Content supplied by Lucy, every&one ambassador with first-hand experience of adjusting her autumn skincare routine for sensitive and eczema-prone skin as the weather turns cooler.
It’s been a long, hot summer. Whilst I’m grateful for all the sunshine we’ve had this year, I absolutely love what this time of year brings. The leaves are falling, evenings are getting cosier and I actually need a jumper for the first time in months. I love autumn, but my skin isn’t always quite as excited about the change as I am, which is usually my cue to think about my autumn skincare routine for my sensitive skin.
If you have sensitive or eczema-prone skin, you might know that feeling. Your skin can be perfectly happy one week and then suddenly feel a little drier, tighter or more irritated as the temperature drops. I’ve learnt that this is usually my cue to make a few small changes.
Not a complete overhaul. I don’t suddenly throw out everything I’ve been using all summer and replace it with a cupboard full of heavy duty winter products. Instead, I gradually adjust my routine as the seasons change and try to give my skin what it needs at each stage.
Because how you adjust your skin through that transition can matter just as much as how you look after it once winter actually arrives.
Why does your skin change when the seasons change?
Our skin has to adapt to its surroundings all year round.
During summer, we’re dealing with warmer temperatures, more sweating, higher humidity and increased sun exposure. As autumn arrives, the air becomes cooler and drier, temperatures fluctuate, and we start spending more time indoors. Then winter brings cold winds, low humidity and central heating, which can all contribute to dry, uncomfortable skin.
For sensitive skin, these changes can be particularly noticeable.
The skin barrier plays an important role in keeping moisture in and protecting the skin from external irritants. When the environment changes, your skin may need a little extra support to maintain that balance.
For me, the key is noticing those changes early rather than waiting until my skin is really struggling.
Moving from summer into an autumn skincare routine
Late September or early October is when I usually start making the first small changes to my skincare routine, depending on the weather. When I pay a little more attention to hydration and start protecting my skin from the cooler weather, without dropping the things that worked for me all summer. I call this my autumn skincare routine.
1. Start moisturising more consistently
In summer, I can sometimes get away with a lighter skincare routine. As autumn approaches, I notice that my skin starts wanting a little more moisture.
This is usually when I become much more consistent with moisturising after showering and washing my hands.
I like using every&one at this point because it’s something I can use on both my face and body, without needing to introduce another complicated step into my routine. It’s formulated as a 5 in 1 multi-tasking cream, working as moisturiser, face and body wash, cleanser, primer and shaving cream from one 100ml tube, so building in that consistency doesn’t mean adding more products.
2. Don’t ditch your summer skincare routine overnight
One mistake I used to make was thinking that the first cold day meant I immediately needed a completely different routine.
I no longer believe it works like that.
The weather doesn’t suddenly switch from summer to winter, and neither does your skin. There can be warm days in October and chilly ones in September, so I prefer to adjust things gradually as we head into the colder months.
If your skin still feels happy with your summer routine, there’s no need to change it just because the calendar says autumn has arrived.
3. Keep using SPF
Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean UV exposure suddenly stops.
I continue using SPF as part of my morning routine throughout autumn and winter. The sun might not feel as strong, but protecting your skin is still important year round. every&one doesn't replace SPF, so I apply my sunscreen on top of it once it's absorbed.
4. Be mindful of hot showers
This is one I find particularly difficult once the weather gets colder.
There’s nothing better than a long, hot shower when you’ve been outside in the cold, but very hot water can leave sensitive skin feeling dry and uncomfortable.
I try to stick to warm rather than very hot showers and moisturise afterwards while my skin is still slightly damp.
Your autumn skincare routine reset
I think autumn is actually a really good time to take a look at your skincare routine.
Not because you need to buy lots of new products, but because it’s a natural point to ask yourself what is, and isn’t, working.
If your skin feels comfortable, there’s no need to change everything.
If it’s becoming drier or more reactive, you might want to:
- Moisturise more frequently
- Choose gentle, fragrance-free products
- Avoid very hot showers
- Cut back on unnecessary exfoliation
- Keep a moisturiser with you when you’re out
For me, the simpler the better.
