Fall Skincare Essentials: Why October is the Best Time to Optimize Your Routine

As we enter October, the environmental changes bring new challenges for your skin. With cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels, the transition can wreak havoc on your skin’s natural barrier. Scientific evidence shows that the skin’s response to seasonal variations involves a complex interplay between hydration, lipid production, and barrier function. Failing to adjust your routine can lead to accelerated signs of aging, dryness, and even inflammation.

Let’s break down why it’s critical to switch up your skincare now and how to make scientifically sound choices this fall.

Why Drugstore Skincare Costs You More in the Long Run

Drugstore products often contain lower concentrations of active ingredients, making them less potent and, ultimately, less effective. But that’s not the only issue. Drugstore products are often mishandled during storage, exposed to temperature changes and harsh lighting, which further degrade the active ingredients. This means you’re applying products that are already losing efficacy by the time you open them. Clinical research has shown that ingredients like vitamin C and retinol—both highly sensitive to light and air—can lose up to 70% of their potency within months if not stored correctly. In essence, you’re buying a product that may do little to improve your skin’s health and appearance.

Not only does this mean your skincare routine is less effective, but it also ends up being more expensive in the long run. Because you’re not getting the desired results, you end up buying more products or using larger quantities. Over time, this cycle of spending can surpass the cost of a single, high-potency, medical-grade product that delivers the results you need in less time.

Why Choose Medical-Grade Skincare?

Medical-grade skincare, on the other hand, undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that the potency of active ingredients is maintained throughout its shelf life. These formulations are clinically researched and proven to penetrate the skin at deeper levels, providing results at a cellular level that drugstore products simply can’t match. Investing in medical-grade products means choosing long-term efficacy and savings, with ingredients that are handled and stored to ensure maximum benefit.

Seasonal Changes and Your Skin: The Science Behind It

Your skin’s response to seasonal changes involves a complex interplay between moisture retention, barrier function, and lipid production. As temperatures drop in October, the skin’s lipid matrix (the natural oils that keep your skin hydrated) weakens, leading to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This phenomenon causes the skin to lose moisture more rapidly, making it more susceptible to environmental stressors like wind, pollution, and colder air. Research published in the Journal of Dermatological Science shows that increased TEWL in the fall and winter months can compromise the skin’s natural barrier, leaving it vulnerable to dryness, redness, and inflammation.

The Best Skincare Routine for October

  1. Use Barrier-Repairing Moisturizers
    As TEWL increases, the focus should be on restoring the skin’s natural lipid barrier. Look for ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids—key components in barrier-repair moisturizers. Ceramides, in particular, act as the “cement” that holds your skin cells together, preventing moisture loss and enhancing the skin’s resilience.

  2. Incorporate a High-Strength Retinol
    Retinol is the gold standard for addressing post-summer pigmentation and boosting cell turnover. However, many drugstore retinols are not stabilized, making them ineffective by the time they reach your skin. Choose a well-formulated, medical-grade retinol to address pigmentation and improve skin texture. 

  3. Boost Hydration with Hyaluronic Acid
    Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an essential ingredient for maintaining moisture during drier months. Medical-grade formulations often include varying molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, allowing for deeper penetration and longer-lasting hydration.

  4. Don’t Skip the SPF
    UVA rays are present year-round and can penetrate through clouds, contributing to collagen breakdown and pigmentation. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF with physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for optimal protection.

  5. Treat Post-Summer Pigmentation with Lumecca IPL
    Lumecca IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments are highly effective in reducing pigmentation, redness, and sun spots accumulated during the summer. The advanced technology targets melanin and hemoglobin in the skin, breaking down pigmented cells and revealing a clearer, more even complexion.

The R+H Difference: Where Science Meets Art

At R+H Aesthetic Medicine, our Master Artist Injectors are committed to helping you navigate these seasonal changes with scientifically-backed skincare and advanced in-office treatments. We pride ourselves on offering skincare solutions that align with our motto: Safety, Comfort, Results, and Luxury. Our goal is to help you Look Your Best and Most Refreshed by creating custom skincare plans that reflect your unique needs.

Flexible Payment Options for Your Convenience

We know that investing in high-quality skincare is an important decision. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans through our Allē Payment Plans, powered by Cherry, as well as CareCredit. Whether you’re looking to build your skincare arsenal or plan for advanced in-office treatments, you can choose a payment plan that works for you—with APR starting as low as 0%. To learn more about our financing options, click here.

Ready to Transform Your Skin This Fall?

Investing in medical-grade skincare now will pay dividends in the health and appearance of your skin all year long. Visit one of our locations or browse our online shop for the best in medical-grade skincare:

Visit Us Today:

  • Lake Tahoe: (530) 237-4730

  • Roseville: (916) 209-0545

  • West Sac: (916) 617-2331

Self-Book Online Now: Click here to book your appointment.

To explore our current specials and exclusive offers, visit our current promotions.

At R+H Aesthetic Medicine, Safety, Comfort, Results, and Luxury aren’t just words—they’re our promise to help you Look Your Best and Most Refreshed!



Published: Oct 01, 2024

Fall Skincare Essentials: Why October is the Best Time to Optimize Your Routine

As we enter October, the environmental changes bring new challenges for your skin. With cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels, the transition can wreak havoc on your skin’s natural barrier. Scientific evidence shows that the skin’s response to seasonal variations involves a complex interplay between hydration, lipid production, and barrier function. Failing to adjust your routine can lead to accelerated signs of aging, dryness, and even inflammation.

