Transitional Skincare Products for Cooler Weather

Dry, flaky skin and makeup do not mix. So in the colder months, we like to work in a hydrating primer to ensure that our makeup looks smooth and doesn’t dry out throughout the day. This one from Merit is a nice choice. It’s made with a proprietary ceramide complex, glycerin, and oat extract that leaves skin firm and smooth — the perfect canvas for makeup. It also absorbs quickly and doesn’t pill. Even if you’re not a makeup wearer, this works beautifully as an everyday moisturizer. ($38, Merit)

In the fall and winter months, we do everything we can to coddle our skin — including using hydrating oil-based cleansers, rather than lightweight micellar water, to remove our makeup. This one from Bubble uses sunflower seed, prickly pear, and rosehip oils to effectively break down sunscreen and makeup, including waterproof formulas. Your skin will feel clean and super soft to the touch when you wash it off. We love the under-$20 price tag, too. ($17, Bubble Skincare)

If you haven't hopped on the RLT trend yet, now’s the time. More and more research shows how effective it can be for alleviating UV damage if you spent a little too much time in the sun over the summer, reducing acne scarring, and even boosting your mood. We vouch for this one from HigherDose. When we tested it, all our testers noticed their skin was less inflamed, existing breakouts appeared flatter, and their overall complexion looked smoother. Plus, the hands-free wear lets you go about your work or chores unencumbered. ($349, HigherDose)

This one is a staple in our skincare routine all year round, but it’s a smart choice for the colder months in particular. Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps, and vitamin B5 can bolster your skin barrier to protect against the elements. Squeeze a couple of drops straight onto your face in the morning and nighttime, or work it in with your moisturizer. ($9.90, Sephora)

This face oil combines the brightening powers of THD ascorbate — one of the most effective forms of vitamin C — and the calming effects of golden turmeric to give dull winter skin a glow. It soaks into your skin almost instantly, allowing you to pair it with other serums and creams without feeling too heavy. We highly recommend snagging this brightening serum from the same line for even more brightening effects. ($80, Sunday Riley)

If winter brings redness and eczema along with it, this serum is a must-have to add to your routine. Avocado butter works to hydrate, rice milk soothes, and ceramides protect your skin barrier and calm redness. Use one to two pumps each morning and night after cleansing for the best results. ($45, Glow Recipe) 

This is the most effective lip mask we’ve tried. It’s hydrating without being sticky, and gives your lips a pretty, dewy sheen. It comes in a little tub with an applicator to keep your fingers clean, and features ingredients like squalane to lock in moisture and Japanese peach to repair chapped, dry lips. ($29, Tatcha)

We use this serum-like sunscreen over the summer months, too. But when the sun starts to wane, we love the way it brings some light back into our complexion. It has SPF 30 with soothing zinc, strengthening peptides, and a hint of radiance. It comes in three shades that offer light coverage, so it can also work as your base makeup. ($48, Credo)

Once we used this cryo rubber mask, we never looked back. Regular sheet masks can be hard to put on and dry out quickly, but these rubber masks hold so much product and have a sturdier silicone structure that comes in two pieces, so you get full coverage. This one comes with an ampoule of hyaluronic acid that leaves your skin super hydrated and glowy. Pro tip: Store yours in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation. ($15, Sephora)

This retinol oil from Drunk Elephant is a smart way to double down on the nourishment your skin needs when the weather gets cooler. It’s also great for retinol beginners or those who have sensitive skin, since it’s packed with ceramides and marula oil to lock in hydration. We recommend using this at night, since even the gentlest forms of retinol can sensitize your skin to the sun. ($72, Sephora)

This gentle cleanser combines moisturizing hyaluronic acid and exfoliating AHAs in one gel formula that can be used three ways. Wash your face with it, remove your makeup with it, or let it sit on your skin for five minutes like a mask before continuing on with your normal routine. Unlike other gel formulas, it won’t leave your skin feeling tight and stripped. Use this after the Bubble oil cleanser above, as the first step in your double-cleansing routine. ($34, Sephora)

If you have normal to combination skin and are looking for a lightweight moisturizer to use morning and night, this is the one. It has hibiscus extract that helps slow down sebum production, celery seed extract to minimize pores, and lilac extract to mattify. On its own, it'll be moisturizing enough for those early fall days. When it gets truly cold out, it'll layer nicely over an oil or hydrating serum, without feeling heavy. ($16, Bubble Skincare)