Why Is My Skin Acting Out in Autumn?
- Emmaline Tsui
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
You know that point in the year where one day it’s blazing sunshine and the next it feels like winter’s arrived overnight? Your wardrobe’s confused, your mood’s all over the place, and your skin… well, your skin’s hasn't got a clue what is going on.
You’re not imagining it. Autumn really does mess with your skin. And there’s actually a good reason behind it. Several, in fact.
THE WEATHER
Autumn is chaos for your skin. The heating goes on, the air gets drier, and your poor barrier can’t keep up. One minute you’re all wrapped up walking through crisp air, the next you’re sweating in your car with the blowers on full. That constant switch from warm to cold confuses your skin barrier, which is what keeps all the good stuff (like hydration) in and the bad stuff (like bacteria and pollution) out.
So what does this cause? Flaky patches, tightness, and a general feeling that your skin hasn't a clue what's going on.
If you’ve noticed a sudden dullness or that your foundation’s clinging to dry areas, your barrier’s trying to tell you something... maybe that it needs a little extra TLC?
Try easing off anything too active for a week or two and bring in some hydrating products. I love the Forlle’d Refining Lotion and Basing Emulsion because they hydrate deep into the skin without feeling heavy. They also make your other skincare products penetrate that little bit deeper too so you can get more out of them.
This is also a great time for the Nimue Element Barrier as it will help protect the skin from barrier damage such as a change in the weather or if you're travelling and will be in hot and then cold climates. It's also great for dog walkers or anyone out and about in extreme weather to protect the skin. Click here to order.
Finally, one of my favourite products to help with dryness and irritation from the weather is the Calecim Recovery Night Complex. Yes, this is great if you've had any ablative surgery (think Fraxel lasers), but it's also super calming, soothing and healing for the skin. I've started using this once a week in the evening to give my skin an extra 'healing' boost throughout the week.
POST SUMMER PIGMENTATION
You know those freckles that “suddenly appeared”? They didn’t. They were sun damage from summer, quietly sitting in your skin waiting for the cooler weather to bring them out.
Autumn is the time pigmentation really starts to show up. The tan fades, but the dark patches stick around and suddenly become a lot more noticeable.
Now’s the time to start a gentle brightening routine. I like the SkinBetter Science EvenTone or Nimue Fader range because they’re clever enough to fade marks without inflaming your skin. Remember, the goal isn’t to bleach your face at all, it’s to calm inflammation and even tone and complexion.
And yes, SPF is still non-negotiable. Nimue SPF 40 or 50 Environmental Shield and Revision Intellishade SPF 45 are perfect because UVA rays (the ageing ones) are the same all year round. Click here to order
HORMONES
Autumn hormones can be causing problems too. As daylight hours shorten, your body produces less serotonin and more melatonin, which can affect mood, sleep, and skin. If you’re peri-menopausal or menopausal, that imbalance can hit harder. So cue dryness, breakouts, or even random redness that wasn’t there in August.
Support your skin from the inside too. I always recommend Skinade to help boost collagen and hydration from within, especially when the central heating starts to really dry the skin from the outside in.
SLEEP & STRESS
Let’s be honest, autumn isn’t all cosy gingerbread lattes and cosy nights. It’s also back-to-school energy, pre-Christmas chaos, and “where did the year go?” panic. Stress raises cortisol, which raises oil production, which raises the likelihood of breakouts. You see where I’m going with this?
A few small tweaks make a big difference: earlier nights, proper hydration, and even five minutes of stillness. My Skin Meditation Club was born from this exact chaos, it’s proof that calming your mind can calm your skin too.
WHAT TO DO
If your skin’s having a freak out right now, here’s where to start:
Swap stripping cleansers for gentle ones like the Nimue Cleansing Gel or my Cleansing Beauty Balm.
Bring in a weekly Nimue Exfoliating Enzyme treatment to lift dead skin without scrubbing.
Hydrate, inside and out with Forlle’d, Skinade, and a big glass of water (always).
Protect with SPF every single day, even when it’s grey.
And if in doubt, fill out a Skin Check In form so I can help you rebuild your routine before it spirals into full winter chaos.
So even if your skin’s playing up now, don’t panic. It’s not going to last forever, it’s adapting. Autumn is simply the reminder that your skincare needs a switch up to keep up. Swap your linen for knitwear, your iced matcha for hot drinks, and your lightweight gel for something a little more nourishing.
I promise your skin will thank you by Christmas.
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
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