Let’s break down why it’s critical to switch up your skincare now and how to make scientifically sound choices this fall.

Why Drugstore Skincare Costs You More in the Long Run

Drugstore products often contain lower concentrations of active ingredients, making them less potent and, ultimately, less effective. But that’s not the only issue. Drugstore products are often mishandled during storage, exposed to temperature changes and harsh lighting, which further degrade the active ingredients. This means you’re applying products that are already losing efficacy by the time you open them. Clinical research has shown that ingredients like vitamin C and retinol—both highly sensitive to light and air—can lose up to 70% of their potency within months if not stored correctly. In essence, you’re buying a product that may do little to improve your skin’s health and appearance.

Not only does this mean your skincare routine is less effective, but it also ends up being more expensive in the long run. Because you’re not getting the desired results, you end up buying more products or using larger quantities. Over time, this cycle of spending can surpass the cost of a single, high-potency, medical-grade product that delivers the results you need in less time.

Why Choose Medical-Grade Skincare?

Medical-grade skincare, on the other hand, undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that the potency of active ingredients is maintained throughout its shelf life. These formulations are clinically researched and proven to penetrate the skin at deeper levels, providing results at a cellular level that drugstore products simply can’t match. Investing in medical-grade products means choosing long-term efficacy and savings, with ingredients that are handled and stored to ensure maximum benefit.

Seasonal Changes and Your Skin: The Science Behind It

Your skin’s response to seasonal changes involves a complex interplay between moisture retention, barrier function, and lipid production. As temperatures drop in October, the skin’s lipid matrix (the natural oils that keep your skin hydrated) weakens, leading to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This phenomenon causes the skin to lose moisture more rapidly, making it more susceptible to environmental stressors like wind, pollution, and colder air. Research published in the Journal of Dermatological Science shows that increased TEWL in the fall and winter months can compromise the skin’s natural barrier, leaving it vulnerable to dryness, redness, and inflammation.

The Best Skincare Routine for October

  1. Use Barrier-Repairing Moisturizers
    As TEWL increases, the focus should be on restoring the skin’s natural lipid barrier. Look for ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids—key components in barrier-repair moisturizers. Ceramides, in particular, act as the “cement” that holds your skin cells together, preventing moisture loss and enhancing the skin’s resilience.

  2. Incorporate a High-Strength Retinol
    Retinol is the gold standard for addressing post-summer pigmentation and boosting cell turnover. However, many drugstore retinols are not stabilized, making them ineffective by the time they reach your skin. Choose a well-formulated, medical-grade retinol to address pigmentation and improve skin texture. 

  3. Boost Hydration with Hyaluronic Acid
    Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an essential ingredient for maintaining moisture during drier months. Medical-grade formulations often include varying molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, allowing for deeper penetration and longer-lasting hydration.

  4. Don’t Skip the SPF
    UVA rays are present year-round and can penetrate through clouds, contributing to collagen breakdown and pigmentation. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF with physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for optimal protection.

  5. Treat Post-Summer Pigmentation with Lumecca IPL
    Lumecca IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments are highly effective in reducing pigmentation, redness, and sun spots accumulated during the summer. The advanced technology targets melanin and hemoglobin in the skin, breaking down pigmented cells and revealing a clearer, more even complexion.

The R+H Difference: Where Science Meets Art

At R+H Aesthetic Medicine, our Master Artist Injectors are committed to helping you navigate these seasonal changes with scientifically-backed skincare and advanced in-office treatments. We pride ourselves on offering skincare solutions that align with our motto: Safety, Comfort, Results, and Luxury. Our goal is to help you Look Your Best and Most Refreshed by creating custom skincare plans that reflect your unique needs.

Flexible Payment Options for Your Convenience

We know that investing in high-quality skincare is an important decision. That’s why we offer flexible payment plans through our Allē Payment Plans, powered by Cherry, as well as CareCredit. Whether you’re looking to build your skincare arsenal or plan for advanced in-office treatments, you can choose a payment plan that works for you—with APR starting as low as 0%. To learn more about our financing options, click here.

Ready to Transform Your Skin This Fall?

Investing in medical-grade skincare now will pay dividends in the health and appearance of your skin all year long. Visit one of our locations or browse our online shop for the best in medical-grade skincare:

Visit Us Today:

  • Lake Tahoe: (530) 237-4730

  • Roseville: (916) 209-0545

  • West Sac: (916) 617-2331

Self-Book Online Now: Click here to book your appointment.

To explore our current specials and exclusive offers, visit our current promotions.

At R+H Aesthetic Medicine, Safety, Comfort, Results, and Luxury aren’t just words—they’re our promise to help you Look Your Best and Most Refreshed!



Call or text us today to schedule an appointment. We can help you look and feel your best!

Roseville

P:(916) 209-0545 T:Text Us E:[email protected] 580 N Sunrise Ave Ste 150
Roseville, CA 95661

South Lake Tahoe

P:(530) 237-4730 T:Text Us E:[email protected] 589 Tahoe Keys Blvd Suite E-2
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

West Sac

P:(916) 617-2331 T:Text Us E:[email protected] 2240 Lake Washington Blvd
Suite 130
West Sacramento, CA 95691