Her top tip is actually a really simple one: exfoliate, but with a twist. “You should exfoliate before you wash your face this time of year,” says Fender.
Though “cleanse first, scrub second” is a commandment most of us live by, there’s a good reason to flip the script come autumn. Because of all the outdoor time you clocked during the warmer months, you’ve likely accumulated some post-summer buildup on your complexion. “Whether it’s from perspiration, dead surface-cell build-up, or a lot of sunscreens, all of that has an effect on the skin,” says Fender. “Early fall is a really good time to focus on a little bit of extra exfoliation.”
She explains that the skin may have a hard time “breathing” with all of that gunk sitting on top of it, so it’s imperative to give it a good scrub at the top of your regimen. Starting with exfoliation will set the stage for your face wash to whisk away any oil and bacteria t