Essential serums and creams to care for your skin in autumn

With the arrival of autumn, temperatures drop, the wind becomes more frequent, and humidity varies throughout the day. All these factors influence the skin, which tends to become drier, more sensitive, and prone to redness. It is also during this time that many people notice more visible pores or uneven texture, a result of the aggressions suffered during the summer.

To keep your skin healthy and radiant even in autumn, it’s essential to adjust your skincare routine. This is where serums and creams come into play — helping to provide the right hydration, protection, and nourishment.

Why adapt your skincare routine in autumn?

Each season has its particularities. Summer is marked by sun exposure and excess heat. In autumn, with the changes, the skin requires extra care to stay balanced:

• Reinforce hydration — drier and windier air favors water loss, so it’s essential to invest in serums and creams with hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

• Protect the skin barrier — temperature variations between outdoor and indoor environments weaken the skin; choose nourishing creams with ceramides or lipids.

• Repair summer damage — dark spots, dehydration, and uneven texture call for ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or gentle exfoliants.

• Soothe sensitivity and redness — cold and wind increase reactivity, so it’s best to rely on calming formulas with niacinamide or thermal water.

Learn everything about niacinamide in the article Benefits of Vitamin B3 for skin with redness and enlarged pores.

Ignoring these steps can lead to dull, uncomfortable skin that ages more quickly. Therefore, choosing the right serums and creams to care for your skin in autumn is ideal.

Serums: autumn’s concentrated treatment

Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas that deliver high concentrations of active ingredients directly into the skin. In autumn, they play a key role in restoring, balancing, and preparing the skin for the colder months ahead.

Must-have serums for autumn

Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) serum

• Reduces redness and sensitivity caused by wind and temperature changes.

• Regulates oiliness and improves the appearance of enlarged pores.

• Can be easily combined with other actives such as hyaluronic acid or antioxidants.

EXAMPLE: Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) serum – La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum 30ml

Hyaluronic acid serum

• Deeply hydrates by attracting and retaining water in the skin.

• Ideal to combat the typical dryness of autumn.

EXAMPLE: Hyaluronic acid serum – Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Serum 30ml

Antioxidant serum (vitamin C, resveratrol, etc.)

• Helps correct post-summer damage such as dark spots and lack of radiance.

• Prevents signs of premature aging.

EXAMPLE: Antioxidant serum (vitamin C, resveratrol, etc.) – Isdin Isdinceutics Flavo-C Serum 30ml

Repairing serum with peptides

• Stimulates collagen synthesis and helps keep skin firm.

• Perfect for those who already notice loss of elasticity.

EXAMPLE: Repairing serum with peptides – Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Serum HA Epid Filler 30ml

Creams: the protective barrier for autumn

If serums are “shock treatments,” creams are the step that ensures lasting hydration and protection. In autumn, it’s important to choose formulas that strengthen the skin barrier and keep the skin comfortable throughout the day.

Creams that make a difference in autumn

Nourishing creams with ceramides and lipids

• Strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, essential to avoid dehydration and redness.

EXAMPLE: Nourishing creams with ceramides and lipids – CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion 52ml

Moisturizing creams with hyaluronic acid

• Provide continuous hydration and prevent tightness.

EXAMPLE: Moisturizing creams with hyaluronic acid – Isdin Isdinceutics Hyaluronic Moisture Hydrating Cream 50g

Calming creams with niacinamide

• Reduce sensitivity in delicate skin and soothe redness.

• Ideal for those who suffer from irritation due to cold weather.

EXAMPLE: Calming creams with niacinamide – La Roche Posay Mela B3 Cream SPF30 40ml

Anti-aging creams with gentle retinol or peptides

• In autumn/winter, when sun exposure is lower, it’s a good time to introduce renewing actives.

EXAMPLE: Anti-aging creams with gentle retinol or peptides – Esthederm Intensive Retinol Cream 50ml

How to combine serum and cream in autumn

To maximize results, it’s best to use serum and cream together, complementing each other’s functions. Here’s how to structure your routine:

Step 1: Gentle cleansing In autumn, the skin tends to be more sensitive and dry. Therefore, cleansing should be done with mild formulas that don’t compromise the skin barrier.

