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When you’re heading into colder temperatures, you get your puffer ready, you dust off your cashmere, and you *should* be swapping out some of your summer skincare. With less humidity, you can start introducing thicker formulas and barrier-building ingredients (like ceramides) to protect your skin from cold and wind. Read on for our favorite products that’ll make the transition into the fall/winter season a little easier on your skin.
An exfoliator that won’t damage your skin barrier…
This serum is packed with three exfoliating acids — salicylic, mandelic, and lactic — to gently resurface your skin. Plus, it uses the brand’s proprietary complex that promotes cell renewal and supports the skin barrier. It’s also sensitive-skin friendly with niacinamide and glycerin to soothe.
A redness-reducing sunscreen that one editor swears by…
This mineral sunscreen not only protects your skin with SPF 50, but it also has a green tint that evens out any redness. One editor uses this for her daily sunscreen and often doesn’t even have to apply makeup on top.
A lightweight moisturizer that doubles as makeup primer…
In the colder months, we like to work in a hydrating primer to ensure that our makeup looks smooth and doesn’t dry out throughout the day. This one from Merit is a nice choice. It’s made with a proprietary ceramide complex, glycerin, and oat extract that leaves skin firm and smooth. It also absorbs quickly and doesn’t pill.
An oil cleanser that removes all your makeup…
In the fall and winter months, we do everything we can to coddle our skin — including using oil-based cleansers (rather than lightweight micellar water) to remove our makeup. This one from Bubble uses sunflower seed, prickly pear, and rosehip oils to effectively break down sunscreen and makeup, including waterproof formulas. We love the under-$20 price tag, too.
Our favorite red light therapy mask…
If you haven't hopped on the RLT trend yet, now’s the time. We vouch for this one from HigherDose. All of our testers noticed their skin was less inflamed, existing breakouts appeared flatter, and their overall complexion looked smoother. Plus, the hands-free wear lets you go about your work or chores unencumbered.
A simple but effective hydrating serum…
This one has been a staple in our skincare routine for years, but it’s a smart choice for the colder months in particular. Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps, and vitamin B5 can bolster your skin barrier to protect against the elements. Squeeze a couple of drops straight onto your face in the morning and nighttime, or work it in with your moisturizer.
An editor-favorite face oil for a brighter complexion…
This face oil combines the brightening powers of THD ascorbate — one of the most effective forms of vitamin C — and the calming effects of golden turmeric to give dull winter skin a glow. It soaks into your skin almost instantly, allowing you to pair it with other serums and creams without feeling too heavy. We recommend using this brightening serum from the same line to really boost your glow.
A holy grail serum for targeting redness…
If winter brings redness and eczema along with it, add this serum to your routine. Avocado butter works to hydrate, rice milk soothes, and ceramides protect your skin barrier and calm redness. Use one to two pumps each morning and night after cleansing for the best results.
A lip mask worth the price tag…
This is the most effective lip mask we’ve tried. It’s hydrating without being sticky, and gives your lips a pretty, dewy sheen. It comes in a little tub with an applicator to keep your fingers clean, and features ingredients like squalane to lock in moisture and Japanese peach to repair chapped, dry lips.
A serum SPF with a glowy tint…
This serum-like sunscreen comes in three shades — light, medium, and rich — so you won’t have to completely give up on your summer glow. It has SPF 30 with soothing zinc, strengthening peptides, and a hint of radiance that boosts your skin’s glow. It’s the perfect go-to for light coverage on natural days when you miss that sunkissed tan.
A rubber face mask with major plumping effects…
Once we used this cryo rubber mask, we never looked back. Regular sheet masks can be hard to put on and dry out quickly, but these rubber masks hold so much product and have a sturdier silicone structure that comes in two pieces, so you get full facial coverage. This one comes with an ampoule of hyaluronic acid formula that leaves your skin super hydrated and glowy. Pro tip: Store yours in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.
An oil that’ll target aging and congestion…
This retinol oil from Drunk Elephant is a smart way to double down on the nourishment your skin needs when the weather gets cooler. It’s also great for retinol beginners or those who have sensitive skin, since it’s packed with ceramides and marula oil to lock in hydration. The brand says you can use it morning or night, but we recommend opting for nighttime application since you’ll have to be extra careful with UV exposure when using retinol.
A multipurpose cleanser perfect for colder weather…
This gentle cleanser combines moisturizing hyaluronic acid and exfoliating AHAs in one gel formula that can be used three ways. Wash your face with it, remove your makeup with it, or let it sit on your skin for five minutes like a mask before continuing on with your normal routine. Unlike other gel formulas, it won’t leave your skin feeling tight and stripped.
A daily moisturizer you can mix and match with…
If you have normal to combination skin and are looking for a lightweight moisturizer to use morning and night, this is the one. It has hibiscus extract that helps slow down sebum production, celery seed extract to minimize pores, and lilac extract to mattify. On its own, it'll be moisturizing enough for those early fall days. When it gets truly cold out, it'll layer nicely over an oil or hydrating serum, without feeling heavy.