5 Skincare Ingredients to Prioritize in Your Routine This Fall, According to Dermatologists

I’m a sucker for fall seasonality: as soon as October hits pumpkin decor is all over my apartment; I’m swapping my pale pink lip colors for more browns and reds, and —yes—I am consuming large amounts of pumpkin-spiced stuff. However, that seasonal shift also applies to my fall haircare and skincare routines.

For most of us, cooler weather means drier and, sometimes, duller skin, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Getting on top of your transitional skincare routine can help keep your face looking and feeling its best even when it’s chilly and dry outside. But you may be wondering: what exact skincare ingredients can help you get there? Here, we spoke with board-certified dermatologists,Miriam Hanson, MD, Hope Mitchell, MD, and Christina Chung, MD, about the skincare ingredients you start prioritizing for the cooler weather on the horizon (if you aren’t already). Plus, they share tips on when, how, and who might benefit most from them, ahead.

What ingredients should I incorporate into my fall skincare routine?

“As the seasons transition to fall and winter, it’s important to adjust your skincare routine to address the changing needs of your skin and the increased dryness and sensitivity that comes with the season,” says Dr. Mitchell. To do this, there are a few stand-out ingredients to incorporate into your routine as the weather turns colder, including hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ceramides, niacinamide, and retinol. Each of these ingredients works to deeply hydrate, nourish, and brighten the skin, and they can all fit into different parts of your routine depending on your skin type and concerns. According to dermatologists, each ingredient can be used morning or night and multiple times a week, depending on your skin’s tolerance. Here’s the lowdown of when to use each and how:

Hyaluronic acid

“Hyaluronic acid’s superpower is water retention, which is what you need on crisp, colder days,” says Dr. Chung. It not only makes the skin look and feel plumper, but it deeply hydrates and helps give a nice glow. Dr. Mitchell recommends starting your morning by applying hyaluronic acid on clean, damp skin to help retain moisture and keep your face hydrated throughout the day. You can opt for a hyaluronic acid serum for this step, like the Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum ($49), or the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($40). 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another strongly recommended ingredient, according to experts. “Vitamin C brightens the skin and protects against environmental stressors, which are present in the colder months,” says Dr. Mitchell. After you’ve cleansed and applied your hyaluronic acid serum, she recommends layering vitamin C on top. We love the Ole Henriksen Truth Hydrating Vitamin C Serum ($56), which has a lightweight, moisturizing finish, or the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic ($182), a more potent option with 15 percent L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, and ferulic acid to brighten and protect the skin from free radicals.

Niacinamide

Dr. Chung describes niacinamide as a workhorse: it’s anti-inflammatory, contains antioxidants, and helps even out discoloration. Dr. Mitchell recommends applying niacinamide after your vitamin C serum to help address redness or hyperpigmentation. Opt for a serum like The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum ($6), which has zinc to help manage excess oil production. We also love the Byoma Niacinamide Brightening Serum ($16), which is laced with niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to brighten and hydrate (plus it won’t feel tacky or sticky).

Retinol

Finally, dermatologists suggest incorporating retinol into your routine this fall, thanks to its ability to promote cell turnover and keep your skin fresh and rejuvenated. “In the evening, after cleansing, incorporate retinol into your routine. Since it can be drying, follow it with a moisturizer rich in ceramides,” says Dr. Mitchell. We love the Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Serum ($48) for this because it also has glycerin and ectoin which will make your face feel more quenched if it’s thirsty. We also like the Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum ($20), which uses bakuchiol, a gentler retinol alternative with exfoliating benefits.

Ceramides

Dr. Hanson says that if you’re shopping for new skincare this season, prioritize looking for products with ceramides, which work to strengthen the skin barrier.  You can tweak your morning and nighttime routines with a ceramide moisturizer to keep the skin feeling bouncy and plump (versus dry and papery). Use the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream ($60) or the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($14) as the second-to-last or last step in your skincare routine morning and night (remember, SPF should always be your last step in the morning, year-round).

What skin types should incorporate these ingredients into a fall skincare routine?

Of course, you should keep your particular skin type and concerns in mind before tweaking and tailoring your skincare routine with new ingredients. However, dermatologists agree that most of these ingredients, particularly hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C, are suitable for most skin types. “Retinol is ideal for normal to oily and combination skin types with concerns like acne, but should be used cautiously if you have dry or sensitive skin,” says Dr. Mitchell.

Start with a low dose of retinol once weekly, and gradually incorporate it into your routine up to three times per week once your skin builds up tolerance to the ingredient. Dry and sensitive skin types should opt for retinol serums that are cushioned with soothing ingredients like this InnBeauty Project Retinol Remix ($48), formulated with chamomile to help calm redness and irritation.

Niacinamide is generally well tolerated by most skin types, but it is beneficial if you’re trying to fade discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Hanson says niacinamide can also benefit those with rosacea and offers a pro-tip: “Add niacinamide to your sunscreen or moisturizer to help reduce redness,” she says.

What not to mix with these ingredients

Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and ceramides usually play well with other skincare ingredients. Still, the experts warn you to proceed cautiously when incorporating niacinamide and retinol into your routine. “You should not mix niacinamide with alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy-acids (BHAs), as these acids can lower the pH of niacinamide and cause decreased efficacy and irritation,” says Dr. Hanson.

Similarly, retinol should not be used with exfoliating acids, and instead, the derms recommend using it on alternate days to prevent over-exfoliation. “Use retinol and vitamin C separately,” says Dr. Mitchell. She recommends using retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning because combining them can be too harsh on sensitive skin.

Tips for transitioning your skincare for colder weather

In addition to incorporating these skincare ingredients as the weather turns cold, the derms recommend switching to a gentle cleanser to prevent stripping your skin of natural oils. We love the Tower 28 SOS Gentle Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($20) for the face. It’s formulated with aloe vera, glycerin, and oat extract, so it’s super gentle and hydrating. 

Experts also recommend considering a humidifier (the Canopy Bedside Humidifier ($110) is an editor’s favorite) and running it every night in your bedroom to keep moisture in the air so your skin doesn’t dry out while you sleep. Of course, finish your routines with a broad-spectrum SPF daily to protect the skin (we’ll say it louder for those in the back: yes, you should still apply sunscreen year-round—even when it’s cold out!).

Final takeaway

If you have a solid skincare routine that you’re happy with, you don’t need to toss everything and start from scratch in the name of a new season. But, if your skin (like mine) is known to get drier and duller as it gets colder out, you can make a few intentional tweaks this fall and winter to keep your skin feeling its best.

Depending on your concerns, prioritizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, ceramides, and retinol can help you get ahead of dullness while keeping your face plump and dewy. If you get dry, you might find adding a humidifier to your home helpful to keep the air moist so it doesn’t suck moisture from your skin. And, whatever you do—don’t skip out on sunscreen (at least an SPF 30)—because, yes, you should still safeguard your skin from UV rays even if it’s cold outside.