Two Simple Tips to Keep Your Skin Glowing This Autumn
As summer winds down and we settle into the crisp air of autumn, it’s easy to notice a change in our skin. The shift from warm to cool weather can leave our skin looking dull and tired, but with a few simple adjustments, you can maintain the healthy glow you enjoyed during the summer. Here are two essential tips to keep your skin looking fresh all season long.
Exfoliation: The Key to Radiant Skin
Exfoliation is a critical step in maintaining healthy, glowing skin, but it’s important to approach it with care. Many people mistakenly think that harsh, abrasive scrubs are necessary for effective exfoliation, but this isn’t the case. There’s no need to treat your skin like a dirty pan!
While some scrubs use ingredients like finely ground walnut shells or fruit stone kernels from apricots and peaches, these can be too abrasive and cause damage. Instead, look for gentler options like jojoba grains, which are spherical and glide smoothly over the skin without irritation. I use jojoba wax grains in my organic face scrub, Scrub Up, as they provide a gentle, effective exfoliation without the harshness.
In addition to physical exfoliants, certain fruits like bilberries, lemons, and oranges are packed with natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). These acids—such as lactic, glycolic, and citric—help to moisturize, soften, and even out the skin. They also stimulate collagen production, improving elasticity and giving your skin a firmer appearance.
My Scrub Up exfoliator combines papaya, bilberry, lemon, and jojoba grains to create a smooth, skin-boosting scrub that can brighten your complexion and improve skin tone. Using it two to three times a week, especially in the evening after cleansing, can help your skin look radiant and ensure that serums and moisturizers absorb more effectively. Just remember, if you have rosacea, I’d advise against exfoliating as it may aggravate the condition.
Supercharge Your Skincare with a Face Mask
Facial masks are often associated with luxurious spa treatments, but they’re an easy addition to your at-home skincare routine. I recommend using a mask once a week to give your skin a deep, rejuvenating boost. The ritual itself is relaxing, and with regular use, you’ll notice that your skin looks brighter and more refreshed.
One of my favorites is my Look on the Bright Side mask. This unique mask contains white clay, pineapple, and papaya, along with 10% vitamin C, in a customizable powder form. You can mix it to suit your skin’s needs on any given day. The white clay deeply cleanses, while the papaya and pineapple gently exfoliate with natural enzymes—papain and bromelain—that dissolve dead skin cells without irritation.
Using this mask once a week will help revive your skin, giving it a fresh, glowing appearance. For an extra boost, you can mix the powder with a drop of Bloom & Glow face oil and some Freshen Up toner for an added brightening effect, while also hydrating your skin. If your skin needs some plumping, mix the mask with A Little Lift serum or Thirsty Work moisturizer.
Once the mask is removed, finish your routine by spritzing your face with refreshing Freshen Up or Tone Up toner, followed by a quick massage with your favorite face oil for added radiance.
By incorporating these two simple steps—gentle exfoliation and a weekly mask—into your autumn skincare routine, you can keep your skin looking radiant and nourished as the seasons change.