Summer is slowly winding down and we’ll soon be greeted by the essence of fall. As we transition from mowing grass to raking leaves and swapping summer BBQs for Halloween, we also have to pay attention to our skincare routine.
Fall brings with it cooler temperatures, turbulent winds, and dry nights. Other times it’s hot and humid. With all this variability, it can be difficult to adapt for even those with the healthiest skin. You may find it tempting to run to the store and find the first lotion or cream labeled “for dry skin”. However, I recommend that you hold your horses. A lot of those products simply provide initial relief, but you need something that’s going to prevent dryness and inflammation or address the root cause. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can keep your skin moisturized during these forthcoming fall months. Keep reading to see what four ingredients you can use.
Manuka Honey
When the fall season makes its grand entrance, you’ll want to ensure you have a supply of manuka honey. This raw honey has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it great for reducing redness, drawing out bacteria, and hydrating your skin. When applied to the skin, it’ll hold in the moisture and make it much easier to face the crispness of fall.
Good Ol’ Oats
We all know that oats are great for addressing conditions that are associated with dryness, such as eczema. So, of course, it’s also a great solution for moisturizing fall skin. Oatmeal acts as an exfoliator, moisturizer, and conditioner all-in-one. It keeps the skin hydrated by creating an occlusive layer on the surface that retains water. Plus, it has low allergenic potential and natural cleansing features because of a chemical compound called saponin.
Coconut Oil
The fall air won’t dry out your skin if you’re using coconut oil. This natural oil includes saturated fatty acids which allows the skin to feel less itchy. Coconut oil also naturally fills in the gaps found in dry skin to help smooth it out. A study done in 2014 found that coconut oil is as safe and effective as petroleum jelly for treating dry skin. It’s definitely a great ingredient for promoting skin hydration!
Aloe Vera
You can find aloe vera in several cosmetics products, but you can also grab a leaf from your local grocery store or even grow it as a house plant. All you have to do is take a little gel from the leaf and apply it to the skin. What makes aloe vera so great is that it provides moisture without feeling greasy. A lot of men apply it to their face prior to shaving to prevent dry skin. So why not use it to prevent dry skin from the effects of fall too?
You can prepare for the fall season by using any one (or all) of the ingredients mentioned above. They’re natural, they work, and they’re perfect for combating dryness no matter what state your skin is in. Equipped with these moisturizers, you’ll have no fear that Fall is near!
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About the Author
Olivia Hsu Friedman, LAc, Dipl.OM, DACM, Cert. TCMDerm, is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and treats Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis, and TSW. Olivia treats patients via video conferencing using only herbal medicine. Olivia is Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Acupuncturists, serves on the Advisory Board of LearnSkin, and is a faculty member of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Group sponsored by the National Eczema Association.