Skincare awareness month tips for September
In honor of Skin Care Awareness Month, use this as your September reset.
What’s the quick answer?
Healthy skin starts with a barrier-first routine: treat diagnosed conditions with a professional plan, match products to your skin type, cleanse gently, exfoliate, moisturize morning and night, and protect with daily SPF. In September, focus on post-summer skin repair and simple switches that calm, hydrate, and prep skin for cooler weather.
What’s the short summary?
- Treat conditions (acne, eczema) with your doctor’s plan.
- Select products tailored to your specific skin type.
- Double cleanse; avoid stripping face cleansers.
- Exfoliate both your body and your face.
- Moisturize twice daily, and after exposure to sun, chlorine, or wind.
- Wear broad-spectrum SPF every day.
- Lighten makeup on flare-up days.
- Add targeted actives for aging concerns when skin is calm.
Do I have a skin condition that needs treatment?
Common conditions like eczema or acne can change how your skin looks and feels, and general skincare may not clear them completely. See your dermatologist for a diagnosis and treatment plan. With sensitive skin, know what triggers flare-ups so you can avoid products that worsen them. Your doctor may also recommend medicated skincare to replace or supplement parts of your routine.
September Skincare Tip: Book check-ins now so you can adjust prescriptions or routines before humidity drops.
What is my skin type, and why does it matter?
Everyone has a skin type that guides product choices: normal (balanced),
dry, oily, or combination. Once you know yours, choose formulas
designed for that type, and be careful taking advice from people with
different skin types.
September Skincare Tip: If summer oiliness is fading, consider moving from gels to lotions or creams.
How should I cleanse my face and body?
Cleansing removes sweat, debris, and buildup. Exfoliation can help on the body and the face. For your face, traditional bar soap is often too harsh; use a gentle facial cleanser that cleans without stripping, and for the body try using exfoliating gloves.
September Skincare Tip: Don’t stop at the jawline. Buff away post-summer buildup with Dermasuri Deep exfoliation gloves, then apply a hydrating body oil within two minutes to lock in hydration.
How often should I moisturize, and what type of moisturizer should I use?
Everyone benefits from moisturizing, especially if you have dryness or eczema. As a general rule, moisturize twice a day and after any stressor like sun or pool time. Use separate products for face, body, and hands. Hands often need a richer cream.
September Skincare Tip: Look for ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to re-hydrate after summer.
How do I protect my skin from the sun and daily stressors?
Use sunscreen every day, even when it is cool or cloudy. Sun damage dries skin, speeds visible aging, and raises melanoma risk. If you do get sunburned, use after-sun care or aloe vera and be gentle while it heals. Protective clothing, hats, and shade help. Use a mineral-based sunscreens if you have reactions to sunscreens.
September Skincare Tip: Keep SPF in the routine; UV exposure is year-round.
How should I balance skincare and makeup?
Your makeup is a mirror of your skincare. Texture shows through: unexfoliated skin makes foundation cling and settle into fine lines; dehydration makes makeup look cakey or patchy; an irritated barrier makes products pill or separate. Skincare first, makeup second.
I always say: it’s not your makeup that “sucks,” it’s your skincare routine.
- Prep that makes makeup look better
- Cleanse gently, then add a hydrating layer (essence or serum).
- Seal with the right moisturizer for your skin type and let it absorb.
- Use daily sunscreen (it can double as your primer if it grips well).
- Exfoliate lightly 1–2× weekly with a gentle acid or enzyme; skip gritty scrubs.
- During flare-ups, scale back active ingredients and lighten coverage so the skin can calm.
September Skincare tip: Try a tinted moisturizer plus targeted concealer instead of full-coverage layers. It looks fresher and won’t emphasize texture.
How should I care for aging skin?
Skin changes with time. But the key is aging gracefully. This is why consistency matters! Remember, it is much easier to repair than correct. When you notice a loss of elasticity or fine lines, consider targeted ingredients such as a vitamin C serum infused with gemstones, retinol, niacinamide, or peptides. Evolve your routine as needs change.
