Cooler temperatures and lower humidity can increase water loss from your skin, Ahram explains, leaving it feeling tight, flaky or irritated. Her biggest recommended change is “shifting the focus from lightweight products to a routine that prioritizes hydration and barrier support.”

How much you notice depends on your baseline. People with dry or sensitive skin may see tightness, flaking, redness and stinging as the air dries out. Oily skin changes less, but it still needs moisture.

1. Swap a foaming cleanser for a gentle, hydrating one

Start at the sink. Ahram suggests switching from a foaming cleanser to a gentler, hydrating formula that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural moisturizing factors. If your face feels squeaky or tight after washing, that’s your cue.

2. Move to a richer moisturizer (and consider a hydrating serum)

Look for ingredients that attract and seal in water: ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum, depending on your skin type, says Ahram. Ceramides are lipids that help maintain the skin’s protective barrier, and glycerin and hyaluronic acid are humectants that pull water into the skin and help hold it there. Aesthetician Rachel Liverman, founder of Glowbar, also recommends adding a hydrating serum under a richer moisturizer.

Not sure what goes on first? Here’s how to apply your skincare products in the right order.

3. Oily skin? Still moisturize

Skipping moisturizer isn’t the answer for oily skin either. Ahram says you may be able to get by with a water-based gel cream instead of a thick cream.

4. Keep your daily SPF

Summer is over; sunscreen season isn’t. Both experts call it non-negotiable. “Continue wearing sunscreen daily, since UVA rays contribute to photoaging and pigmentation year-round, and incidental sun exposure still adds up,” says Ahram.

5. Ease in a retinol: once or twice a week, with hydration

If you’ve been meaning to try a retinol, fall is a good time to start. Liverman explains that lower sun exposure gives your skin more time to adjust and build tolerance. Retinol “can be drying and irritating at first,” she says, so start one or two times a week and pair it with plenty of hydration.

Ahram adds that retinoids are among the best-studied topical ingredients for acne, uneven skin tone and photoaging. But there’s an important exception: if your skin is already dry, sensitive or inflamed, fix your barrier first with ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, then add the active later.

6. Make one change at a time

This is the rule that prevents most fall skin drama. Liverman warns against making too many big changes at once, because overdoing it can lead to dryness and irritation as the weather gets colder. Ahram’s advice:

Stop and reassess if you notice: burning, stinging, redness or scaling that doesn’t settle. Pause the newest product, go back to a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, and check with a dermatologist if it continues.

7. Don’t over-exfoliate (or scrub peeling skin)

Flaky skin can make you want to scrub. Don’t. “Try not to combine multiple exfoliating products or use scrubs on skin that is already dry or peeling,” Ahram says. “The peeling is usually a sign that you need more hydration in your skin, not exfoliation.”

8. Look after hands, lips and body, and turn down the shower

Your hands, lips and body are often ignored until they crack, Ahram notes. She suggests a richer hand cream and a lip ointment to prevent irritation before it starts. And as tempting as a long, hot shower is on a cold night, it can make dryness worse. Her advice: shorter showers with warm (not hot) water, then moisturize right away.

Flares can become more frequent as the weather changes, according to Ahram. Prioritize gentle cleansing and barrier repair, and see your dermatologist if your skin is flaring or you’re unsure which products to use.

Both experts point out that fall is a popular time for professional treatments such as chemical peels, dermaplaning, lasers and microneedling, partly because lower sun exposure makes recovery easier. If you’re considering one, talk to a board-certified dermatologist first about whether it suits your skin and how to coordinate it with your home routine. Ahram generally recommends avoiding excessive exfoliation and carefully coordinating retinoids, acids and procedures to minimize irritation.

Some advice works all year. Avoid tanning, don’t smoke and protect your skin from the sun; all three help keep skin healthier over time. For more everyday tips, see this advice from the American Academy of Dermatology, or update your makeup for the new season with these fall beauty transition tips. Want more ways to stay glowy as it gets colder? Here’s how to keep your skin glowing during the fall.

How should I change my skincare routine for fall?

Shift from lightweight products to hydration and barrier support: use a gentler hydrating cleanser, a richer moisturizer with ceramides, glycerin or hyaluronic acid, and daily sunscreen. If your skin tolerates it, add one active, such as a retinol, slowly.

Is fall a good time to start retinol?

It can be. Aesthetician Rachel Liverman says lower sun exposure gives your skin more time to build tolerance, and suggests starting one or two times a week with plenty of hydration. If your skin is dry, sensitive or inflamed, dermatologist Dr. Aya Ahram advises repairing your barrier first.

Do I still need sunscreen in the fall?

Yes. Dr. Ahram explains that UVA rays contribute to photoaging and pigmentation all year, and incidental sun exposure adds up.

What ingredients help a dry, irritated skin barrier?

Ceramides help maintain the skin’s protective barrier, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract and hold water. Petrolatum helps seal moisture in. Choose based on your skin type.

Should I exfoliate more or less in the fall?

Be careful. Don’t combine several exfoliating products, and don’t scrub skin that’s already dry or peeling. According to Dr. Ahram, peeling usually means your skin needs more hydration, not more exfoliation.