With the changing season, you need to change your skincare regime to better protect and repair your skin on a daily basis. Fall represents a new set of challenges for your skin that you also need to prepare for. Fall skin care is arguably the most important skin care of the year. It’s the perfect time to repair summer’s damage and close out the year with smooth, clear, youthful skin. Here are 12 tips to help keep your skin undamaged and clear throughout the fall.

#1 Stay hydrated

The first thing you need to do is continue hydrating your body. As the weather begins to get drier, you need to keep drinking water. Water is the hidden product in any grooming guide and by keeping hydrated you will be providing your skin with the essential moisture needed to look healthy and happy this fall.

#2 Avoid bars of soap

Ever notice how your skin reacts to a bar of soap in dry weather? It becomes dry, itchy, and dull. That’s because your skin is being stripped of nutrients and other things as you apply the soap bars to your skin. It would be in your best interest to ditch the bars of soap and go with a gentle facial cleanser instead.

#3 Get a facial treatment

Going to see a specialist and getting a full dermatological treatment can help repair any damage your skin may have picked up during summer, as well as strengthen it ahead of the approaching colder months. Ensuring that your skin is nourished and rejuvenated provides the best form of protection against drying, cold temperatures and icy moisture. Remember, the best form of defense is a good offense so make sure to be pro-active in your skincare preparations.

#4 Wash thy face

Throughout the year, it’s essential to wash your face twice a day – in the morning and evening. While warmer seasons might allow the use of some harsher products, autumn provides harsh conditions for your skin already. In that respect, it would be great to opt for a natural face wash that is gentle on your face and won’t strip your skin and beard of their natural oils.

#5 Moisturise your skin

Proper hydration is a must for healthy and youthful looking skin all year round. Keep your moisturiser in the bathroom, so that you can quickly apply it as soon as you are finished with the face wash. Apply moisturiser when skin is still slightly damp to help seal in moisture. Most face lotions are oil-based, which work well for guys with normal skin, however, if you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts; look for a water-based product.

#6 Keep your hands and feet hydrated

Often when talking about skincare, people only focus on the face, but you need to keep your hands and feet hydrated too. Get yourself a truly potent cream for your hands and feet and slather it on at least twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed.

#7 Use SPF

The summer sun may be a thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean you should stow away your sunscreen for the rest of the year. It’s important to protect against damage since UVA rays are still just as intense in early fall. So don’t let up on shielding your skin. What you can do, though, is swap your straight-up sunscreen for an SPF-infused moisturiser.

#8 Exfoliate

An exfoliating facial scrub should absolutely be a part of your fall skin care routine. Exfoliating is key because it removes dead skin cells that trap oil. And unlike summer, dead skin cells will rear their ugly heads more often during the fall.

#9 Avoid hot water

Hot water removes the protective, natural oil barrier on your skin which can lead to redness, irritation and drying out of the skin, which in turn can accelerate the ageing of skin and cause permanent damage. Instead of indulging in hot showers, you may want to try lukewarm water – it’ll be enough to stimulate your blood circulation. The occasional hot shower is fine but don’t make a habit of it.

#10 Natural face wash to the rescue

Getting a natural face wash is an absolute must, particularly if you have sensitive skin – such a product will help you maintain the balance and keep your face hydrated and refreshed. Choose the one with cucumber, which soothes and washes away impurities without dehydrating your skin, or the one with kiwi and pineapple, that’ll wash away dullness and brighten your skin.

#11 Maintain your facial hair

If you’re still backing the beard trend then it’s important to consider how to look after the whiskers this fall. Use a beard shampoo when you shower, this will clean the beard hair thoroughly and keep it healthy and use beard oil after washing as it helps to reduce beard dandruff and moisturises the beard hair and skin below. Beard balm is another essential product for men who love their facial hair. Similarly to bead oil, it also moisturises the skin beneath your scruff. However, it’s much thicker, so you can use it as a styling agent.

#12 Look after those lips

There are few things quite as irritating and painful as dry, cracked lips. It’s worth investing in some decent lip protection. A lip balm that contains SPF is recommended, as it will help keep your lips soft and protected from the autumn sun.