Especially when my skin is being unpredictable, I don’t want to introduce five new products and then have no idea which one my skin doesn’t like. It’s a big part of why I reach for every&one. I love that it is a fragrance-free, 92% natural origin, dermatologically tested cream formulated without mineral oil, paraffin or chemical SPF, made in the UK, vegan friendly and Cruelty Free International approved, so there’s less guesswork if my skin does react to something.
Preparing your skin for winter
As autumn edges towards winter, I start thinking less about reacting to changes in my skin and more about getting ahead of them. Building a few simple habits into my autumn skincare routine through October and November means my skin is ready before the coldest weather arrives, rather than playing catch up once the dryness and tightness have already set in.
Support your skin barrier
Your skin barrier is your first line of defence against the outside world, so supporting it is particularly important when the weather becomes harsh.
I try to keep my skincare routine gentle and consistent rather than constantly adding new products.
If my skin feels dry, tight or irritated, that’s usually a sign for me to simplify rather than exfoliate, scrub or experiment. every&one is formulated with Squalane, Vitamin F, Glycerin and Coco-Caprylate, ingredients chosen to help replenish the skin barrier’s natural lipids rather than just sitting on the surface, which is exactly the kind of gentle, consistent support I look for at this point in the year.
Moisturise after washing
As the weather gets colder, I find that the little things matter more.
After washing my hands or getting out of the shower, I moisturise rather than waiting until my skin feels completely dry.
It takes a few seconds, but it makes a difference.
Think about your clothes too
This is something that can easily be overlooked.
When autumn arrives, I’m obviously reaching for jumpers and warmer clothes, but some fabrics can feel irritating against sensitive skin.
If something feels scratchy, I’ll wear a soft cotton layer underneath rather than forcing myself to put up with it.
Your skincare routine doesn’t only happen in the bathroom. What you put against your skin matters too.
What stays the same throughout the year?
Although I make small changes between seasons, there are a few things I try to keep consistent within my skincare routine.
- Gentle cleansing
- Regular moisturising
- SPF
- Avoiding products that I know irritate my skin
- Listening to my skin rather than blindly following skincare trends
How I use every&one as the seasons change
For me, every&one is the constant in my skincare routine. It feels lightweight enough for summer, but I can simply use it more often as autumn asks for extra moisture, and lean on it a little more again once winter sets in.
I don’t need to change products every few months, just how often I use the one I already trust. That simplicity matters most when my skin is feeling sensitive.
My simple transition from summer to winter
If I had to sum up my seasonal skincare routines, I’d say:
End of summer: Keep things lightweight, continue with SPF and don’t change products unnecessarily.
Early autumn: Start paying more attention to hydration and moisturise consistently.
Mid autumn: Focus on supporting your skin barrier and protecting your skin from cooler weather.
Heading into winter: Increase moisturising when needed, avoid very hot showers and make sure your skin is prepared for cold air and central heating.
And most importantly, I don’t wait for a specific date to make a change.
If my skin is dry in September, I’ll moisturise more in September. If it’s still warm in October, I won’t force myself into a winter routine just because autumn is technically here.
Your skin doesn’t follow the calendar.
Listen to your skin, not the season
Listening to my skin is probably the most useful thing I’ve learnt about seasonal skincare. It’s about staying consistent, keeping things simple and gradually preparing for the colder months ahead.
Because sensitive skin doesn’t always need more. Sometimes it just needs a little more attention.
And as I put my summer clothes away, dig out my favourite jumpers and accept that the heating will soon be back on, I’ll be doing the same thing with my skincare routine: making a few small adjustments, listening to my skin and taking it one season at a time.
Thank you to Lucy, ambassador of every&one, for sharing her experience of adjusting her skincare routine for sensitive and eczema-prone skin as summer turns to autumn and winter. every&one is a cosmetic skincare product designed to support the skin barrier and everyday comfort, not to treat or replace medical skincare advice.
