Autumn Skin

This fall, put your best face forward with your best skin.

By Mary Catherine Brutz

For the busy working woman, concentrating on skincare can easily get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. With so many products available promising great results, reduced wrinkles and minimal steps, it’s hard to determine what to buy and which steps really matter – and which will get the best results in the least amount of time.

Here, Kathy Fields, M.D., partner at Rodan + Fields Dermatologists in San Francisco and co-creator of Proactiv Solution, shares the crucial steps and how to transition your skincare routine from one season to the next.

Exfoliate

By the end of the summer, your skin may be dry, flaky and uneven. Rejuvenate your skin by exfoliating regularly with cleansers containing polyethylene grains or beads, alpha hydroxy acids, acetyl glucosomine and retinol, as well as the best home microdermabrasion machine. (She likes Vivant BP Cleanser, Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Ageless Daily Exfoliating Cleanser and Oil of Olay Difinity Illuminating Cream Cleanser.)

Zap Your Zits

Acne-prone women may see an increase in breakouts as the lazy, stress-free days of summer come to an end. Consider pumping up your skin routine to twice a day.

Two-in-One

Products that combine steps, such as cleanser-toner-in-ones, are a good idea to save time if you have normal skin. “But people who are trying to fix problems such as dry or oily skin may need to break up each step to get effective treatment,” Fields says.

An Ounce of Prevention

If you do nothing else, remember the golden rule of skincare: Wear sunscreen. “Everything else is a waste of time if you don’t sun-protect,” Fields says. “One thing to keep in mind is that the first time you use your phone in the morning, that sunscreen is probably gone. You need to make sure you reapply during the day.” Consider purchasing pressed powders that contain spf for daily use.

Balance Your Diet

A common myth is that eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, will help your skin’s appearance. “There is no connection with eating certain foods to making your skin look better,” Fields says. “It’s important to maintain an overall healthy diet because your skin holds up the more you hold up.”

Sweet Dreams

Don’t fret if you’re too tired at night and don’t feel like washing off your makeup. According to Fields, “It’s nice if you can wash your face at night, but nothing horrible, like getting wrinkles, will happen if you don’t.”

But don’t sleep on your face. In your 30s and 40s, you lose the fat pads in your face, which cushion your skin. “Every sleep crease becomes permanent, and our skin starts to etch,” Fields says. Her solution? Learn to sleep on your back if you can.