Sweater weather is officially here! Dropping temps means it’s time to start prepping skin for the drier, colder days ahead. While our complexion has been used to extra sunshine and humid air during summer (which helps to naturally keep in moisture), shifting to cooler, drier, air and the use of heaters can transform skin into the Sahara desert. Exfoliation is always a good thing, but we’re not trying to shed copious amounts of skin like tree’s falling leaves outside. Ew.
The good news is, we’ve rounded up six must-have products for your fall skin care routine, and they won’t just give you glowy skin, they’ll make you glow on the inside too. All products featured are from women-owned businesses and brands — the absolute queens of a Covergirl complexion, if you will.
Women-owned businesses represent 42% of all businesses, employ 9.4 million workers, and generate revenue of $1.9 trillion (Latino Economic Development Center). Girl power at its finest. Supporting female-run businesses fights the gender and wage gap, creates more jobs, and helps fund our local and national economies. Sadly, many female business owners are still facing many challenges. In 2018, male-owned businesses earned more than double that of women-owned in sales, shipments and revenue, and it’s no secret that women-owned businesses were some of the most negatively impacted by the 2020 pandemic. While many female-fueled businesses are still trying to recoup, we can support them (and our skin), by being mindful of the purchases we make, and aiming to shop women-owned products.
So without further ado, here are six must-have products that your skin (and conscious) will beg for this fall.
Pumpkin is not limited to your lattes and your candles. It’s an absolute lifesaver during the season of dull skin and crisp air. Why’s that? Pumpkin is full of antioxidants and vitamins A, K and C, which help exfoliate and hydrate skin. Plus, paired with vitamin E, which hydrates the skin and protects cells from damage, it’s a concoction a complexion can’t wait to cozy up with. Summer Friday’s Overtime Pumpkin Mask delivers your skin saving solution, all while supporting the causes you care about. The women-owned brand uses sustainable packaging and is 100% cruelty-free, vegan, and excludes harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, sulfates and mineral oils.
If your skin is begging for a little *plump* me up, this amino acid-rich polypeptide cream may be its new best friend. The polypeptides present in the cream bind moisture to the skin, plumping, firming, and restoring bounce, while the amino acids work to soothe and strengthen skin. Drunk Elephant is women-founded, women-owned, and cruelty-free, as if you needed something else to get pl-umped up about.
Vitamin C may boost your immune system during the cooler months, but it can also give your skin a much-needed boost too. Vitamin C is a science-backed ingredient that may help slow aging. Combined with turmeric and camu camu, this brightening elixir by BeautCounter — a women-owned beauty brand — helps even skin tone and defends skin from the damaging effects of environmental stressors.
Apple picking, pumpkin patching, spooky season festivities — we’re nothing short of multi-tasking masters in the fall. Glossier’s Balm Dotcom Universal Skin Salve covers all the bases if your skin needs a similar type of enthusiasm. Fans rave about its ability to deeply moisturize; this salve is a lip balm go-to for many. Plus, Glossier is women-owned and cruelty-free.
Dry, flakey skin is a common fall-time nuisance, and if you have keratosis pilaris (a common skin condition), then dry skin onset by colder weather can be even more bothersome. To combat pesky bumps or for all-around angel-soft skin, consider Peach & Lilip’s Bump Boss scrub. The gentle exfoliator delivers the benefits of a chemical peel, microdermabrasion treatment and skin-softener, and is non-toxic, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free.
If you don’t regularly moisturize right after jumping out of the shower, you may want to consider adding it to your skincare repertoire in the coming colder months. Ouai Body Crème is a personal favorite, as its hydrating ingredients cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and squalane work together to nourish a dried-out complexion. The skin drinks in this thick, buttery body creme quickly, but the moisturizing effects are long-lasting. Created by celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, Ouai is women-owned and cruelty-free.
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