How To Transition Your Beauty Routine From Summer To Fall — As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”

While we’re still hitting triple-digit temperatures here in Austin, we’ll be ushering in the first day of fall next Monday, September 23rd. Sure, it will probably feel like summer is still in full swing as we kick off next week, but that’s bound to change soon — and, before we know it, we’ll be reaching for our sweaters and ankle boots. Not only should we update our wardrobes as the seasons change, but we should also tweak our skincare and haircare routines accordingly.

As we navigate this transitional period, the weather will become increasingly erratic and that, in turn, can wreak havoc on our complexions. In order to help you make some much-needed changes to your beauty routines during this summer-to-fall shift, I stopped by CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” yesterday with some helpful tips and product recs. Check out the segment above (or click here to view on CBSAustin.com) and keep reading for more details on the products seen on air!

OZ NATURALS DRAGON’S BLOOD FACIAL SERUM

Remember all that fun you had in the sun? All those days spent running through waterparks, splashing in the pool, and building sand castles at the beach? Well, they likely took a toll on your skin. After all, even when we’re super cautious about applying sunscreen, we can still have mishaps. I, for one, am notorious for sweating off all my sunscreen during my outdoor workouts (yes, y’all, even waterproof and sports sunscreen formulas are no match for my sweaty self during a rigorous session), and that can leave my skin vulnerable. And here in Texas, you can wind up lobster red in the amount of time it takes to water your lawn or put gas in the car!

Simply put: our skin tends to take a beating over the summer. As we move into fall, it’s important to give our skin some extra attention and focus on healing any damage incurred during the summer months. To repair sun-ravaged skin, I strongly recommend using the new OZ Naturals Dragon’s Blood Facial Serum ($24.95 at OZNaturals.com and Amazon.com), a superhero, multi-tasking serum that quickly and effectively calms inflammation and reduces redness. It also helps to heal everything from acne and scarring to hyperpigmentation, so i’s a true lifesaver during these transitional weeks.

The antioxidant-rich formula contains dragon’s blood, which is the red-colored resin of the Amazonian dragon tree, along with vitamin C, rose hips, and green tea, all working together to speed up the cellular regeneration process and promote collagen synthesis. As a result, the serum not only soothes and protects, but it also rejuvenates the complexion, leading to a smoother texture and a healthy and youthful glow.

As with all OZ Naturals products, the serum is created using a cold processing technique that preserves the potency of the formula’s active ingredients. See, when natural oils and ingredients are exposed to heat, they often lose many key nutrients which, in turn, lessens the efficacy of the formulas they’re meant to power. By focusing on cold processing, then, OZ Naturals ensures that every ingredient in its formula lives up to its full potential.

SEROVITAL ADVANCED

Skin might be dehydrated after the summer months and to nurse it back to health, a holistic approach is key. What we apply to our skin is just one half of the equation:   after all, when we don’t feed our bodies properly, that will also affect our exterior appearance. But there are other factors that might affect our skin’s health as we move into autumn — among them stress and lack of sleep. Now that the kids are back in school and our work schedules are more rigorous (no more summer Fridays!), we’re likely feeling more pressure, and an increase in stress can lead to everything from poor sleep quality to raised cortisol levels that stimulate the appetite (and therefore lead to weight gain).

To look and feel better all year long, we can rely on SeroVital Advanced ($119 at SeroVital.com). This two-step supplement system features clinically-validated formulas that work on a cellular level to help women achieve true wellness. The formulas improve skin hydration and elasticity, plus they boost energy, improve sleep quality, uplift your mood, and heighten mental focus. There are two different formulas: one that’s meant to be consumed in the morning and one for the evening hours.

The Morning Blend contains ceramides, collagen, keratin peptides and hyaluronic acid to help you achieve more hydrated, supple, taut skin. It also contains key minerals  like zinc and selenium that protect the skin from UV radiation and other external aggressors, plus coffee bean extract to yield an energy boost and enhance mental clarity.  You just take 1 white tablet and 1 red tablet with food in the morning.