• Opt for gels or cleansing milks without harsh sulfates.

• Prefer formulas enriched with moisturizing agents (like glycerin or thermal water).

• Apply with gentle circular motions and avoid very hot water, which can increase dehydration. Result: clean, fresh skin ready for the next steps, without a tight feeling.

Step 2: Apply the serum The serum is the intensive treatment step, as it contains a high concentration of actives. This is where you should personalize your routine according to your skin’s needs.

• For hydration: choose serums with hyaluronic acid.

• For radiance: opt for serums with vitamin C.

• For redness and enlarged pores: niacinamide (vitamin B3) is the ideal choice.

• For mature skin: consider serums with peptides or gentle retinol.

Tip: Apply 3 to 4 drops on clean skin and spread with gentle tapping until absorbed. Result: powerful actives working directly on your skin’s main needs.

Step 3: Apply the cream The cream acts as a protective barrier that seals in the serum’s actives and ensures long-lasting hydration. In autumn, pay special attention to skin nourishment.

• Use creams with ceramides and lipids to strengthen the skin barrier.

• Choose slightly richer textures than those used in summer, but still comfortable for your skin type.

• If your skin is oily, choose oil-free formulas with a calming effect. Result: skin protected from external aggressions, with a feeling of comfort all day long.

Step 4: Keep applying sunscreen even in autumn Even in autumn, UV rays are still present and responsible for premature aging, dark spots, and skin sensitivity.

• Choose sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher.

• Prefer lightweight formulas adapted to your skin type (fluid for oily skin, cream for dry skin).

• Apply generously in the morning after your cream, and reapply whenever necessary. Result: skin protected against sun damage, staying youthful and healthy over time.

Extra tip: At night, replace sunscreen with a more nourishing or treatment cream (anti-aging, repairing, or brightening) to support the skin’s nighttime regeneration.

Benefits of a serum and cream routine for the skin

1. Less redness and discomfort from wind and cold Autumn brings wind, dry air, and lower temperatures — factors that irritate the skin and make it prone to redness.

• Calming serums with niacinamide (vitamin B3) reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier.

• Nourishing creams with thermal water or soothing ingredients help relieve discomfort.

2. More hydrated and soft skin throughout the day Temperature variations between cold outdoor air and heated indoor spaces favor water loss from the skin.

• Serums with hyaluronic acid act like sponges, attracting water molecules to the skin layers.

• Creams rich in ceramides, shea butter, or plant oils lock in moisture, keeping the skin comfortable for hours.

3. Less visible pores and smoother texture During summer, the skin produces more sebum, which can leave pores enlarged and clogged. Autumn is the right time to treat them.

• Serums with niacinamide balance oil production and reduce pore visibility.

• Creams with peptides or smoothing ingredients improve firmness and elasticity, contributing to a more even texture.

4. Correction of post-summer damage, such as dark spots and dehydration After months of sun exposure, the skin may show dark spots, uneven tone, and signs of dehydration.

• Antioxidant serums with vitamin C or resveratrol help reduce spots and restore radiance.

• Repairing creams with intensive moisturizing agents restore lost balance.

5. Prevention of signs of aging Autumn is the perfect season to introduce actives that fight wrinkles and loss of firmness, as sun exposure is lower.

• Serums with retinol or peptides stimulate cell renewal and collagen production.

• Antioxidant creams neutralize free radicals, the main culprits of premature aging.

Serums and creams are not just about hydration. In autumn, they become true allies against redness, dehydration, dark spots, and premature aging — restoring balance and health to your skin in a transitional season that requires specific skincare.

Investing in concentrated serums and nourishing creams is the best way to keep your skin balanced, healthy, and beautiful, even when facing external aggressions typical of this time of year.

At fahma.pt, you’ll find the right products to personalize your routine — from cutting-edge active serums to creams that protect the skin against climate variations. Because taking care of your skin is an act of self-care that should accompany you through every season.