It's no secret that Autumn is my favourite time of the year, I love the crisp morning, changing leaves and cosy evenings. My skin on the other hand isn't quite so much of a fan. The sudden change in temperature can make it act out, with increasing breakouts, dry patches emerging and generally looking more lacklustre I turn to my skincare to make sure that I can keep my skin looking at it's best all season long. There are some staples that never change (the Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing mask for example isn't going anywhere...) but other items get introduced and some removed to make my routine work better for me. Hydration is key at this time, I want to leave my face looking radiant and hydrated before I star to dry it out with central heating and chilly mornings. My skin type is pretty normal with dehydration and some drier patches being my main concerns.  

The Moisturiser: Clarins Hydra Quench Moisturiser

Moisturising should be a key step in your skincare routine the whole year round but when the weather gets a little harsher and the temperature drops it's even more important to ensure your skin is fully nourished. Hydra Quench is my fail-safe moisturiser and the one I always turn to when my skin starts to feel a little drier. It's a thick and luxuries feeling cream, perfect to massage into the skin and work in of an evening. Alternatively a little does go a long way so is perfect underneath makeup during the day. It leaves skin feeling and looking much smoother and is an essential if your skin tends to be dehydrated, no matter how much water you drink!

The Mask: Lancome Energie De Vie Nuit Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask

Often I find that a hydrating mask is just a thick face cream masquerading as a mask and I'm never really than enamoured. This gorgeous mask from Lancome is a different story. The formula is extremely light with a gel-like texture meaning that it is almost undetectable on the skin. You don't feel like you are wearing an intensely hydrating mask and yet you are. I don't feel as though I have to wait half an hour before putting my head on my pillow after applying this, my skin drinks it up in a matter of minutes and by the morning it looks and feels noticeably different. Everything feels smoother, looks a little plumper and it leaves my skin with a beautiful healthy glow. If you don't want to then you don't need to tissue this off after 10 minutes either which is a bit bonus for me.

The Lips: Giorgio Armani Lip Balm

Disclaimer: I don't think you need to have an expensive lip balm for it to do the job, that said this one is particularly nice. My lips are always the first area to dry out with a combination of the cooler air plus the fact that I'm a lot more likely to wear a dark matte lipstick at this time of year. Keeping them hydrated is essential so I tend to slather them in lip balm of an evening and also apply a layer in the morning before I apply my lipstick for the day. The Armani lip balm is a light texture with a slight pigment so it leaves your lips with a little hint of colour but nothing too drastic. It leaves my lips feeling hydrated for hours and when I wake in the morning there is still a little left behind on my lips which I personally like.

The Extra: Kiehl's Cactus Flower and Ginseng Facial Spritz

A facial spritz isn't necessarily something that you need, more just something that is nice to have. If you like your skincare and enjoy indulging a little extra then this is worth it. The Catcus Flower Mist adds a boost of hydration to the skin and is one of those products I always like to have on hand because it has so many uses. First thing in the morning it's a great way to freshen up my skin post-cleanse and work as a toner before I apply my moisturiser and make up. During the day it's nice a refreshing boost of moisture, especially when you have just been running for the train! In the evening I like to use this either in place of my toner or just before bed as an added top up of moisture. I take off my makeup and do my full skincare routine as soon as I get in from work but sometimes by the time bedtime rolls around my skin just wants a little bit more. It's a non-essential but sure is nice if you want that little extra dose of hydration.

Keeping your skin looking soft and supple in the cooler months can seem challenging but a couple of simple swaps are all you need to leave your skin feeling hydrated all year round. Work out the products that work for you, whether that is a mask, moisturiser or even an oil, and incorporate them into your routine to avoid your skin looking duller throughout the autumn.

How do you keep your skin hydrated as it gets cooler?