as much water during fall and winter as it does in the spring and summer, so keep that in mind as you reach for your hot chai and coffee. Also, sun protection is still a must during the winter as the sun does still shine and omit its rays to us here on earth. But what I find the most fun about the cooler seasons is rejuvenation. All summer we protect as best we can, but still as time passes we find discolored patches, fine lines, and unwanted texture. Fall is the perfect time to stop that damage in its tracks. Pumpkin enzyme peels are a perfect solution for resurfacing the skin and lightening dark spots. Changing to a milk cleanser from a gel or foaming cleanser, which tends to strip the natural oils, helps the skin to maintain a healthy amount of moisture with out clogging the pores. Sweet potato masks, coconut oils, and shea butter all plump the skin and help provide natural protection and nourishment. Tomato masks and tomato based serums are perfect for gearing up cell rejuvenation as well as correcting hyper-pigmentation. Oatmeal masks are a great way to soothe the skin from the irregular temperatures of heated buildings and cold outdoors as well as the irritation from harsh winds. I could go on and on.

A point I want to make after listing these items is that all of them are readily available ingredients. Take some time to freeze the fruits that will not be available during cold seasons so you have them on hand to mix in winter salads and home made smoothies. Take advantage of all the wonderful produce of fall and winter. Eating skin healthy foods is just as beneficial as placing them on your skin. While eating pumpkin may not resurface your face it certainly provides the body with wonderful nutrients to help support healthy connective tissue (which is what skin is mostly made of) and cell reproduction. Winter greens are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals; all important to the total function of the body. So remember what you put inside your body directly effects how it looks on the outside.

My final advice for beautiful cool weather skin is to do like the bears do, Sleep! Its cold out, the sun goes to bed early, and so should we! Sleep regenerates the body and is the time when the majority of healing occurs. Getting 8-10 hours is my recommendation but I do recognize that I am a big fan of sleep and others may not be able to complete such a rigorous regimen. In such a case try to get at least 6 hours, and maybe a nap.

If you are in the Savannah area and would like to have a fall facial with me, please give me a call or send me an email. I would love to meet you and help you transition your skin care regimen from summer to fall. Have a wonderful week!