You’ve followed all the rules. SPF. Chugging water. Cleansing. Repeat. Yet every year—no matter how diligent you are—summer’s intense heat combined with fall’s fluctuating temps and allergens does a number on your skin. What gives? Whether your complexion looks lackluster, dehydrated, pigmented or uneven, it happens to the best of us, and it’s completely normal. Our skin needs a minute to adjust! And there are ways to cope. Keep scrolling for tips to approach your transitional skincare routine.

1. Welcome Back Exfoliation

Exfoliating ingredients like AHAs and retinol have a reputation for increasing sun sensitivity, making summer an ideal time to scale back. As fall approaches, consider reincorporating one or two into your routine. Try either a glycolic or lactic acid solution a few times a week, or a fruit acid complex on a nightly basis, like our Multitasker Night Serum. This will help clear blemishes, hydrate your skin and lighten pigment spots by loosening layers of dead cells clinging to the skin’s surface.

2. Incorporate Antioxidants

Environmental factors like sun, pollution, radiation and even cigarette smoke can trigger free-radical formation. Daily use of antioxidants can combat this oxidative damage and help reduce pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles by evening skin tone, reducing inflammation, boosting the effectiveness of your sunscreen and acting as a pollution defense. In general, the best time to add antioxidants to your routine is in the morning. If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to add them into your skincare routine, try The Go-Getter Day Serum. It’s packed with plant-based antioxidant extracts, as well as peptides and hydrating hyaluronic acid.

3. Cleanse to Replenish

Combating dehydration from sun exposure is a must for soft, smooth skin. In addition to hydrating with hyaluronic acid serum or a light face oil (or both!)—opt for a gentle cleanser that replenishes the skin barrier, like our Good Day Face Cleanser. The simple act of cleansing can deplete lipids, alter the microbiome, and reduce the skin’s ability to hold water. That’s why it’s essential to replenish your skin while you cleanse, and this cleanser was designed to do just that. Using a gentle ceramide complex, real superberries and plant-based lathering agents, this face wash hydrates without ever stripping your skin's natural oils.

4. Target Discoloration

Look for specific ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation and uneven tone associated with sun damage. A few of our favorites include vitamin C, niacinamide and AHAs, as well as plant-based ingredients like bearberry extract, licorice root extract and rosehip seed oil. You can find all of these in our Multitasker Night Serum and Fresh Start Face Oil. The best part? They work wonders when combined in the evening before bed. Top it all off with a swipe of our No Regrets Eye Cream for a dose of encapsulated retinol to smooth fine lines.

5. Act with Prevention

As the summer winds down, continue wearing SPF daily, as well as wide-brim hats while in direct sun. Besides preventing melanoma, sunscreen helps reduce hyperpigmentation. While it’s not an ingredient that actually fades sun damage, it prevents further damage and allows your skin to tolerate many of the above ingredients without causing more discoloration issues. Daily application of at least SPF 30 will help to shield your skin from UV light to control melanin production on a cellular level.

6. Recruit the Experts

Need help from a professional? Reach out to your esthetician for a glycolic peel series or laser resurfacing. A seasonal or quarterly facial is a great way to keep your skin looking healthy all year long! In addition to a yearly visit, we also highly recommend talking to your dermatologist if you’re having unresolved issues, or if you spot something suspicious on your skin.