The arrival of autumn brings cooler mornings, crisp air and cosy evenings — but for some of us, it also brings dry, tight and itchy skin.
As the temperature drops and we start reaching for the heating, our skin can begin to feel different. Legs may feel particularly dry and itchy, hands can become rough and uncomfortable, and skin that was perfectly happy through the summer can suddenly need a little more care.
The good news is that a few simple changes to your everyday skincare routine can help support your skin as the seasons change.
Why does skin become itchy in autumn?
There isn't necessarily one single reason for autumn itchiness. As the weather changes, our skin is exposed to a combination of cooler outdoor air, wind, lower humidity and warmer, drier indoor air from central heating.
Hotter showers and baths can also be tempting when the temperature falls, but very hot water can leave already-dry skin feeling even more uncomfortable.
All of this can contribute to the skin losing moisture, leaving it feeling:
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Dry and tight
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Rough or flaky
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Sensitive
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Uncomfortable after washing
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Itchy, particularly on the arms and legs
If your skin tends to become drier as autumn turns to winter, this is a good time to look at your daily routine and make it a little gentler.
Keep your cleansing routine gentle
One of the simplest places to start is with the products you use to wash your skin.
You don't need to scrub dry skin into submission. In fact, vigorous scrubbing can leave skin feeling more irritated and uncomfortable.
Instead, choose a gentle cleansing product and avoid excessively hot water. Let the cleanser do the work, rinse thoroughly and pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it vigorously with a towel.
For particularly dry skin, you may also find that you don't need a long, hot shower every time you wash.
Don't forget to moisturise
Moisturising is particularly important when the weather becomes colder.
After bathing or showering, gently pat your skin dry and apply your moisturiser while your skin still has a little moisture left on it. This helps to keep your skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Pay particular attention to areas that tend to become dry, such as:
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Shins and lower legs
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Elbows
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Knees
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Hands
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Feet
And don't wait until your skin is extremely dry before reaching for your moisturiser. Making it part of your everyday routine can be much easier than trying to catch up once your skin is already feeling uncomfortable.
Give your hands some extra care
Our hands often notice the change in season before the rest of us.
Cooler weather, frequent hand washing and exposure to wind can leave hands feeling dry, rough and tight.
Keep a moisturising cream nearby and make a habit of applying it after washing your hands and whenever they feel dry.
At night, applying a richer layer before bed can be a simple way of giving your hands some extra care while you sleep.
Think about what's next to your skin
It's easy to concentrate on skincare products and forget about the other things our skin comes into contact with every day.
As the weather cools, we naturally start wearing more layers. If your skin is feeling particularly sensitive or itchy, consider whether fabrics, detergents or heavily fragranced products could be contributing to the problem.
Soft, breathable clothing can be more comfortable against dry skin, while keeping bedding and clothing clean with a detergent that your skin tolerates well may also help.
Sometimes a simpler routine really is better.
Your autumn skincare routine
You don't need a complicated collection of products to look after your skin as the seasons change.
A simple routine could look like this:
1. Cleanse gently
Use a mild cleansing product and avoid very hot water.
2. Pat dry
Avoid rubbing your skin vigorously with your towel.
3. Moisturise
Apply your body cream while your skin is still slightly damp.
4. Pay attention to dry areas
Give your hands, elbows, knees, feet and lower legs a little extra care.
5. Repeat regularly
Consistency is often more useful than having a bathroom shelf full of different products.
Choosing natural skincare for dry skin
At Silk Town Soap, we believe skincare doesn't have to be complicated.
Our approach is centred around simple, thoughtfully made products and ingredients chosen with your skin in mind.
If your skin is feeling dry and uncomfortable this autumn, our skincare range offers a selection of soaps and creams to help you create a simple, comforting daily routine.
For everyday cleansing, choose a soap that suits your skin and follow with one of our moisturising creams to help keep skin feeling soft and nourished.
If you're unsure which products would suit you best, our Skin Quiz can help you find the products that fit your particular skin needs.
What about particularly itchy skin?
Dryness is one possible reason for itchy skin, but it isn't the only one.
If your itching is persistent, severe, unexplained or accompanied by a rash, swelling, pain, broken skin or other symptoms, it's worth speaking to a pharmacist, GP or other healthcare professional rather than assuming that dry skin is the cause.
Skincare can be an important part of caring for your skin, but sometimes itching has an underlying cause that needs professional advice.
A little extra care for autumn
Autumn doesn't have to mean accepting dry, uncomfortable skin as part of the season.
Small changes can make your routine feel much kinder: turn down the temperature of your shower, choose gentle cleansing products, moisturise regularly and give those easily forgotten areas — particularly your hands and lower legs — a little extra attention.
And perhaps most importantly, listen to your skin.
If it feels tight, dry or uncomfortable, that's a good reason to simplify your routine and give it some extra care.
As the seasons change, your skincare routine can change with them.
Discover Silk Town Soap's skincare range
Explore our collection of thoughtfully made soaps and skincare products designed to make everyday body care feel a little more special.
