Your skin is a very important organ! It's outermost layer, the epidermis, is a thin barrier that serves as both a defender and gatekeeper to the rest of your body as it works non-stop to keep water in the cells/organs, and to keep external elements (pathogens, chemicals, UV rays, etc) out. When the seasons change, we tend to see this barrier suffer as it tries to adjust from the sudden climate change that occurs between the warmer and moisture filled days of summer, to the harsher and drier winds of the fall. In addition, as the days get colder, heaters can dry out your skin and the dry, warm indoor air poses an additional stress factor for your skin to cope with. During this transition, it is essential to heal the skin barrier as it is also likely exiting a season of over exposure to the sun - which can be very dangerous to the epidermis. Although the often high moisture levels in the summer air can cause this damage to go somewhat unnoticed, the cool and crisp (dry) air of the fall will eventually cause the skin to feel dry and tight. If left untreated, this can lead to much discomfort throughout the winter months.

nügg in-house esthetician, Kristyn Smith, provides us with some great tips on how you can combat this seasonal transition and help your skin cope:

1. Cleanse - Be sure to use a non-drying, non-irritating cleanser.
2. Exfoliate - Do not manually exfoliate using harsh exfoliators as this can actually worsen existing tears and leaks in the skin barrier. Instead, try to incorporate an enzymatic exfoliator with only gentle beads, if any, such as the nügg exfoliating face mask, once a week.
3. Soothe - In order to help repair or strengthen the skin barrier or whenever you feel your skin is suffering from adjustment reactions to the elements (too dry, too oily, break outs), having something on hand such as the nügg soothing face mask will come in useful in terms of helping your skin achieve balance when it needs a little extra attention. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend using this every day as a sleep mask over night, and otherwise twice a week as a regular face mask. Make sure to just wipe (not wash) off the mask after 10 minutes so that the ingredients can continue to soothe and hydrate your skin overnight.
4. Hydrate - Lastly, give back to your skin from the outside in. Remember it’s been exposed to a variety of irritants (summer sun, the wind and cooler air from the fall, and interior factors such as hot water and heaters) and will be in need of a good source of hydration. Day cream should be moisture rich and loaded with antioxidants as well as environmental protectants, and night cream moisture rich as well, and full of soothing and healing ingredients. Even as the sun isn't as strong as during summer, always make sure to use a moisturizer with SPF during the day. In addition to this, incorporating the nügg hydrating mask 1 to 2 times a week will give the skin sub-surface moisture creating a healthy reservoir of hydration for the skin to draw from, and will help repair damage to your natural skin barrier. Finally, if using the same moisturizer AM and PM, or if you're unwilling to part with your light moisturizer, try adding a few drops of Jojoba oil to your cream – not only will it help to moisturize, but it will also aid in barrier repair.

"Fall" in love with your skin again with these easy skincare tips that will carry you through autumn.

nüggs and hugs,

nügg Beauty Team