Why Your Skin Feels Drier in Autumn (and How to Fix It)

skin treatments for dry skin

As the seasons shift and cooler weather sets in, many of us start noticing changes in our skin—tightness, flakiness, dullness. Sound familiar? Autumn is beautiful, but it also marks the beginning of the dry skin season.

If you’ve been wondering why your once-glowy summer skin feels parched come autumn, you're not alone. Drier, dehydrated skin isn’t just uncomfortable—it can also lead to premature ageing. Without proper hydration, fine lines and wrinkles become more visible, and the skin’s barrier weakens over time. Plus, let’s be honest: dry, scaly skin makes makeup application a nightmare. Foundation clings, flakes show, and that dewy finish? Not happening.

Here’s what’s really going on with your skin during autumn—and more importantly, how to fix it.

Why Does Autumn Dry Out Your Skin?

1. Cooler Air Means Less Humidity
When temperatures drop, so does the moisture in the air. This lack of humidity causes water to evaporate from your skin more quickly, leaving it dehydrated and unbalanced. Cold air also tends to be windy—and wind can whip away surface moisture from your skin, causing even more dryness and irritation.

2. Indoor Heating Drains Moisture
Heaters make indoor spaces feel warm and cosy, but they also dry out the air, which pulls moisture from your skin—especially overnight. The result? Skin that feels tight, rough, or flaky, even if you’re moisturising.

3. Long, Hot Showers Can Strip Your Skin
We get it—steamy showers are hard to give up when it’s chilly out. But hot water can break down the skin’s natural barrier and strip away essential oils, increasing dryness and sensitivity. To make matters worse, many of us naturally drink less water during the cooler months, which means our skin isn’t getting the hydration it needs from the inside out either.

How to Lock In Moisture Like a Pro

Here’s how to fight back against seasonal dryness and keep your skin hydrated and glowing through the colder months.

Ingredients That Work Overtime

Ceramides
These naturally occurring lipids help strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and shielding against environmental damage.

Hyaluronic Acid
A hydration heavyweight, hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It draws moisture into the skin, helping it appear plump and refreshed.

Squalane
Lightweight yet nourishing, squalane mimics your skin’s natural oils, delivering hydration without clogging pores.

Glycerin
A powerful humectant, glycerin attracts water to the skin’s surface, improving softness and smoothing rough texture.

Treatments That Take It Further

Sometimes, your skincare routine needs a seasonal boost. Dry, flaky skin often creates a barrier that prevents your serums and moisturisers from fully absorbing. That’s why gentle exfoliation is key—removing dead skin cells not only smooths your texture but allows hydrating products to actually do their job. Whether it’s at home or in the salon, consistent exfoliation followed by targeted hydration is one of the most effective ways to combat autumn dryness.

At home, incorporating a gentle exfoliant—like any of the Daily Foliants from Dermalogica—can make a huge difference. Follow with a hydrating serum while the skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture and maximise absorption.

For deeper, long-lasting results, professional treatments are your skin’s best friend this season:

Hydrating Facials
A professional facial designed to boost moisture levels can calm inflammation, restore balance, and strengthen your skin’s barrier. Think of it as a reset for your skin. At Esstudio, we offer several hydration-focused treatments, including:

• Luminfusion – a glow-inducing treatment that combines exfoliation and deep hydration.

• Multivitamin Skin Treatment – packed with antioxidants and moisture-rich ingredients for replenished, radiant skin.

• Dermaplaning – gently removes dead skin and peach fuzz, followed by deeply hydrating serums and masks to supercharge your results.

Lactic Acid or Enzyme Peels
These gentle peels are ideal for sloughing off dry, flaky buildup that accumulates during the cooler months. By smoothing the surface and encouraging cell turnover, they allow your skincare to penetrate more effectively and help you regain that glow.

Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy works on a deeper level to stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and support overall skin health. It's especially beneficial for dry, sensitive, or reactive skin going through seasonal changes.

Your Autumn Skincare Checklist

• Switch to a cream based cleanser
  Gel or foaming cleansers can be a bit harsh when the weather cools down. A creamy, nourishing cleanser will help remove dirt and makeup without stripping your skin dry.

• Layer serums or oils under your moisturiser at night
  This helps give your skin an extra hydration boost while you sleep. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane or ceramides to keep your skin plump and protected.

• Use a humidifier overnight
  As we crank up the heating, the air indoors gets drier—and so does our skin. Running a humidifier while you sleep can help maintain moisture levels and prevent that uncomfortable tight, dry feeling in the morning.

• Book a seasonal or monthly facial or peel to replenish and renew (at Esstudio!)
  If your skin’s not coping with the cold and wind, monthly facials are a great way to reset, rehydrate and restore balance. Our favourite hydration-focused treatments at Esstudio include Luminfusion, the new Multivitamin Skin Treatment, and Dermaplaning with nourishing serums and masks.

• Exfoliate regularly (gently does it)
  Imagine your skin is like a glass shelf with a layer of dust—if you don’t clear it off, nothing you put on top will sit right or absorb properly. That’s exactly what happens with dry, dead skin cells. A gentle, daily exfoliant can help remove that build-up so your products can actually do their job.
  

• Some of our go-to’s for a skin-friendly daily buff in the shower:

• Daily Microfoliant – a rice-based classic suitable for most skin types

• Daily Superfoliant – perfect for skin exposed to pollution or early signs of ageing

• Daily Milkfoliant – a soothing option for more sensitive skin

Your skin doesn’t have to suffer when the weather changes. With a few thoughtful adjustments to your routine and the right treatments, you can keep your complexion healthy, hydrated, and radiant all season long.

Autumn might dry out the air—but it doesn’t have to dry out your skin.