Autumn Skincare: 5 Ways to Revive Your Post-Summer Glow

Autumn Skincare: 5 Ways to Revive Your Post-Summer Glow

It’s time to cool off. The summer sun is setting, and the amber atmosphere of autumn is starting to show face.

 

As the seasons change, your skin will too. If you’ve been putting on daily SPF (even when it's cloudy), moisturising on the daily, and looking after that beautiful complexion of yours with a skincare routine full of nourishment, well done. But no matter how careful you can be, the summer can still take its toll.

 

What does your skin need in Autumn?

In short, some TLC. Now is the perfect time to revive that post-summer glow.

 

Why do we need post-summer skincare?

Imagine it’s a gorgeous day. The sun is on your face. No, seriously, take a moment to close your eyes and envision it.

 

Do you feel that?

If you went along with this little experiment, you probably remembered how the rays of sunshine might have physically felt on your cheeks. On your nose. On your eyelids. How the light washed over your skin and covered you in a warm, balmy feeling of contentment. It’s pretty inviting.

 

But did you know, at that moment in the sun, you were literally soaking it up?

When you expose your skin to sunlight, it triggers a boost in serotonin (a feel-good chemical). Not only that, it also boosts vitamin D production and can lower blood pressure.

 

But too much of a good thing really can be a bad thing.

 

Lots of sun can cause damage, produce dark spots, and dry your skin out fast. And it’s not just catching rays that you need to worry about during this seasonal change.

 

Summer sweat and everyday sunscreen may have clogged your pores or contributed to breakouts. Plus, with the Autumn months on the way, we’re seeing cooler temperatures and a drop in humidity, causing drier skin.

 

All of these elements are inevitable. It’s how we respond to them that counts. So here are 5 simple tips to revive your post-summer skin and get your glowing skin back for the colder months ahead (before the central heating comes on).

 

 

1.   Switch up your cleanser

Now is the time to wash away all the sweat, dead skin cells and sebum from the summer months. But don’t fall into the easy trap of scrubbing with oil-stripping, water-based cleansers. You need to use something that will work with your skin, not against it.

 

If you have an oily complexion, you may think that using certain products like essential oils and shea butter is a no-no. But actually, they do wonders at balancing the oils in your skin. Plus, they clean away any impurities and residues (like SPF and makeup) without stripping off the fundamental oils your skin needs to repair and rejuvenate.

 

Our African Shea Black Soap is the original when it comes to gentle cleansing. Handmade with 100% pure, highest grade unrefined Shea Butter, Cocoa Pod Ash, and a blend of natural oils, including Coconut and Neem, it lifts away dirt, nourishes your skin, and locks in moisture. So you can feel your brightest, even when there’s less sun around. 

 

2.   Rehydrate with care

Let’s quench your skin with the good stuff. And when we say good stuff, we mean it. Drink plenty of water and make sure your whole body is rehydrated. When it comes to your skincare routine, avoid parabens and sulfates, and stick to natural ingredients that feed your skin.

 

As humidity levels drop, the air will get dryer. That dryness, combined with parched skin from the sun, makes for a serious need for hydration. Shea butter locks in moisture without clogging pores. It also acts as a fierce barrier, stopping the moisture from escaping. The result? Smooth, thirst-quenched skin that’s ready for the changing winter months.

 

Using our Pure Shea Butter is a great way to keep moisture in. This butter is whipped to a light, fluffy consistency and quickly absorbs into the skin while leaving a thin layer on the surface to form a natural protective barrier to prevent moisture loss. It’s also great for rehydrating chapped lips too. 

 

3.   Give your feet some love

Over Summer, our poor feet are more exposed to the elements than any other time of year. Barefoot walks on the beach and sandals rubbing your toes might lead to some extra dry skin patches.

 

It’s easy to forget about giving some attention to your tootsies, but they work crazy hard for us. They’re always there, grounding us in the moment. So give them a bit of care.

 

Treat yourself at home to a post-summer foot soak. Use some magnesium flakes to really help relax the muscles.

 

Then post-soak, use our Shea Foot Butter. This is your chance for a gentle foot massage, working in the healing blend of 100% pure, highest grade unrefined Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter infused with Neem, Tea Tree, Baobab and Sweet Almond Oils. This rehydrates, repairs and restores the skin, leaving your feet feeling softer than ever. If you want to do a full mani-pedi, use our Shea Hand Butter for the ultimate spa day.

 

4.   Soothe any sunkissed patches 

We’ve all done it. Staying out a little too long in the sun and realising your skin is actually hot to the touch. Some parts of our body will be more in need of care than others, depending on what’s had the most exposure.

 

Arms, elbows and shoulders are especially prone to drying out after the summer sun. So, restore their natural barrier with body butter or body lotion that will keep them soft and supple. Our Shea Body Butter is the perfect match for these areas and absorbs deeply into the skin to nourish.

 

Do this every week to work the moisture back into your body and eliminate any chapped skin. 

 

5.   Take after-sun vitamins

Your skin needs vital vitamins after the Summer. You’ve probably heard about the benefits of vitamin C, but what about A and E? Vitamin A is essential for reducing hyperpigmentation and other sun damage.  It helps stimulate the dermis. This produces thicker, healthier skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, meaning it protects your skin from damage. Since it’s an emollient, too, it helps dry skin absorb and lock in water, leading to a hydrated, plumper complexion.

 

But before you go running out to the store to get these vitamins in pill form, it’s important to note that topical vitamins often work quicker in the areas you want. Applying the right vitamins directly to your skin will allow for better results. So reach for a cream with high levels of Vitamin A and E instead of oral pills. We blend vitamins A and E with essential fatty acids to create a light, airy and whipped-to-perfection Shea Butter.

 

Skincare with the seasons

As the seasons change, your skincare regime will too. That may be due to how much time you have to look after your skin (some times of year are just busier than others). That may be because of the environment (the outside world will always affect the way our skin behaves). That may be because of the autumn weather rolling in (the change from a summer full of sunshine will inevitably take its toll on your complexion).

 

Using natural, flexible skincare that moves with the seasons is key. We are in love with Shea Butter (as you’ve probably gathered by now). Why? Because it nurtures skin with nature.

 

Unrefined Shea Butter is where we extract the oil from dried Shea nuts and keep all of their natural superpowers. We whip it to a light, airy texture so that it doesn’t just help your skin; it feels amazing on it too. It’s especially good for sensitive skin types and irritation.

 

If the idea of nature-fuelled unrefined skincare piques your curiosity, you’re in the right place.

 

Subscribe to our newsletter to get 15% off your first order and stay in the know on how to look after your skin all year round.