Fall is here. Think beautiful leaves, the return of comfort food, a cozy fire, and moisturizer!
As summer winds down, you may already be experiencing some dryness from the sun and warm breezes of the waning season. While it’s always important to maintain healthy levels of moisture, the need to protect your skin from the elements and supplement hydration becomes very important as the air cools, and drying sources of indoor heat come into play.
We like to think of moisturizer as a staple in skincare, as flour is to your pantry. If you like to bake, you know that choices in flour have become many and a bit confusing as to which to choose for success in a particular recipe. Choices of moisturizers have expanded exponentially too. In fact, Kate Ryan Skincare has several products devoted to hydrating and protecting your skin. Let’s break them down and help you choose the products you’ll want now for healthy, comfortable, and glowing skin, from head to toe.
We were recently asked, what’s the difference between moisture and hydration, is my skin dry or dehydrated? What does my skin need? It’s an excellent question –
When considering hydration as it relates to our skin, it’s best to keep it simple -- our skin needs both water and oil to stay healthy. We use the terms interchangeably and don’t see the need to make a simple term complicated. Simple terms are often made confusing with marketing jargon. If your skin feels “dry” chances are it’s in need of both water and oil.
The top layer of our skin is the stratum corneum, which is made up of dead skin cells that are full of keratin. Although we often talk about speeding the removal of these dead cells, they play a vital role in protecting us from the outside environment. The main job of the stratum corneum is to create a barrier to protect us from the entry of potentially harmful microorganisms and prevent water loss.
As the weather changes and the air gets drier, our skin loses water to the environment more rapidly. Eventually, in a low humidity environment or when our stratum corneum is compromised, our skin can lose too much water which results in feeling dry, tight, possibly itchy and signaling a need for moisture. Healthy skin requires dead skin cells – yes! really! Over-exfoliation, whether during cleansing or using another form of exfoliation, can damage the protective epidermis – something to keep in mind especially at this time of year. (Find a gentler approach to exfoliation here.) One of the most important things we can do for our skin, especially in the fall and winter months, is to protect our skin barrier. One way to do that is choosing the right moisturizing topical actives and staying away from products containing ingredients like alcohol that dehydrate the skin.
How do I choose the moisturizer that’s right for me?
Complete Daily Moisture is a client favorite because it is so versatile, can be used every day and anytime, and works well for almost all skin types. It fits perfectly into your AM and/or PM regimen. This perfectly balanced moisturizer creates a flawless base for makeup application, and provides a beautiful, healthy glow by itself.
How to use: Apply morning and evening to face, neck and chest as needed for moisture. If you are using serums, Complete Daily Moisture would be your last step.
Revitalizing Intensive Daily Moisture
Dry skin types, this is for you! If you find yourself running for the moisturizer after washing your face, this blend of natural oils and ceramide-boosting actives will have your skin looking radiant and feeling comfortable. We recommend using this product at bedtime because the actives work to seal in moisture, which doesn't always work well with makeup.
How to use: Apply in the evening to freshly cleansed skin. If you are using serums, Revitalizing Intensive Daily Moisture would be your last step. If you plan to apply makeup, we recommend using this product only at bedtime. This intense moisturizer provides a protective barrier against moisture loss, therefore, liquid foundation products may not absorb smoothly.
Total Nutrition Night Repair Complex
As the days get shorter during the fall, you might find yourself feeling more tired at night and longing for an extra hour of sleep. Total Nutrition Night Repair Complex combines retinol, moisturizer, essential nutrition, and anti-aging in just one step! Think of Total Nutrition for those long days when you contemplate whether leaving the couch to wash your face and get in bed is even worth it (but you still want your skin to look awesome when you wake up). Let it work while you sleep!
How to use: Apply to face, neck and chest once daily in the evening. This product works very well with most skin types but is not recommended for very sensitive skin types or irritated skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Ultimate Hydration Serum
Water is important for our skin – this serum follows the true definition of hydrate, treating with water! As we all know, hydration and water are important elements of our skincare routine. Hyaluronic Acid Ultimate Hydration Serum provides excellent moisture without the use of oils.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) has an incredible capacity to hold water, infusing the skin with nutrients and moisture. The fall is a perfect time to think about replenishing and protecting the hyaluronic acid that is naturally occurring in our skin. UV exposure causes breakdown of hyaluronic acid. When the stores of hyaluronic acid are depleted in our skin, what we see, and feel, is dry skin that isn’t as plump and lacks elasticity. HA is a very gentle active, making it excellent for all skin types. If your skin is very dry, you’ll need to supplement with a more emollient moisturizer – your skin will benefit from both!
How to use: To use, simply apply to slightly damp skin after cleansing once or twice daily. We highly recommend including the neck and chest also – a little product goes a long way! Follow with Complete Daily Moisture or Revitalizing Intensive Daily Moisture as needed. This nighttime regimen is also excellent for your hands!
This multi-use, nourishing oil can be used on face, body, hair, and nails for breathable moisture. Acne-prone skin will see healthier pores and less inflammation. Sensitive skin will experience calming, lightweight moisturizing. Dry skin will feel quenched and softened, while normal and oily skin types will feel hydrated without heaviness. Apply once or twice daily to skin on face, neck and body for healthy moisture. Or, one of our favorite fall uses - add one full dropper to a warm bath, grab a book and a glass of wine - enjoy the relaxation and many skin benefits!
How to use: Apply a small amount to skin and nails anytime, as needed for moisture. For best results, we recommend applying to damp skin after your shower or bath.
When the seasons change, we need to reexamine our skincare routines and adjust for different temperatures and other environmental factors. As the weather cools and our heat is turned on, our skin becomes dry. Moisturizing is key to easing the dryness and helping your skin continue to have a healthy glow year-round. If you have any questions about your skin or selecting the moisturizer that's perfect for you, please send us an email! We're here and happy to help!
