Three Top Tips for Replenished Skin This Autumn

October is here and it’s already starting to feel very autumnal here on the West Wales coast. With a mix of beautiful bright skies, some grey duller days and a bit of a chill in the air, we’ve been reaching for our jumpers and noticing the first signs of the leaves beginning to change colour.

Those changing leaves are a lovely reminder that October is a good time to replenish and rehydrate your skin after the summer months — as well as prepare it for the colder weather ahead.

So here are my three top tips for replenishing your skin this autumn.

Exfoliation is key...

Exfoliation is key, especially after the summer when our skin can start to look duller, flaky and lack-lustre. By regular, I mean once or twice a week - and by exfoliation, I mean a gentle facial scrub - not too gritty, not too scrubby.

When it comes to exfoliating, be gentle with your skin. Avoid anything that feels too harsh or scratchy and instead choose an exfoliator that will gently lift away dull, dead skin cells without leaving your skin feeling stripped or uncomfortable. Your skin should feel smoother and softer afterwards — not sore, tight or irritated.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are another lovely way to exfoliate your skin. They work by helping to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface, allowing them to be gently lifted away to reveal the fresher-looking skin beneath.

One tip, apply a thin layer of Scrub Up to your face, neck and décolletage and leave it for a few minutes. Then gently massage over your skin in circular movements and rinse off with warm water and a muslin cleansing cloth. I prefer to exfoliate at night as AHAs can make our skin more sensitive to sunlight immediately after use and I like to follow this with a facial massage using a facial oil. More on that in a minute!

Hydration is key...

Hydration is key to replenishing your skin after the summer. Dehydrated skin is not the same as dry skin. You can have oily skin that is still dehydrated. In general, dry skin lacks oil and dehydrated skin lacks moisture.

My key ingredient to help hydrate your skin is hyaluronic acid.

Despite its name, hyaluronic acid is actually a wonderfully hydrating ingredient. It occurs naturally in our skin and helps it hold onto moisture, leaving skin feeling plumper, smoother and more hydrated. It will make your skin look like a plumped up pillow rather than a saggy cushion that’s had the air knocked out of it.

If your skin is feeling particularly thirsty, look for a moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid, such as my Thirsty Work moisturiser.

Nourishing is key...

Finally nourish your skin with face oils. Even oily skin can benefit from a face oil (yes, yes, yes, I did just say that). I will write more about how that works another time but trust me – if you have oily skin don’t run away from oils. As long as they are light, easily absorbed and you use them sparingly, they can help to rebalance oily skin.

Oils rich in skin-loving omega 3 & 6 can be wonderful for all skin types, helping to nourish and soften your skin, support its natural barrier and leave it looking healthy and radiant.

Look for oils that also contain added active ingredients, vitamins and antioxidants for extra benefits. When you apply your face oil try and spend a few minutes massaging it into your skin as this is great for stimulating blood flow which in turn results in luminous, dewy and radiant skin.

When applying your face oil, take a little time to massage it gently into your skin using slow, upward and outward movements. Apart from helping you to apply your oil evenly, taking a few moments to massage your face can feel wonderfully relaxing — and is a lovely little ritual to add to your evening skincare routine.

When it comes to your eyes, use your fourth (or ring) finger and tap gently under your eye area and up into your brow. Use the knuckles of your second and middle finger to massage along your jaw line and over your cheeks. Massage every area slowly and using light pressure.

If your skin needs a little extra help as the weather gets cooler, I've brought together some of my favourite recipes in my autumn skincare collection.

As always, if you're not quite sure what your skin needs as the weather changes, just get in touch.

I'm always here to help you and your skin.

Angela x