Autumn Skincare: The Season Changes. Your Skin Responds Differently.
Updated: Sep 29
The season changes for everyone...
but skin does not respond identically.
Your cheeks feel tight. Makeup catches on dry patches. Your forehead is still shiny, but your skin feels less comfortable. Not sure?
Sound familiar?
In more than 35 years of working with skin, I have learnt to pay attention to these small changes. They help me understand what your skin needs and what might be asking too much of it.
Here is why autumn can change your skin’s behaviour, and how I approach it.
Why does skin change in autumn?
Cooler, drier air: When humidity falls, skin can struggle to retain moisture. You may notice tightness, roughness or fine dehydration lines.
Central heating: Heating lowers indoor relative humidity, adding to the dryness your skin encounters throughout the day.
A barrier under strain: Dry conditions, hot water and over-exfoliation can disturb the skin’s protective barrier, making moisture retention harder and products less comfortable.
Temperature changes: Moving between cold outdoors and warm rooms can trigger flushing in some people, particularly those prone to rosacea.
The effects of summer exposure: Sun exposure can deepen pigmentation and contribute to uneven tone. Those marks may still be there long after your holiday.
What I look for before changing your routine
My first question is: when does your skin feel different?
Tight immediately after washing? I review your cleansing. Comfortable in the morning but dry by lunchtime? I look at hydration and moisture retention. Dull and rough? I check for irritation before considering exfoliation.
An oily forehead does not rule out dehydration. Dry patches do not automatically mean you need the richest cream.
I want to understand the deeper patterns before choosing the products.
Your heritage matters. So does your skin’s history.
My Global Skin Heritage approach considers inherited tendencies alongside your environment and individual skin response.
Two people with a similar complexion may need different care. In melanin-rich skin, irritation can leave persistent dark marks, making a measured approach to exfoliation particularly important.
I ask and think about what happens after a breakout or reaction, as well as what I can see today.
Four changes to consider for your autumn skincare routine
1. Begin with a comfortable cleanse
If washing leaves your face tight, start here.
Natural Glow Cleansing Oil beautifully deep cleanses, helps dissolve makeup and excess surface oil. Add water and it transforms into a milk that rinses away. Double cleanse in the evenings and use warm water and gentle movements to create a milk before wiping away. Pay attention to how your skin feels afterwards.
2. Replenish hydration and help it last
Forest Dew Beauty Water brings water-binding hydration to help skin feel supple and look smoother, fresher and visibly plumper. Press into cleansed skin before your serum.
Follow your serum with Cream Supreme. Its plant butters and its patented plant-tech ingredients help soften roughness and support moisture retention.
What I want you to notice is comfort that lasts through the day.
3. Include antioxidant care
Biotech Suprême Pressed Serum combines hydration with vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps defend skin lipids against free-radical activity associated with environmental exposure.
Time release oleosomes, tiny natural stores of safflower oil for elasticity that also helps to soften and condition the skin. Apply after Forest Dew and before your moisturiser.
4. Choose extra treatment according to skin behaviour
For comfortable skin that looks dull or feels uneven, Mask Supreme combines clay to absorb excess surface oil with hydrating and conditioning ingredients for a softer, smoother-looking finish.
Antonia’s autumn reminders
Turn the water temperature down. A hot shower feels wonderful on a cold morning, but your face may disagree. Keep cleansing water lukewarm.
Change one thing at a time. A new serum, mask and exfoliator in the same week makes it difficult to know what is helping.
Take your skincare below the jawline. Remember your neck and décolletage, adjusting products to what those areas tolerate. Give your hands some moisturiser after washing, too.
Check where you sit. If your desk or favourite chair is beside a radiator, move a little further away and notice whether your skin feels more comfortable.
Listen to discomfort. Persistent stinging is a reason to reassess your routine, not a sign that you should push through.
Facial massage for radiance, relaxation and a brighter-looking complexion
Facial massage earns its place in an autumn routine because alongside caring for your skin, it offers a chance to ease the feeling of tension around the jaw, the forehead and the brow. Slow, considered movements make you feel more relaxed, while massage that encourages lymphatic drainage helps to reduce puffiness, leaving the contours looking more defined and sculpted.
My Antonia Burrell Facial Cups introduce gentle suction into that massage. At the very least, facial cupping can help increase local blood flow, which may give the complexion a boost in radiance. The rhythm of the massage also creates a welcome pause at the end of the day: a few minutes to relax your jaw, lower your shoulders and give your skin your attention. Stay tuned for a blog all about facial cupping.
For glide, I recommend Natural Glow Cleansing Oil, which comes in your kit, rinsed away after your cleansing massage. Follow the supplied cupping guide, use very light suction and keep the cups moving continuously. There should be no dragging, discomfort or bruising. When skin is irritated or fragile, leave the cups aside and focus on restoring comfort.
Let me sort you an autumn skin glow - in person!
My Bespoke Skin Behaviour Correction Facial begins with your skin, your routine and what has changed. I select products and techniques around its current needs, aiming to improve comfort, hydration and visible radiance, brightness. firmness, and super glow. This is an unbelievably desired treatment as its tailored to you.
A personal favourite of mine is microdermabrasion, particularly when skin looks dull and feels rough after summer. By removing dead surface cells, it helps reveal smoother, brighter skin and can soften the appearance of fine lines and mild uneven tone.
I tailor the treatment to how your skin is behaving on the day, combining resurfacing with replenishing hydration for that unmistakable AB glow. If your skin is feeling sore, irritated or particularly dry as autumn arrives, we may need to restore comfort first.
The season changes for everyone and I want your care should feel personal.
A bespoke trans-seasonal facial, tailored to your skin’s changing needs.
Use code AUTUMN for 20% saving (limited spaces)
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