TIP 1: Reduce Your Exfoliation Or Change It Up

Over exfoliating can strip the skin of its natural oils causing it to dry out, especially during the fall season. This can cause your complexion to become dull and uneven as your skin adjusts to the change in temperature. Exfoliation is key to sloughing off dead skin cells and revealing fresh, healthy skin. However, don’t overdo it—harsh exfoliation can cause irritation, especially if your skin is already dry.

Try switching to a gentle exfoliant or enzyme-based exfoliator to keep your skin bright without causing damage. Limit exfoliation to 1-2 times per week, and always follow with a hydrating mask or moisturizer.

TIP 2: Use Retinoids for Skin Renewal

Change the way you apply your active skincare ingredients, such as retinol. While retinol is infamous for drying the skin out, it can be beneficial after summer sun exposure. I recommend using the Retinol Staging™ method during your night-time fall skincare routine.

Retinol Staging™ is a technique I teach all my patients, especially when they're just starting, to help minimize potential side effects while maximizing the benefits of retinoids. I have them break up their routine into two stages: 

Stage 1: Cleanse and moisturize early in the evening, then wait at least 2 hours.

Stage 2: Before bed, apply retinol on its own. 

Remember, don’t skip out on sunscreen. Even when the weather is cooler, the sun doesn’t hibernate, and retinoids make your skin more susceptible to UV damage. Over time, damage from sun exposure causes the gradual loss of skin elasticity, resulting in wrinkles and dryer skin. 

TIP 3: Swap To Creams

During the warmer months, lightweight gels and moisturizers are enough to keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy. However, as the weather cools, your skin will need more moisture to combat dryness caused by colder temperatures and indoor heating. I recommend transitioning to a richer, cream-based moisturizer that provides deeper hydration and strengthens the skin barrier. Look for key ingredients like ceramides, which strengthen the skin barrier, and humectants like glycerin to help retain moisture. Humectants work by drawing moisture into the skin, boosting overall hydration, and improving its appearance.

In addition to using cream moisturizers, it's also important to consider your choice of cleanser. Switching to a cream-based or hydrating cleanser can help cleanse your skin without disrupting its moisture barrier or stripping the skin of natural oils.

TIP 4: Have Soothing Ingredients On-Hand

As your skin adjusts to the cooler temperatures, it’s common to experience redness, irritation, or unexpected dryness. Having products with soothing ingredients readily available can be a game changer. Look for formulas that contain aloe vera, chamomile, or colloidal oatmeal to calm inflammation and relieve discomfort on the spot. I love Soothe HC — an anti-inflammatory medicated cream designed to soothe irritation, rashes, itchiness, and skin inflammation.

TIP 5: Take Extra Care of Lips and Hands

The thinner skin on your lips and hands is especially prone to dryness in the fall, so give these areas a little extra TLC. What I’ve found to be helpful for dry, cracked lips or hands is using 5% lactic acid and Cerave Healing Balm. Before bed, I apply the AmLactin 5% lactic acid with a Q-tip and then I seal it in with the Cerave Healing Balm. This helps gently exfoliate the lips while repairing the skin barrier overnight. 

I also recommend investing in a nourishing lip balm with SPF, like Pout Plump30, and an ultra-rich hand cream to protect against cracking and chapping. I’ll list all of my favorite products below.

Dr. Azi’s Recommended Fall Skincare:

• Intense Recovery: contains glycerin, ceramides, and yeast complexes shown to reduce inflammation. 

• Restore: with key ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, this moisturizer provides deep hydration with age defying benefits to nourish dry skin back to healthy glowing skin.

• Pout Plump30: Plump, protect, and perfect your pout with our SPF 30 lip plumper. Gentle, hydrating ingredients help achieve fuller, youthful-looking lips

• Biossance Omega Repair Cream- mimics our own sebum and has anti-inflammatory properties that help nourish and rehydrate the skin.

•  Soothe HC an anti-inflammatory medicated cream formulated to improve irritation, rashes, itchiness, and skin inflammation.

• Hydratint BB SPF 44 Cream: Yes! You still need sunscreen in the fall and winter! Mineral based, chemical free sunscreen ingredients in a lightweight formula to hydrate and protect the skin against damaging UV rays. The Iron Oxide helps protect again HEVU aka blue rays from screens.