And so, the summer is over. As much as we will miss the longer days and warmer nights, we are ecstatic to swap our linen attire for some cozy cashmere. But your wardrobe is not the only thing that needs a reshuffle, your skincare drawer should be getting one too. Why? Well, most our avid readers should already know what we will say next. But for those new to the Embassy of Beauty blog, there is one commandment we swear by. And that is skin, just like the weather, is in constant change.  

Different Skin Types

There are of course four main skin types; oily, dry, combination and normal. But under those headings, there are thousands of different subtypes that can come into play. For example, you may wake up feeling dry, due to sleeping in a highly air-conditioned room. Only to go about your business and see a visible oily sheen by mid-day. Or your skin is usually normal most days. But then you eat a spicy meal and notice a prolonged red flush in your cheeks. Regardless of the category your skin may fall under this autumn, you should remember that it is not a lifelong or even yearlong heading. Yes, having an idea of your general skin type makes it easier to select products. But understanding that your skin is always changing allows you to select the RIGHT products for its needs at any moment. 

TEWL

And as we enter the colder periods of the year, the onset of lower temperatures will influence how your skin behaves. When the thermostat drops, and humidity decreases alongside, the weather changes can lead to an increase of trans epidermal water loss, also known as TEWL. TEWL occurs when water evaporates from the skin and into the environment. This process occurs naturally, however during the colder seasons, it tends to speed up as the air holds less moisture. Thus, sucking water from our skin, leaving it dry and flaky. To make things worse, as soon as we can escape the chill of the outdoors, we turn up the heating inside, creating a constant fluctuation in our skins balance. Yet even though the weather impacts all skin types, it obviously does it in diverse ways. For those with usually oily skin, you may notice there is less sebum as the weather cools. While those with dry skin can experience a more prominent effect on their skins ability to retain moisture.  

Essential Step: Cleansing

Luckily, we have a wonderful tip to determine how your skin is reacting to the new season. And it is something you already do. Cleanse. Come autumn though, we recommend the Biologique Recherche Lait VIP 02 for this essential self-care step. This detoxifying milk cleanser will get rid of environmental pollutants without stripping your skin of its natural oils. It also features an oxygenating complex, that imbues skin with a “lit from within glow,” due to its circulation boosting properties.  

Cleansing is important at the start of a new season because it will give you a sense of where your skin is at in that moment. Once free of topical products, sunscreen, and makeup, you should allow your skin to air dry, taking notice of how it feels during the drying process. Is it tighter than it was a month ago? Or are you noticing a bit of texture? These subtle changes will guide you in picking up the right products to layer after your cleanse. At this juncture, we come to another similarity between your autumn wardrobe and your cosmetic cupboard. What do a vest, henley, cardigan, and that tartan have in common? You wear them all at once as soon as the leaves begin to drop. Of course, how you LAYER them makes a stark difference between fashion do’s and don’ts. And just like you follow Anna Wintour’s tips, we want you to pay close attention on how to properly layer your skincare products for maximum efficiency. 

The key is quite simple, and it all boils down to consistency. The lighter products, just like your vest or tank top, come first. In our skincare regimen, the thinnest product is usually our toners, mists, or essences. These liquid concoctions contain a plethora of benefits, and depending on the season or concern, the one you reach for can make a world of difference. 

A Toner For Flakiness

With dryer skin comes an uptick in flakiness. This can impact the texture of skin, while also increasing the risk of clogged pores that can lead to breakouts in the acne prone. Ayuna Essence is a multifunctional treatment that gently but effectively exfoliates dead skin cells. Containing poly hydroxy acid and gluconolactone acids, it sloughs away flaky skin while also boosting skins hydration. Its inclusion of peptides further balances the microbiome, which can become impaired due to the atmospheric changes between the outdoors and our abodes in autumn. We recommend twice weekly application, to keep the flaking at bay. For daily use, Biologique Recherche Lotion P50V is amazing at supporting skin rejuvenation through its trifecta of alpha, beta, and poly hydroxy acids. It also contains antioxidants from horse radish, and vitamins such as niacinamide, all which provide a regenerating boost. While walnut extract further smooths and tones facial contours. Think of it as a daily multivitamin for your skin, one that fortifies your epidermal barrier against the autumn chill.  

Layering Your Skincare

Now, we’re not trying to confuse our cherished beauty ambassadors. But we need to clarify one little thing. As we mentioned earlier, the focus on layering should be with product consistency. However, this applies only to leave on products. When it comes to cleansers and masks, obviously they will be washed off, and thus cannot follow the layering rule. Another factor to consider is if you are using an oil or water-based serum. In those scenarios, the key is hydrate then moisturise (more on that later). 

