Nutrition Edit

The hot, heady days of summer may be over for another year, but we’re ready to embrace cosy season. Swapping swimsuits for sweaters, iced matcha for hot cocoa and light layers of skincare for more heavy-duty formulas to keep skin nourished. 

As the temperatures drop and there’s less moisture in the air, lots of us start to feel the seasonal shift in our skin. Post-summer sun exposure mixed with skin-stripping cold weather can leave our complexions feeling off balance.  

We asked our skin experts for their advice to keep skin glowing through the greyer days. Here’s how to reset and recover your skin.  

5 Autumn Skincare Tips

1. Hydrate from the inside out

Moving from cold weather to central heating can leave skin feeling tight. Keep skin hydrated by drinking the recommended 2 litres of water per day, supporting skin health and all-round wellbeing.  

Every time we wash our skin, we strip away natural oils that help lock in moisture. Avoid over-cleansing and use a richer moisturiser in the colder months to support the skin barrier.  

Omega-3 fatty acids can also help keep skin hydrated, as well as calm skin redness and inflammation [1], which can flare up in the winter months. They can also help control oil production and hydration of the skin [2], great for preparing upcoming weather changes.  

 

Omega-3 rich foods

Salmon 

Mackerel 

Oysters 

Sardines 

Chia seeds 

Flax seeds 

 

2. Safeguard with antioxidants

Antioxidants are essential to protect skin from oxidative stress triggered by UV light and environmental changes, which can lead to premature signs of ageing. Our body is exposed to a daily oxidative stress, so eating as many antioxidants as we can supports from the inside out. (Which is why we always say ‘eat your skincare’.) 

 

Foods high in antioxidants

Blueberries 

Strawberries 

Raspberries 

Artichokes 

Kale 

 

3. Glow with vitamin C

Dead cells on the skin surface zap natural radiance. Vitamin C supports cell and collagen renewal*** to keep the complexion glowing. Plus, it’s a great immunity booster**. 

During the summer months, we are exposed to more intense heat, and with busier social calendars can find ourselves drinking more alcohol and eating more sugary foods, which can negatively impact the skin. We’re not about to tell you to stay indoors and have no fun, but everything in moderation keeps our skin in balance. 

Vitamin C helps protect skin from oxidative stress*, which can be caused by factors like free radicals, poor diet and sun exposure [3]. 

 

Vitamin C-rich foods

Citrus fruits 

Peppers 

Broccoli 

Berries 

 

4. Mix hyaluronic acid + ceramides

Your skin’s dermis layer is 90% water – the secret ingredient to keep it smooth, plump and elastic. There is water inside every skin cell, held by fats in the cell membrane. When water isn’t held within skin cells, the skin can become dry and flaky. The water between the skin cells and structures depends on hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which help lock it in place and protect your skin barrier. 

 

Hyaluronic acid-rich foods 

There is only one food source that contains hyaluronic acid, which is bone both.  

However, there are food sources that help the body make hyaluronic acid, including:  

Oranges 

Kale 

Tofu 

Almonds 

Sweet potatoes 

 

5. Never forget SPF 

Our #1 skincare rule: apply SPF all year round, not just the summer months. It’s important to protect skin from UV rays even when it’s overcast. The sun might not be shining, but UV rays can still get through to your skin and cause damage when not protected. 

 

Omegas are the hydrating hero of your autumn skincare routine. Learn more about the Weird Benefits of Omegas for your skin and all-round wellbeing.  

Sources 

1.Omega-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids: photoprotective macronutrients. National Library of Medicine. Pilkington S, Watson, R, Nicolaou A, RhodesL. MA 

2.Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids. Science Direct. MeagenM.McCusker, MDJaneM.Grant-Kels. 

3. Everything you should know about oxidative stress.September 2018.
4. Oral Hyaluronan Relieves Wrinkles and Improves Dry Skin: A 12-Week Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. National Library of Medicine. Tzu-Fang Hsu1, Zi-Rong Su1, Yao-Hao Hsieh July 2021.

 

*Vitamin C helps protect skin from oxidative stress 

**Vitamin C contributes to maintain the normal function of the immune system 

***Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.