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Seasons are changing and it is time to switch out my skincare routine! And this time I figured I’d show you everything I use in the mornings, including devices: Here is my updated seasonal skincare routine for fall!

My skin needs different things depending on the seasons – in Winter for example it needs a strong focus on barrier repair because I am on prescription Tretinoin for my adult acne – but now that fall has come my main focus is to treat the hyperpigmentation that comes up every summer due to me being very careless with the sun in my youth – I grew up in the 80s and like SPF 4 was a thing if you went to the beach – and that reappears. Hyperpigmentation always does, despite me using diligent sun protection. (More info: The different types of hyperpigmentation explained)

 

 

I’m not sure if you can properly see it in the picture above, but I have two patches of hyperpigmentation on my temples that came up during my pregnancies, and then have a lot of leftover pigmentation from acne that I had (and that I was picking at constantly in my youth) on my cheeks and chin. And of course the left overs of careless sun exposure and age spots – YAY.

So lightening this hyperpigmentation is what I’m going to focus on most for the upcoming weeks.

 

 

 

Skincare devices – bringing summer skin back on track

The first thing I do when I wake up is use my ZIIP Halo. (More info: ZIIP Halo vs ZIIP GX – which one do you need?) I prefer to do it in the mornings and interestingly enough I can stick to it much better during the work week than at the weekend, which is why I do it like around five times a week. They do have plans in the app which I like and they came up with one that is called “Post Summer Skin” that I’m currently doing. It is for freshening up everything and targeting hyperpigmentation although – spoiler alert – I don’t think skincare devices like the ZIIP are very helpful at targeting hyperpigmentation, it’s more like an overall lifting. (More info: The benefits of microcurrent in skincare explained)

I’m using four pumps of the ZIIP Golden Gel for my treatments, but you can use whatever gel you prefer. I like that one and I get it for free, but it is quite expensive and there are other conductive gels you could use on Amazon if you are on a budget. Depending on the treatment plan you chose this will take anything from 2 to 15 minutes.

 

 

To cleanse or not to cleanse? A personal decision, at least in the mornings

I don’t always cleanse in the morning: I recommend it for summer because I sweat at night, but if your skin isn’t too oily I don’t think cleansing in the morning is always necessary. But with your face full of gel after a ZIPP treatment it obviously is. The cleanser I’m using at the moment is  Geek and Gorgeous Jelly Joker (full review here). It’s just a No Frills Gel Cleanser that is non-stripping and that I just like froth it up in my hands and then go all over my face.

 

 

Exfoliation, the key to combat congestion and hyperpigmentation

No, you don’t need a regular toner, but I enjoy them and I prefer them to exfoliating serums, so even if I am not looking for hydration, I’d have an exfoliating toner in my routine. But not every day, I alternate: I exfoliate three times a week and I use another toner at the other days.

The one I use on the „other days“ is The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner (full review here). Despite the claims on the website, I don´t think this counts as exfoliating toner, it’s just hydrating, maybe a little bit brightening with a really really lovely texture.

On exfoliation days I’m using the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (full review here) that I’m going to concentrate on the T-Zone where I still get congestion and then just bring it out on the cheeks because, fellow women over 40, we all know that this hormonal beard area is an area of congestion as well. I use this one year round, but in addition I am now using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner for extra exfoliation against the hyperpigmentation, because Salicylic Acid is good against congestion, but not so good against hyperpigmentation, so I just take that one and concentrate it on the areas where it do have the most hyperpigmentation. (More info: The benefits of exfoliating acids in skincare explained)

I’m going to let that sink in completely before I go in with my next step, something that I recommend you do when you layer different things. And just a word of caution: I know my skin very well so I know that three times a week this combination of exfoliation is what it can tolerate. I do not recommend daily exfoliation with high percentages, especially not if, like me, you’re using a prescription retinoid. This is usually too much for the skin, but you have to listen to your skin and see what works.

 

 

The treatment step – antioxidants that help against hyperpigmentation as well

Once everything has absorbed completely, I’m going in with the next step, an antioxidant serum that also works against hyperpigmentation. No surprises here, it is the Geek and Gorgeous 101 C-Glow Serum (full review here). Vitamin C has different modes of action (I talk more about them here), and the fact that it helps stimulate collagen production, works as antioxidant and helps lightening hyperpigmentation makes it a staple in my routine year round. I recommend going with L-Ascorbic Acid as that has the most data behind it, but if you can’t tolerate it (it has to come at a low pH, which can be troublesome) or are worried about the shelf live, one of the derivatives might be a good option.

 

 

Eye cream – but no, you don’t have to

As eye cream I am using The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream (full review here), again no surprise for anyone reading this blog for any amount of time, it has been a staple for years and though you really do not need an eye cream I just like it. (More info: Are eye creams just a waste of money?) I like the slightly cooling effect, I feel like it depuffs my eyes and it works well on the makeup. It’s basically what I’ve been wearing for years if I’m not in the process of testing anything else.

 

 

Sunscreen – not optional!

The last step is of course sunscreen. I still don’t use a moisturizer in the mornings because my skin is combination with oily parts and it’s so humid here, like 80% – 90% humidity with the constant rain we’re experiencing in Germany, that my skin just doesn’t need it. That might be different for you depending on your skin type or the climate you live in, but for me hydrating sunscreens are enough.

Currently I’m using the Bioré UV Watery Essence Aqua Rich (full review here) which I really enjoy, but I also still like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics (full review here) and the SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum (full review here), all these are ones that work well underneath makeup and are hydrating and are what I reach for when I’m not outdoors exercising or sweating or at the beach.
I always take them around my eyelids as well in a thin layer, it’s important to find one that you can do that with, because skin cancer on the eyelids is a thing and of course the ears and behind the ears. If I am wearing something with cleavage, not a turtleneck, I’m also using a separate sunscreen on my chest (More info: Skincare for the chest and neck).

 

 

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