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Autumn skin needs more moisture and less stripping — here is a 12-step routine in order.
My top pick: When the heating comes on, skin changes. The routine that worked in July will leave you tight and flaking by November.
1. 1. Cream Cleanser
Swap gel cleanser for something creamier. Shop cream cleanser dry skin on Amazon →
2. 2. Hydrating Toner
A humectant toner instead of an astringent. Shop hydrating toner alcohol free on Amazon →
3. 3. Essence
A K-beauty hydration layer. Shop korean essence hydrating on Amazon →
4. 4. Hyaluronic Serum
Applied to damp skin. Shop hyaluronic acid serum on Amazon →
5. 5. Treatment Serum
Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night. Shop vitamin c serum face on Amazon →
6. 6. Eye Cream
For the thinner skin around the eyes. Shop eye cream hydrating on Amazon →
7. 7. Moisturiser
Richer than your summer one. Shop ceramide moisturizer on Amazon →
8. 8. Facial Oil
An optional final layer for very dry skin. Shop facial oil squalane on Amazon →
9. 9. SPF (Morning)
Still essential in autumn. Shop sunscreen spf 50 face on Amazon →
10. 10. Weekly Exfoliation
Less often than in summer. Shop aha exfoliant gentle on Amazon →
11. 11. Weekly Hydrating Mask
A once-weekly moisture boost. Shop hydrating face mask on Amazon →
12. 12. Humidifier
Treating the air, not just the skin. Shop bedroom humidifier on Amazon →
The bottom line
The two changes that matter most are a creamier cleanser and a richer moisturiser. A bedroom humidifier does more for winter skin than most products in the routine.