Masking After Toning

Here at Embassy of Beauty, we like to mask after we tone. This is because when you use an exfoliating toner or essence, it helps to unglue dead cells, while also balancing out the pH of your skin. This enables the mask to penetrate skin even deeper, ensuring you reap its full benefits. And with Ayuna Balm K, there are oh so many benefits to indulge in. The creamy textured mask feeds the skin via a smoothie of ingredients. Broccoli sprouts combat the glycation process, a huge factor in visible skin ageing. Glycation occurs when sugar binds to skins proteins (collagen), lipids or DNA, forming Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). This causes a change in the structure and function of skin, leading to a decrease in elasticity and an increase in dullness. Balm K targets this process, making it a must have in a season brimming with pumpkin spiced lattes. The added Tasmanian pepper also soothes inflammation, calming wind induced redness for a more even toned complexion. You should aim to mask twice a week, ideally at night to allow your skin to fully renew while you sleep.  

Hydrating vs Moisturising

Earlier in the article, we explained how TEWL effects skin. It is important to keep skin hydrated, thereby reducing the impact of TEWL. Hydration boils down simply to how much water your skin holds. While moisture is the amount of lipids it contains. Many consumers get these terms confused with each other, resulting in the wrong use of products. Luckily for our beauty ambassadors, we have an arsenal of knowledge and shelves full of hydrating products. Not only will these aid in reducing the TEWL process, but plump and rejuvenate your skin along the way.

One of our favourites, Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Irene Forte, packs a skin hydrating punch on multiple epidermal levels. While hyaluronic acid can be found everywhere and anywhere these days, a lot of beauty users are unaware that the superpower ingredient comes in various forms. Most are familiar with the gel textured variety of hyaluronic acid, also the most generic form. Its high molecular weight prevents it from penetrating skin, forming a protective barrier. This layer also allows it to draw moisture from the atmosphere, and superficially deliver hydration to your skin cells.  

The Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Irene Forte contains the famous High Weight HA (1500-1800KDA) allowing you to experience the immediate skin hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid. But it also contains Low Weight HA (20-70KDA). This form can penetrate the skin, allowing deeper levels of hydration. It also enhances the functions of skin, allowing it to protect itself from chilly winds and baking thermostats. Included as well is Ultra-Low HA (2-10KDA). It goes even further into skin than the rest, helping to repair damage. This results in a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also capable of plumping the skin, giving it a youthful bounce with regular use. All these benefits are formulated to be lightweight, but provide large, protective results. Much like the thermal underwear some of us are bringing out of storage.  

A Richer Serum

When the sun sets however, reaching for a slightly richer serum can provide enhanced benefits. The Irene Forte Hibiscus Serum with Myoxinol™ contains organic olive oil and a blend of barrier repairing ceramides. While the Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum focuses on providing maximum hydration, the Hibiscus Serum is not only hydrating, but also deeply nourishing.  

While hydration is all about water, nourishment is all about lipids. Both are essential for healthy skin; however, the key is balance and determining when to administer which. As you sleep, skin enters repair mode, and a richer serum such as The Irene Forte Hibiscus Serum with Myoxinol™ provides skin with essential nutrients to further renew itself. Green tea polypeptides increase collagen and elastin, reducing the appearance of sagging skin. Patented Myoxinol, derived from hibiscus seeds, works similarly to Botox. It helps to limit muscle contractions, allowing skin to relax and reverse fine lines and wrinkles. 

Providing A Protective Layer On The Skin

No matter how active packed your serum is, layering it with an effective moisturiser ensures you keep all that goodness within for as long as possible. Moisturisers are formulated to provide a protective layer on the skin, keeping hydration and nutrients in, without suffocating your pores. Think of them as a chic trench coat for your visage. Venn’s Vitamin B Activated All-In-One Concentrate is the perfect accompaniment to tackle rainy autumn afternoons. Utilising proprietary Concentric Technology, this powerhouse contains not only the popular B3 (AKA Niacinamide) but also B1 (Thiamine HCL), B2 (Riboflavin), B5 (Panthenol), B7 (Biotin), and B9 (Folic Acid) plus 11 amino acids to strengthen skin against the season beyond.  

Locking It In

Sealing your nightly serum with an intensive coat of the Definitive Restoration Cream by Auteur is bound to give your skin a boost this Autumn. Housed in a gemstone capped enclosure, this luxurious moisturiser is chock full of peptides that increase growth factor renewal. This process is essential to limiting the visible effects of skin ageing, thereby reversing years of damage whilst actively fighting against further onslaughts to your skin.  

Nothing is more constant than change. Switching out your skincare cupboard at the start every season may seem wasteful, but bear in mind that most products are meant to be used within 3-6 months. Keeping that in mind, reassess your skins needs when the weather takes a different turn, and in turn, watch your skin bloom beautifully all year round. 

Thank you for reading, and we look forward to seeing you soon.