As September arrives, attention turns to resetting skin after months of heatwaves, holidays and SPF-heavy days. Summer can leave behind dehydration, congestion, pigmentation and a frazzled skin barrier, just as cooler mornings and central heating create new problems. According to experts, the best autumn reset is surprisingly simple.
Rebuild your skin barrier
“The one change I’d make is to add more hydration to your routine and ensure you’re supporting your skin barrier,” says dermatologist and Korean skincare specialist Dr Christine Hall. “As the weather changes, we go from warm, humid weather, where we naturally make more sebum and oil, to colder weather and central heating indoors, all of which will increase moisture loss from the skin.”
Hall, based at London’s Taktouk clinic, advises looking for hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan, alongside ceramides and panthenol. Rather than immediately switching to the richest cream, she recommends layering lighter products – toner or essence, serum and then moisturiser as needed.
Luke Bajjon, FACEGYM Global Education Manager, recommends adding niacinamide. “It’s an all-rounder ingredient that helps strengthen the skin barrier and lock in hydration, while also helping to improve the appearance of post-summer pigmentation and minimise the look of pores.”
For those wanting to go beyond topical skincare, Hall says autumn can be a good time to consider an injectable skin booster. She uses Teoxane Redensity 1, which contains hyaluronic acid alongside amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and vitamin B6. As with any injectable, suitability should always be assessed by an appropriately qualified practitioner.
Don't try to exfoliate summer away
“The biggest mistake is trying to correct everything too quickly,” says Hall. UV exposure, heat and dehydration can stress the skin barrier, meaning products you normally tolerate can suddenly cause irritation. Her advice is to “take a bit of a step back”.
“Get the skin hydrated, support the barrier and then introduce your actives gradually,” she says. “You don't need to scrub or peel away everything that happened over the summer.”
Bajjon points out that “heat, humidity and increased sweat and oil production can lead to clogged pores, congestion, breakouts and a dull, uneven complexion”. For a professional end-of-summer reset, he recommends FACEGYM's Intense Cleanse, which he describes as “a jet wash for your face” designed to deeply decongest pores.
Keep wearing SPF – yes, even in London
Bajjon calls abandoning sunscreen as soon as September arrives “the SPF drop-off”. “Many people pack away their SPF as soon as summer ends, but sun protection should be a year-round essential,” he says.
While UVB rays – those most associated with sunburn – are generally weaker during winter, UVA rays remain present throughout the year and can penetrate cloud and windows, contributing to premature skin ageing.
Hall explains that sun-induced hyperpigmentation involves activated pigment-producing cells, meaning protecting skin from further UV exposure remains important even after your holiday tan has disappeared. “We tend to think of SPF as a summer product, but UV exposure is there all year round,” she says.
“Hydration, barrier support and SPF,” says Hall. “The three key steps.”
