A Fall Reset for Skin After a Summer in the Sun

After a summer outdoors, skin is usually a little dull, a little dry and less even in tone than it was in spring. A fall reset is simple: clear away the buildup with gentle exfoliation, put moisture back, keep wearing sunscreen and give dark spots time. You do not need a whole new routine. You need a few adjustments before the furnace comes on.

What does a summer in the sun do to skin?

Three things, mostly.

• Buildup. Months of sunscreen, sweat and humidity leave a layer of dead skin on the surface. That is what makes skin look flat and feel rough once your tan fades.
• Dryness. Sun, chlorine and air conditioning all pull water out of the skin. In humid weather you may not notice. When the air turns cooler and drier in October, you do.
• Uneven tone. Sun exposure triggers extra pigment. Freckles get darker, old acne marks linger and new brown patches can show up on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip.

None of this is unusual. It is what skin does after a season of ball games, lake days and yard work.

Step 1: Exfoliate gently, not aggressively

The temptation in fall is to scrub the summer off. Go slower than that. Skin that has had a lot of sun is already a bit stressed, and harsh scrubbing leaves it red and tight.

Once or twice a week is enough for most people. If you have not exfoliated in a while, start with once. There is more detail in how often you should exfoliate your face.

A professional exfoliation is a good way to start the season. The Deluxe Facial includes steam, an enzyme peel and gentle extractions. An enzyme peel loosens dead surface skin without scrubbing, which suits skin that is feeling a bit worn.

Step 2: Put moisture back

The light moisturizer that was right in July is often not enough by late October. You do not need the heaviest cream on the shelf yet. Move up one step.

• If your skin feels tight an hour after washing, your moisturizer is too light for the season.
• Apply it to skin that is still slightly damp, which helps hold water in.
• Switch to a gentler cleanser if yours leaves your face feeling squeaky.
• Do not forget your lips, neck and the backs of your hands, which get as much sun as your face.

Deep winter needs its own plan, covered in how to keep your skin from drying out in an Illinois winter. Fall is the time to start easing toward it.

Step 3: Keep wearing sunscreen

This is the step people drop in September. The sun is lower and the days are cooler, but UV still reaches your skin on a bright fall afternoon, through car windows and on overcast days.

It matters more now, not less. Exfoliating makes fresh skin more sensitive to the sun, and any dark spot you are hoping will fade gets darker again with each unprotected exposure. Fading spots without sunscreen is like bailing a boat with the hole still open.

Step 4: Be patient with dark spots

Sun spots and uneven tone built up over months, and they fade over months. Regular exfoliation, daily sunscreen and a brightening product such as a vitamin C serum are the usual approach. The Spathetics shop carries a Vitamin C Green Tea serum and a Mandelic Brightening serum, and Ashley can tell you whether either one suits your skin.

Some spots are not a skincare question. See a doctor or dermatologist about any spot or mole that is new, changing in size, shape or color, has an irregular edge, or itches or bleeds. An esthetician cannot diagnose those, and it is worth having them looked at.

Do fine lines look worse after summer?

Often, yes, and much of that is dehydration. Dry skin shows every line more clearly, the way a dry sponge shows its texture. Getting water and moisturizer back into the skin softens their look.

If lines and loss of firmness are your main concern, the Anti-Aging Facial focuses on hydrating products, facial massage, an anti-aging mask and an under-eye mask. It will not undo sun damage, but it is a good match for skin that came out of summer looking tired.

What to leave for later

• Do not start three new products the same week. Add one, give it a couple of weeks, then add the next.
• Do not exfoliate over peeling or sunburned skin. Let it heal first.
• If you use a prescription retinoid, ask your doctor before adding other exfoliating products.

A good time for a facial

The change of season is one of the most useful times to have someone look at your skin up close, because what it needed in August is not what it needs in November. If you would like a starting point, the Deluxe Facial fits most skin after summer, and you can compare it with the other facials. When you are ready, book an appointment online.