“Aging is inevitable; looking your age is optional.”
September Skincare Tip: For post-summer dark spots, try ANUA Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum (with Hyaluronic Acid). Start 3–4 nights a week, moisturize after, and don’t skip morning sunscreen.
What simple daily habits make the biggest difference?
- Cleanse gently morning and night.
- Moisturize right after cleansing on face and body.
- Apply SPF every morning; reapply when outdoors.
- Stay hydrated, manage stress, and prioritize sleep.
- Try an anti-aging pillow, wash pillowcases and face towels often; avoid smoking.
When should I see a dermatologist?
- Persistent or scarring acne
- Frequent or severe eczema or unexplained rashes
- New or changing moles
- Sunburns that blister or do not heal well
- Sudden texture, color, or sensitivity changes that do not resolve
What other September skincare questions do people ask? (FAQ)
Do I still need sunscreen in September?
Yes—UV exposure is year-round. Use broad-spectrum SPF every morning and reapply when outdoors.
Should I switch moisturizers for fall?
If your skin feels tight by afternoon, move from gels to lotions or creams and layer a hydrating serum underneath.
How often should I exfoliate after summer?
Once or twice weekly for most skin types. Choose gentler acids and skip gritty scrubs while your barrier recovers.
What are the best exfoliating gloves?
For gloves, my pick is Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Gloves. Use them one to two times weekly on damp skin after five to ten minutes in warm water. Apply light pressure, skip soaps or oils on the glove, and avoid broken, sunburned, or very sensitive skin.
Can I restart retinoids now?
Yes—go low and slow. Apply every third night, buffer with moisturizer, and increase only if skin stays comfortable.
What helps with post-summer dark spots?
Daily SPF plus a brightener like vitamin C or azelaic acid, used consistently for 8–12 weeks.
What’s an easy morning routine on busy days?
Cleanse, hydrating layer, moisturizer, SPF. Optional: tinted moisturizer + concealer.
How do I calm irritation fast?
Simplify for 1–2 weeks: gentle cleanser, barrier-repair moisturizer (ceramides/niacinamide), SPF; pause potent actives.
About the Author, Barbara Ritzman (barbie)
Barbie Ritzman is the founder of Barbie’s Beauty Bits, an award-winning beauty and content marketing platform. As a Beauty Editor and content strategist, she has been seen in outlets like Vogue, Entrepreneur, Allure, StyleCraze, Diibs, and ABC/NBC/CBS affiliates, and also contributes her expertise as a reviewer and beauty expert on wikiHow. With over a decade of experience, Barbie specializes in helping beauty brands, med spas, and plastic surgeons grow their online presence through SEO, strategic content, and social media marketing.
This post really made me understand just how much I DON’T take care of my skin. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI've spent so much seeing this dermatologist to try to address my nails and skin issue and I just couldn't maintain it for longer. Also, she prescribed this meds that she admits can sting your kidney and she was lengthening the time for me to take those pills. For someone who almost died from a kidney issue when I was a kid, that felt scary, so I stopped. I need to see another derma.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've been reading this book on a diet that would help clean my gut first so my skin issues will go away -- I just need a moment to prepare because the change would mean no meat.
thank you for sharing your morning ritual. i rarely use makeup and even moisturizer can be something i forget about but i need to work harder on making it a daily plan. - JOY
ReplyDeleteI really love these tips. I think too many people sleep on considering their skin type and if they have combination skin. It really makes a difference when you're choosing your skincare products!
ReplyDeleteConsidering my age has become so much more of a priority for me when I practice skincare. I find that as I make my way through my forties, my skin's needs have really changed quite dramatically.
ReplyDeleteGreat skincare tips. I know for me it seems I need lots of moisturizers, my skin is always so dry and maybe I need to change up my skincare routine again. I do want to try the Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Gloves though.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate how you remind us to match skincare steps, like sunscreen and exfoliation—to our unique skin types; it makes self-care feel both realistic and tailored.
ReplyDelete