Shop every&one 5-in-1 cream today
How every&one helps as your skin adjusts to autumn and winter
Lightweight, fast-absorbing formula perfect for your autumn skincare routine
every&one is a lightweight, fast-absorbing cream that doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy or heavy. This makes it easy to use more often as the weather cools, without your routine starting to feel heavy on sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
Squalane, Vitamin F and Coco Caprylate for barrier support
The formula is built around three key ingredients that work hard for sensitive and eczema-prone skin as the seasons change:
Squalane is a natural, skin-identical lipid that prevents moisture loss and supports the skin barrier.
Vitamin F, the common name for the essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic acid, helps calm irritation and support the structural repair of compromised skin.
Coco Caprylate, derived from coconut oil, forms a lightweight protective film that locks in moisture and helps guard skin against the elements, including wind and cold.
Together, these ingredients help your skin cope with the barrier disruption that cooler air, wind and central heating can bring.
Read more on the science behind every&one here.
Versatile, multi-tasking formula
every&one is a 5-in-1 multi-use product designed to serve multiple functions in one formula. It can be used as:
- Daily moisturiser, left on your skin as your main hydration step
- Facial cleanser, washed off in the shower like a cream cleanser to gently remove makeup and impurities
- Body wash, used on your body for hydration without needing separate products
- Shaving cream, its emulsifying formula works well for a smooth shave
- Makeup primer, used as a base to prep skin and help makeup last longer
This versatility means one product can manage your skin’s changing needs from summer through to winter, which is especially helpful for sensitive, eczema-prone skin that benefits from keeping routines simple.
A comfortable finish, whatever the weather
The formula leaves a soft, velvety, primer-like finish on the skin without a heavy or greasy feeling, whether you’re using it lightly in early autumn or more generously once winter sets in. every&one is made in the UK, vegan friendly and Cruelty Free International approved, free from alcohol, free from parabens and 94% petrochemical free.
Autumn and winter skincare, frequently asked questions
Should I change my skincare routine when summer ends?
Not necessarily all at once. As the weather becomes cooler and drier, you may find that your skin needs more hydration. Making gradual changes based on how your skin feels can be more helpful than completely replacing your routine.
What skincare should I use in autumn for sensitive skin?
Sensitive skin often benefits from a simple routine focused on gentle cleansing, regular moisturising and supporting the skin barrier. As temperatures drop, you may find that you need to moisturise more frequently. every&one is fragrance-free, 92% natural origin and dermatologically tested, formulated with Squalane, Vitamin F, Glycerin and Coco-Caprylate to help support the skin barrier as the weather changes.
When should I start preparing my skin for winter?
There isn’t a set date. If your skin starts feeling drier or tighter as autumn arrives, that’s a good indication that it may need some extra hydration and protection. Starting these habits during autumn can help you feel more prepared for winter.
Why does my sensitive skin get worse when the seasons change?
Changes in temperature, humidity, wind and indoor heating can all affect the skin. For people with sensitive skin, these environmental changes may contribute to dryness, irritation or discomfort, as the skin barrier works harder to keep moisture in.
Do I need different skincare products for summer and winter?
Not necessarily. Some people prefer lighter products during warmer months and richer moisturisation during winter, but you don’t automatically need completely different products. A simple routine that can be adjusted depending on your skin’s needs, such as using every&one more or less often, can work just as well.
Is every&one suitable for sensitive skin all year round?
Yes. every&one is suitable for all skin types, all ages and all genders, including sensitive and eczema-prone skin, so it works as a year-round option rather than something you swap out between seasons.
If any of this sounds familiar and your skin is struggling to settle as the seasons change, it’s worth speaking to a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. If you have been prescribed products for sensitive or eczema-prone skin, do not change your routine without consulting a healthcare professional first.
Keeping your skincare routine simple, wherever you are
Still working out how to fit skincare around the rest of your routine? Discover how to keep things simple even when life gets busy in our blog Gym bag skincare made easy with every&one. Whether it's the changing seasons or a packed gym bag, the same idea applies: less clutter, more consistency, and one tube that keeps up with you.