The Evening Blend, meanwhile, contains an exclusive, patented blend of amino acids that supports the body’s natural production of HGH, the human growth hormone. HGH plays many important roles in the human body, affecting everything from metabolism to cellular repair and muscle growth. As we age, our HGH levels decrease, which is why this supplement system is so key. For optimal benefits, take the 4 yellow capsules that comprise the Evening Blend on an empty stomach (at least two hours after dinner) before hitting the sheets.

DERMAFLASH DERMAPORE PORE EXTRACTOR & SERUM INFUSER

Did you know that breakouts are most common in the autumn season? Here’s why: our skin’s sebum production increases over the hot and humid summer months, and that oil flow is still occurring as we move into autumn, but now it’s coupled with drier and cooler air that can create dead cell build-up, thereby trapping dirt, oil, and bacteria underneath and leading to some major acne eruptions.

To keep your complexion clear and blemish-free, then, turn to the latest 2-in-1 sonic innovation from DERMAFLASH: the DERMAPORE Pore Extractor & Serum Infuser ( $99 at Dermaflash.com, ULTA, and Nordstrom). The sleek DERMAPORE device has two modes: Extract, which removes dirt, oil, and bacteria lurking inside pores; and Infuse, which maximizes the skin’s ability to absorb the active ingredients in your favorite serums and moisturizers.

If your skin is looking congested, reach for the DERMAPORE and activate the Extract mode. Ideally, you want to do so after cleansing, while skin is still wet and pores are nice and open. You can activate the mode by pressing the power button once, and then just glide the DERMAPORE over your complexion, placing the uniquely-shaped spatula at a 45-degree angle against your skin and applying gentle pressure. The stainless steel spatula combined with the device’s  sonic vibrations will unclog  pores, extract blackheads and minimize pore size.

Once you’ve finished clearing up those pores, you can sanitize your device and apply your go-to serum or moisturizer. Then, to get the most out of those skincare products, you can activate the Infuse mode. You just need to press the power button twice and place the spatula flat against the skin. The sonic vibrations will help drive those ingredients deeper into the skin, maximizing their efficacy.

SKIN RESEARCH LABORATORIES COMPLEXION KIT

Autumn is prime-time for exfoliation – just like trees need to shed their leaves, we need to remove those dead and dull surface skin cells lingering atop our complexions. But, of course, we can’t exfoliate without hydrating afterwards!

That’s why the new Complexion Kit from Skin Research Laboratories ($120 at SkinResearchLabs.com and Nordstrom) is such a genius system. The kit has everything you need to renew skin post-summer, featuring month’s worth of truly luxurious at-home facials that involve a two-step process.

First, you use the neuREFLECTION Complexion Perfecting Polish to buff away dead skin cells and leave skin looking refined and radiant. This whipped facial polish contains kaolin and charcoal powder to draw out impurities, sucrose to mechanically exfoliate while drawing moisture to skin (sugar is, after all, a humectant), and shea butter to soften and nourish the skin.

After exfoliating, you can pamper your skin with the hydrating neuINFUSION Dry Masks. There’s one mask for the face and one for the neck, and they’re designed to be used in unison. Both masks are dry to the touch so they’re completely mess-free (no liquid serums that drip all over the couch and floor!). To use, you just place the masks with the printed side against the skin, using their respective built-in  ear hooks to secure them in place. Once you’e properly positioned both masks, you can activate the treatment by massaging the soft fabric. The ingredients in the formula — which include olive oil, avocado oil, rosemary leaf extract, plankton extract, and shea butter — will then be infused into skin. After 15 minutes, you can remove the masks and carefully store them in their pouches because — get this! — you can reuse each one up to five times.

AETHERA EVERYDAY BOTANICAL BRIGHTENING CONCENTRATE WITH CANNABIS SATIVA

Are you dreading the day when you look in the mirror and realize your summer glow has vanished without a trace? Well, worry not! With the Aethera Everyday Botanical Brightening Concentrate ($45 at AetheraBeauty.com), you can keep that lit-from-within effect going strong throughout the season of pumpkin spice treats, cozy sweaters, and hot cocoa.

