September always feels like a natural reset. The leaves start to change, you feel the season shift start to set in, and what better time to clean out your skincare shelf than the start to a new season.
As a dermatologist, I’m a big believer that an effective skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, using too many products can sometimes make it harder to understand what is actually working for your skin and can increase the chance of irritation. The goal for fall isn’t to start over completely. It’s to be more intentional about what earns a place on your shelf.
So, if your skincare collection is feeling a little crowded, here’s how I would approach a September reset.
What should a simple skincare routine include?
I like to think of a skincare routine in three categories: cleanse, treat, protect.
You need a cleanser to remove sunscreen, makeup, oil, and the buildup your skin collects throughout the day. You need targeted treatments that address your specific concerns. And you need consistent protection, particularly sunscreen, to help prevent the very concerns you're treating in the first place. I know my colleagues would probably agree with me that a simple routine is more valuable than constantly adding new products.
For me, the foundation is always a good cleanser. Purify Cleanser is an excellent starting point because it thoroughly cleanses without making your routine feel like work. I think of it as the product that prepares your skin for everything that follows.
If your shelf has five different cleansers, three exfoliators, and several products you bought because they were trending, September is a good time to ask yourself “is this actually serving my skin?”
Should I change my skincare routine from summer to fall?
Not necessarily but I do recommend paying attention to how your skin is behaving. As humidity levels decrease and the weather begins to cool, a lot of my patients notice more dryness, tightness, sensitivity, or a change in how their usual products feel, so they might adjust their moisturizer to be a little heavier and dial back on their treat steps. I love Intense Recovery Complex for the fall, for this very reason.
Small, strategic adjustments can be much more beneficial than overhauling your skin with a brand new routine. And remember, fall does not mean you can put away your sunscreen. UV exposure is still happening every day, even when the temperatures start to drop.
What skincare products should I remove from my routine?
This might be my favorite part of a shelf reset.
Start by looking at the products you know you should have thrown away a long time ago and the duplicate products. You don't need three exfoliating acids, multiple vitamin C serums, and a retinol layered on top of another resurfacing treatment. Your skin doesn't get extra credit for having a longer routine.
I would also remove anything that consistently leaves your skin feeling tight, burning, overly dry, or irritated. More active ingredients do not automatically mean better results. Irritation can actually make concerns like redness and pigmentation more difficult to manage.
What skincare ingredients should I focus on in September?
For many of my patients, September is when I start thinking more seriously about treatments that support skin renewal, uneven pigmentation, texture, and signs of aging that may have become more noticeable after summer. Here’s the catch though, you do not need to use every active ingredient at once. Think of your routine as a wardrobe, you want the right pieces, but you don't need to wear everything at the same time.
I would start looking for more comprehensive formulas that have multiple ingredients to target different concerns. For example, if uneven tone, discoloration, redness, or breakouts are your focus, Azelaic10 Serum is a great multitasking treatment. It combines 10% azelaic acid with arbutin, allantoin, and hyaluronic acid, making it especially appealing when you want to address multiple concerns without adding multiple serums.
That’s really my take on a good shelf reset: fewer products, more intention.
What should my September skincare routine actually look like?
If you want to make things very simple, this is where I would start:
Morning:
Cleanse with Purify Cleanser, apply your treatment or Azelaic10 and finish with daily sun protection. Hydratint BB SPF 44 is a beautiful option when you want hydration, tint, and SPF in one step.
Evening:
Cleanse, apply your targeted treatment, and moisturize. Depending on your skin's needs, that might mean Azelaic10, Lift+Renew, or simply Intense Recovery Complex when your skin needs a recovery night.
And that's it.
Your September reset doesn't need to mean buying an entirely new shelf of skincare. In many cases, it means looking at what you already have with a more discerning eye and creating a routine your skin can actually benefit from and that you can realistically stick with.
