Your skin, which was happy and glowing just a few weeks ago, now feels tight and looks… well, a bit lacklustre. And your hair has seemingly decided to enter its frizz era.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it. And you’re not alone.
We all know the air gets drier in autumn, but that’s just the headline. The real story is a bit more complex, involving a perfect storm of environmental shifts, internal biological changes, and even our own cosy habits. Think of me as your skincare-savvy friend who’s done the research so you don’t have to…
Your Skin & Hair May Feel Drier This Autumn
The moment the temperature drops, the humidity plummets. Both the chilly air outside and the warm, dry air from central heating act like magnets, literally pulling hydration from your skin and hair.
On Your Skin: This constant moisture theft weakens your skin’s natural protective layer, known as the lipid barrier. Think of this barrier as a well-built brick wall that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When the “mortar” (your natural oils) gets depleted, that wall becomes leaky. The result? That classic tightness, flakiness, and dullness. It’s also why conditions like eczema and rosacea can suddenly flare up.
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On Your Hair: The same process strips moisture from the hair shaft, causing the outer cuticle layer to lift and look rough instead of smooth and sleek. That’s what gives you that frustrating, brittle feeling and the dreaded static frizz.
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And a quick word on the sun: just because you’re not in a bikini doesn’t mean it’s not there. Autumn’s UVA rays are still potent and are pros at breaking down collagen. It’s so easy to slack off on sunscreen now, but it’s a critical mistake for long-term skin health.
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Your Body Will Adapt To Shorter Days And The Tempreture Drop
Beyond the environment, your own body is quietly responding to the shorter days and cooler temperatures.
The Vitamin D Dip: Less sun means your body produces far less Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin.” This is a bigger deal than you might think. Vitamin D is a key player in skin cell growth and repair. When your levels drop, cell turnover can slow down, leading to a build-up of dead cells that dulls your complexion. It also plays a role in creating new hair follicles, so a seasonal dip can contribute to hair feeling a bit thinner.
The “Autumn Shed”: If you’re noticing more hair in your brush, take a deep breath. It’s a real biological phenomenon called “seasonal shedding.” Just as trees shed their leaves, many people experience a temporary increase in hair loss in the autumn. It usually resolves on its own, but it can feel alarming when combined with all the other issues.
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How Cosy Habits Could Have Negative Connotations
We all change how we live when it gets colder, and some of our favourite creature comforts can unintentionally make things worse.
Hot Showers: A long, steaming shower feels like heaven on a chilly morning, but it’s a nightmare for your skin. The intense heat strips away your body’s natural protective oils (sebum), leaving your skin barrier compromised and your hair parched.
The Comfort Food Effect: We naturally start craving heartier, warmer foods. This often means more sugar, dairy, and refined carbs. These high-glycaemic foods can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which can show up on your skin as surprise breakouts.
The Friction Factor: That woolly scarf you love? It’s not just keeping you warm; it’s also creating friction and trapping sweat, oil, and bacteria against your skin. This can clog pores and lead to breakouts on your chin, chest, and even your back (“bacne”).
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Your Smart Autumn Action Plan
Okay, so now you know why everything is rebelling. The good news is that you can absolutely do something about it. A few strategic tweaks to your routine are all it takes.
For Your Skin:
Switch to a Richer Moisturiser: Your lightweight summer gel isn’t going to cut it. Look for creams with barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter.
Embrace Lukewarm Showers: Turn the temperature down just a bit. Afterwards, pat your skin gently and apply your moisturiser to damp skin immediately to lock in that water.
Don’t Skip the SPF: I’m going to say it again. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every single day. No exceptions.
Consider a Humidifier: This is a game-changer. Placing a humidifier in your bedroom adds much-needed moisture back into the air, benefiting your skin, hair, and even your sinuses while you sleep.
For Your Hair:
Use a Moisturising Shampoo & Conditioner: Opt for sulphate-free formulas specifically designed for hydration and repair.
Make a Weekly Hair Mask a Ritual: A deep conditioning treatment will restore moisture, improve elasticity, and make your hair feel like silk again.
Protect Your Scalp: Don’t forget where your hair grows from! A hydrating scalp serum can soothe itchiness and prevent flakes before they start.
Autumn doesn’t have to be a season of struggle. By understanding the full picture of what the environment, your body, and your habits are doing, you can give your skin and hair the support they actually need. You’ve got this.
The Author: Chelsey
After eighteen years navigating the beauty landscape – from the shop floor to now – I’ve learned a thing or two about what you truly need. At Escentual, I’m here to bring that experience directly to you, offering expert advice to achieve your personal beauty goals.
My skin is already super dry and flaky. What’s the quickest way to get some relief?
That’s such a common feeling, and it’s horrible, I know. For immediate relief, try a dedicated hydrating mask. Look for one with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, honey, or even something soothing like oat extract. Slather it on, leave it for 15-20 minutes, and gently remove it with a lukewarm flannel. The key here is to add moisture, not scrub the flakes away. A harsh scrub will only irritate your already-compromised skin barrier. Be gentle!
I have oily or acne-prone skin. Should I really be using a “richer” moisturiser?
Great question! This is a huge point of confusion. The answer is yes, but “richer” doesn’t have to mean “heavy and greasy.” Even oily skin can become severely dehydrated in autumn, meaning it lacks water, not oil. In fact, your skin might be overproducing oil to compensate for that lack of water! Instead of a thick, heavy cream, look for a gel-cream or a lightweight lotion that’s packed with hydrators like hyaluronic acid and is labelled “non-comedogenic” (meaning it won’t clog your pores).
You mentioned the “autumn shed” for hair. How much shedding is too much?
It’s totally normal to lose between 50-100 hairs a day, and this can increase slightly during a seasonal shed. You’ll notice more on your brush or in the shower drain. However, if you’re seeing significant thinning (like your parting getting wider), noticing bald patches, or losing hair in actual clumps, it’s time to chat with your GP or a certified trichologist (hair specialist). That goes beyond normal seasonal changes.
Shouldn’t I exfoliate more to get rid of all the flaky skin?
It’s tempting, but you have to be really careful here. Aggressively scrubbing at flaky skin can damage your skin barrier even more, making the problem worse. In autumn, it’s often better to scale back on exfoliation. If you do exfoliate, consider switching from a gritty physical scrub to a gentle chemical exfoliant with lactic acid, which hydrates as it exfoliates. And don’t use it more than once or twice a week. Your priority should be hydration, not abrasion.
This is a lot of info! If I can only change ONE thing, what gives the most bang for my buck?
Honestly? Turn down the temperature of your shower. It costs you nothing and the benefits are huge. That scalding hot water is one of the biggest culprits for stripping your skin and hair of their natural, protective oils. Switching to lukewarm showers will make a surprisingly big difference in your overall hydration levels from head to toe.
Are there any specific “superfoods” that are particularly good for skin and hair in autumn?
Absolutely. If you want to boost your routine from the inside out, focus on foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Think salmon, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds. These healthy fats are crucial for helping your body build a strong skin barrier, keeping moisture locked in, and taming inflammation. Think of them as moisturiser you can eat!
