The cooler weather is HERE! And I already know all my ladies in Cougar Puberty — otherwise known as perimenopause — are thrilled!
But while we’re celebrating the cooler temperatures, our skin might have a few things to say about it.
Have you noticed your skin feeling tight after cleansing? Maybe you’re suddenly getting flaky around your nose, your under-eyes feel unusually dry, or your lips are constantly chapped.
Those are some signs that your skin might need a little seasonal adjustment.
Here are seven simple things you can do to help your skin transition into cooler weather.
7 Skincare Changes to Make When Cooler Weather Arrives- Mature Skin Edition
1. Switch to a barrier-supporting cleanser.
Ladies, the older we get, the more important our skin barrier becomes.
And if your cleanser is leaving your face feeling tight, stripped or squeaky clean, it might be time to reconsider what you’re using.
Look for something gentle that cleans your skin without stripping away too much of your skin’s natural oils.
2. Pay attention to your active ingredients.
Retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids can be wonderful for brightening your complexion, improving texture and encouraging cell turnover.
But depending on the formulation, how often you’re using them — daily, a few times a week, weekly, etc. — and the condition of your skin, they can also cause irritation and dryness.
And when the weather changes, your skin might not tolerate the same routine it handled perfectly well during the summer.
You don’t necessarily have to stop using your actives. You might just need to adjust how often you’re using them.
Speaking of dryness…
3. Do NOT skip your moisturizer!
Even if you have oily skin!
And y’all know I have oily, mature skin, so I understand the temptation to skip moisturizer.
But as we age, our skin can lose moisture more easily. And cooler temperatures, lower humidity and indoor heating can make that even more challenging.
That doesn’t mean everybody needs to start slathering on a heavy cream.
You might simply need to add a more hydrating serum or switch to a moisturizer that gives your skin a little extra support.
The goal is to keep your skin hydrated without making it feel like you’ve got a pound of product sitting on your face.
4. Stay hydrated.
And I’m talking about drinking your water!
Proper hydration supports your overall health and normal skin function, although drinking more water alone won’t fix a damaged skin barrier.
Your moisturizer still has a job to do, ladies!
5. Give your under-eye area some extra attention.
The skin around our eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of our face. And as we age, dryness and fine lines can become much more noticeable in this area.
If your under-eyes suddenly look a little crepey or your concealer isn’t sitting quite right, dryness might be contributing to the problem.
Consider adding a gentle, hydrating eye cream or adjusting how much powder you’re using.
Because sometimes it’s not your concealer. It’s what’s happening underneath it!
6. Don’t forget your lips.
This is a big one.
Our lips don’t have the same oil-producing glands as much of the rest of our skin, which makes them particularly vulnerable to dryness.
And once the cooler weather arrives, that dryness can become much more noticeable.
Keep a good lip balm handy, especially one with ingredients like petrolatum or other protective emollients.
And if your lips are already irritated, be careful with fragranced products and lip exfoliators.
7. And finally, don’t you dare put away that sunscreen!
Just because summer is over doesn’t mean UV damage takes a vacation.
UVA rays, which contribute to premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation, are present throughout the year.
So keep wearing your broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, even when it’s cloudy or cold.
And for those of us dealing with melasma and/or rosacea, sun protection is especially important.
Now, here’s the thing.
You don’t necessarily need to go out and buy an entirely new skincare routine just because the seasons are changing.
Pay attention to what your skin is telling you.
Sometimes all it takes is a gentler cleanser, a little extra hydration or adjusting how frequently you’re using your active ingredients.
Your skin in midlife is not necessarily going to behave the way it did at 30. And in Cougar Puberty, it might not even behave the same way it did LAST WEEK!
About the Author
Kimberlyn Davis
Beauty contributor for Black Southern Belle
