"worsening redness is a signal to stop and seek advice"
As autumn approaches, UK skincare experts are encouraging people to protect their skin barrier and avoid introducing too many new products.
Seasonal changes can leave skin feeling tight, flaky or irritated.
Adding stronger treatments may worsen discomfort for some people.
A specialist aesthetics doctor at Forever Facial Aesthetics has shared five practical tips for maintaining healthier-looking skin during autumn.
The first recommendation is to make cleansing gentler.
Use lukewarm water and keep baths and showers brief.
Avoid harsh soaps, fragranced washes, and bubble baths if your skin is dry or sensitive. A gentler alternative is to use an emollient cleanser.
Skin should also be patted dry instead of rubbed vigorously.
Moisturising immediately after washing is another important step.
Apply a leave-on emollient after gently drying the skin.
People with dry or eczema-prone skin may need to moisturise at least twice daily and when skin feels particularly dry, additional applications may help.
Experts also recommend introducing active skincare products gradually.
Retinoids, exfoliants and other treatments can irritate the skin.
Avoid starting several new products at once and test new products on a small area first, where appropriate.
Some products may be introduced once or twice weekly before increasing use. This should only happen if the skin tolerates the treatment.
Sun protection should remain part of an autumn skincare routine.
UK guidance recommends broad-spectrum SPF30 or higher with strong UVA protection.
People introducing a new sunscreen into their skincare routine can patch-test it on a small area once daily for three to five days. But don’t ignore persistent skin reactions.
Dryness does not automatically mean someone has eczema.
Contact dermatitis can cause itching, redness, burning, cracking and blisters after exposure to irritants or allergens.
A pharmacist may advise on troubling symptoms but for those with persistent, recurrent, or severe problems, speak to a GP or contact 111.
The specialist at Forever Facial Aesthetics said:
“When skin feels tight or flaky, adding more products can make it harder to identify what is causing the reaction.”
The doctor advised changing one product at a time and keeping the rest of the routine gentle, adding:
“Persistent burning, swelling or worsening redness is a signal to stop and seek advice, not something to push through.”
The advice was checked against guidance from Eczema UK, the NHS and the British Association of Dermatologists.
These simple changes can help keep an autumn skincare routine gentle while reducing the risk of unnecessary irritation.
