ok the one thing I always underestimate this time of year

Honestly I say this every autumn and then completely ignore it until my face starts feeling like paper — slow down the exfoliation. Like properly slow it down. Not stop, just... less. Summer skin is oilier, you're sweating more, your barrier is doing its thing in the humidity. Then October hits and you're still going in with your AHA twice a week like nothing's changed and wondering why you're suddenly red and a bit flaky. I'm not a dermatologist but I genuinely think this is where most people's skin starts to fall apart going into the colder months. The other thing I've been doing lately is swapping my lightweight summer serum for something with a bit more ceramide content before I go in with moisturiser. Not replacing the moisturiser, just adding a step underneath. It feels excessive but tbh my skin has been so much more settled since I started doing it. Mind you I've also been consistent with my collagen which I think helps from the inside but who knows, hard to isolate anything really.