This fast-absorbing serum contains soothing cannabis sativa, otherwise known as hemp seed oil, which helps to modulate the skin’s oil production and which is rife with omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids that hydrate skin. Ingredients like chamomile, honeysuckle extract, and turmeric, meanwhile, work their anti-inflammatory powers to soothe stressed skin. Other powerhouse ingredients include acerola cherry,  guava extract, and papaya seed oil — all great sources of vitamin C that help to boost the skin’s luminosity, fade dark spots, and yield a more even skin tone.

This illuminating serum contains no parabens, sulfates, phtalates, or artificial colors. Instead, the serum’s formula is inspired by powerful tropical botanical concentrates used by island healers and in DIY remedies in the Caribbean, which is why you’ll find everything from the aforementioned ingredients to tamarind extract, sugarcane juice, and coconut oil.

As a beautiful gesture of solidarity, through the end of September, Aethera is donating 50% of sales on AetheraBeauty.com to hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean.

THE MORE ORCHID STEM CELL BOOST

Just like human stem cells, plant stem cells have the ability to renew and repair themselves, but plant stem cells actually boast higher levels of antioxidants (scientists believe that, because plants are stationary, they’ve had to develop stronger systems to protect themselves from environmental aggressors). These super potent plant extracts, when applied to our skin, can have extraordinary anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging benefits. This knowledge of the power of plant stem cells inspired the creation of the Orchid Stem Cell Boost from Los Angeles-based clean beauty brand The More.

This groundbreaking serum is sold in a box containing five  packets — each housing a syringe-shaped tube filled with the powerhouse formula. And don’t worry: there’s no needles involved!  You simply press the syringe-shaped tube’s plunger down to dispense the formula and proceed to  massage it onto your skin, using upwards, sweeping motions

This serum contains orchid stem cells, which promote collagen production, as well as micro algae, which protects skin from environmental stressors, skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, and citric acid, which detoxifies and exfoliates skin.

The serum can be applied after medical procedures like laser or microneedling or you can use it as a daily skin nutrition boost as it will hydrate, brighten, and tighten the complexion while also soothing any irritation, eliminating flaking, and preventing wrinkles.

It’s $298 at TheMoreInc.com

TREE HUT SHEA SUGAR SCRUBS

The season of rompers, cut-off shorts, and teeny skirts may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean we want to have rough, ashy, dull-looking legs and arms, right? To keep the skin below the neck soft, smooth, and radiant, we need to exfoliate regularly. The key is finding a body polish that isn’t overly harsh and that will not only exfoliate skin, but also hydrate and nourish it.

I love Tree Hut’s Sugar Shea Scrubs ($8.99 each at ULTA and Amazon.com) because they slough off those dead skin cells while also infusing the skin with certified shea butter and an array of skin-loving natural oils like avocado, evening primrose, and sweet almond oils.

You can keep the summer spirit alive with the Vitamin C Shea Sugar Scrub, which contains grapefruit peel oil and coconut shell powder for a yummy tropical scent that will transport you to an island paradise, or dive into a fall frame of mind with the inviting aroma of the Brown Sugar Shea Sugar Scrub (which totally makes me want to bake some cookies!).

SHEAMOISTURE COCONUT & HIBISCUS FRIZZ-FREE CURL MOUSSE

We tend to associate hot and humid weather with frizzy and unruly strands, but here’s the ugly truth: frizz isn’t just a summertime nuisance. The cold and dry air that comes with fall and winter can also lead to raised cuticles and cause a frizz-tastrophe. And while most women battle with frizz in some capacity, those of us with curly hair know that our straight-haired friends’ skirmishes pale in comparison to the wars we have to wage to keep our manes from looking chaotic. In the end, though, it’s about having the right weaponry.

If you want to rock bouncy, defined, smooth curls all year long, check out the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse ($8.29 at Target.com). This styling aid is designed to enhance your natural curl memory and wave pattern, and it won’t leave hair stiff, sticky, or crunchy. It also doesn’t contain any drying alcohols that will impair your hair’s health. Instead, it contains moisturizing coconut oil, frizz-fighting neem oil, smoothing silk protein, and nourishing shea butter.