Autumn Skincare: Expert Tips

Expert Tips to Transition Your Routine for New Zealand’s Changing Seasons

As summer fades and autumn’s crisp air settles in, your skin faces a new set of challenges—cooler temperatures, drier air, and increased exposure to indoor heating. This seasonal shift can strip moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dehydrated, dull, or irritated. The key to maintaining a healthy, radiant complexion is adapting your skincare routine to protect and nourish your skin barrier.

Here’s how to expertly transition your skincare routine to keep your skin glowing throughout the autumn months in New Zealand:

1. Upgrade to a Nourishing Cleanser

As humidity levels drop, foaming or gel-based cleansers can become too stripping for your skin. Instead, switch to a hydrating, cream-based cleanser to gently remove impurities while preserving essential moisture. Look for ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, or oat extract to maintain a strong skin barrier.

👉 Expert Tip: Double cleansing is still beneficial, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen daily. Start with a gentle cleansing oil before following up with your hydrating cleanser.

Recommended Product: Aspect Gentle Clean Facial Cleanser

This gentle cleanser effectively removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated.

Woman joyfully washing face with soap foam against a blue background, smiling with eyes closed, wearing hoop earrings.

2. Boost Hydration with a Richer Moisturiser

Autumn air is drier, meaning your skin will lose moisture faster. Now is the time to swap lightweight summer gels for richer creams packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane to deeply hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier.

👉 Expert Tip: Apply your moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp after cleansing to lock in hydration for longer.

Recommended Product: Aspect Phytostat 9 Moisturiser

A 4-in-1 moisturiser that adjusts to the specific needs of your skin, providing intense hydration and antioxidant protection.

Woman applying cream to her face under dappled sunlight, creating a serene mood. Skin appears dewy and smooth with soft focus.

3. Don't Skip the SPF – UV Damage is Year-Round!

Just because the summer sun has faded doesn’t mean UV rays have disappeared. Up to 80% of UV radiation penetrates clouds, contributing to premature ageing, pigmentation, and collagen breakdown. A broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or higher remains a non-negotiable step in your daily routine, even on cloudy days.

👉 Expert Tip: If you’re spending more time indoors, opt for a sunscreen that also protects against blue light exposure from screens, which can contribute to skin stress and pigmentation.

Recommended Product: Aspect Sun Hydrating Face SPF 50

A lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen offering broad-spectrum protection, ideal for daily use.

Woman in a striped swimsuit adjusts a wide-brimmed straw hat, sun shining brightly in background, creating a serene and summery mood.

4. Exfoliate Wisely for a Radiant Glow

With cooler weather, dead skin cells accumulate faster, leading to dullness and uneven texture. Gentle exfoliation 1–2 times per week helps maintain a smooth, radiant complexion. Opt for enzyme-based or lactic acid exfoliants that polish the skin without stripping its natural oils.

👉 Expert Tip: Over-exfoliation weakens the skin barrier, making it more prone to irritation. If your skin feels tight, sensitive, or extra dry, cut back on exfoliation and focus on barrier repair with niacinamide and ceramides.

Recommended Product: Aspect Illuminating Polish

This exfoliant combines physical and chemical exfoliants to refine skin texture and promote radiance.

Woman exfoliating face with scrub, eyes closed, neutral expression. Close-up with soft lighting; light beige background. No visible text.

5. Add a Hydrating Serum for Extra Support

The shift in temperature can leave your skin craving an extra layer of hydration. A serum packed with hyaluronic acid, peptides, or vitamin B5 will provide a deep moisture boost, helping to plump and revitalise dull, tired skin.

👉 Expert Tip: Layer your hydrating serum under your moisturiser to enhance absorption. If your skin is feeling extra dry, seal everything in with a facial oil for an added layer of protection.

Recommended Product: Aspect Hydrating Serum

Formulated with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, this serum provides intense hydration and protects against environmental aggressors.

Smiling person with a shaved head in a green shirt uses a dropper to dispense liquid from a small bottle, beige background.

6. Invest in a Humidifier to Combat Indoor Dryness

Indoor heating can significantly dry out the air, leading to dehydration, flakiness, and irritation. A humidifier helps maintain optimal skin hydration by adding moisture back into your environment.

👉 Expert Tip: Place a small bowl of water near your heater or radiator if a humidifier isn’t an option—it’s a simple trick to increase air moisture levels naturally.

Recommended Product: Aspect Sheer Hydration Moisturiser

A lightweight, oil-free formula designed to combat dryness. Packed with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, it deeply hydrates, replenishing moisture and leaving the skin soft and refreshed without feeling greasy.

Man in white robe applies cream to face, looking in mirror putting on moisturiser. Bright setting, focused expression.

7. Protect Your Lips & Hands – The Forgotten Areas

Your lips and hands lose moisture faster than other areas, making them more prone to dryness, chapping, and irritation. Keep a nourishing lip balm with shea butter or lanolin on hand and upgrade your hand cream to one rich in ceramides and vitamin E to prevent cracking.

👉 Expert Tip: Exfoliate your lips once a week with a gentle sugar scrub and follow up with a hydrating balm to keep them soft and smooth.

Recommended Product: Aspect Hydrating Lip Balm

Provides long-lasting moisture to keep lips soft and supple.

Woman applying Aspect Hydrating lip balm with a smile. Close-up on face, clear skin, natural makeup. White balm tube. Soft, relaxed mood.

8. Avoid Hot Showers – Lukewarm is Best

As tempting as a steamy shower is on a chilly morning, hot water can strip your skin of natural oils, leaving it drier and more sensitive. Stick to lukewarm water and finish with a quick splash of cool water to help seal in moisture.

👉 Expert Tip: Swap out drying soaps for creamy, nourishing body washes infused with shea butter, almond oil, or oat extract.

Product Recommendation: Tan-Free Firm & Hydrate Body Butter

This luxurious body butter is perfect for deeply hydrating and nourishing your skin. With its blend of shea butter and antioxidant-rich ingredients, it helps firm and smooth the skin while leaving it soft and supple. Ideal for tackling dry skin during seasonal changes, it’s a must-have for healthy, glowing body skin all year round.