Fall Skin Care Tips: How to Prepare Your Skin for Cold Weather on Long Island, NY
- Nina Livii K.
- Sep 25
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 30
If you've noticed your skin looking and feeling more dull, dry, dehydrated, tight or even inflamed during the colder months in the Northeast, (sometimes as early as September), you're not alone. In this post, we'll explore why colder weather impacts the skin so strongly, and I'll share effective and holistic tips to keep your skin healthy and resilient through the upcoming season.
I am Nina Livii, a Holistic Esthetician based in Northport, Long Island, NY and I specialize in skin care that supports the key pillars of skin health and wellness. Every year, it is common for me to hear from people that their skin starts looking more dull, and feeling more reactive and dry, once cooler weather starts rolling in, despite using 'thicker moisturizer'. The skin requires more than a heavy moisturizer to get through the colder months with a glow.
Your skin is a complex organ with its own unique biochemistry, and it responds to seasonal shifts the same way your body does. Many clients opt for corrective treatments during winter due to not having to worry about sun exposure, however, this season is also about nourishment and prevention as you navigate through coastal air, holiday stress, seasonal mood shifts, changing circadian rhythms, and shifting routines.
Why Fall & Winter Hits Skin on Long Island (and the whole Northeast) so Hard
Colder, dry air that lacks moisture - The skin generally pulls moisture from the air when there is enough humidity, however dry air actually pulls moisture from the skin. When moisture is pulled from the skin, you are more prone to TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss) which leads to drier, dehydrated skin. It's also important to note that dehydrated skin may lead to skin texture imbalances (think more visible pores and wrinkles), or it may even create excess oil to overcompensate (which can cause more clogged pores and break outs).
Indoor heating systems - These tend to reduce humidity in the air even further, leading to a weakened and sensitized skin barrier.
Wind exposure - Wind exposure can disrupt the skin's natural lipid barrier which is crucial for maintaining moisture and protecting against external irritants. The breaking down of the barrier makes the skin more susceptible to irritation and dryness. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, wind is seen as something that can invade the body and lower the body's defense systems, allowing pathogens to enter through the skin and weakening the immune system
Seasonal mood shifts & changing circadian rhythms - Some people may experience seasonal depression, which impacts the skin through the body's stress response. The circadian rhythm gets impacted as days become shorter and darker, which effects the skin’s circadian rhythm. The skin's circadian rhythm is responsible for the skin’s functions (including restoring hydration and lipids that keep the skin hydrated and plump).
Holiday stress - When the nervous system is stressed, so is the skin due to constantly rising cortisol levels and tension held in the tissues (that most of us aren't aware of).
Change in diet - We tend to opt for heavier, thicker foods and more carbs (sometimes more sugar, especially around the holidays) which can become a burden on the body if eaten in excess. The skin is a detox organ, so when the body and digestive system is burdened with overload, the skin will start showing signs, especially if the skin's microbiome (which communicates with the gut microbiome) is off balance.
Less Active, More Stagnation - Many of us find ourselves becoming less active during the colder months (this is a normal and common response as the body is biologically designed to conserve energy in the colder seasons). However, less activity means more stagnation, especially in the lymphatic system, where 30% of lymph is located around the face, neck and head. Lymphatic stagnation and decreased blood flow in the skin leads to dullness, puffiness, and more break outs.
How to Prepare For & Care for the Skin During Cold Seasonal Shifts
Nourishment, protection, prevention and lymphatic flow are essential for maintaining skin health through the cold months in the Northeast. I always recommend starting as early in the season as possible - BEFORE the signs of barrier impairment start appearing. While fall and winter can be ideal for corrective treatments, those results won't be optimal or last long if the skin barrier isn't balanced and resilient. When barrier health is compromised (which often happens in the colder months of Long Island), healing slows, and corrective treatments simply won't work as well. Long term results from corrective treatment greatly depend on barrier health, which is why it should always be first priority.
Top 11 skin care tips from a Holistic Esthetician on preparing and nourishing your skin for Fall & Winter months on Long Island:
A customized skin care routine: Make sure your skin care routine is tailored to your unique skin type. An improper skin routine will throw the barrier off balance, making it more prone to general dysfunction which lowers it's ability to protect the skin from water loss and irritation.
Heavy focus on barrier health and barrier protection: The barrier needs lipids and natural moisturizing factors to retain moisture . Lipids regulate how water and electrolytes move across the skin while helping to balance the skin's microbiome. Skin care should include ingredients that are biocompatible with the skin barrier's own natural lipids. Think lipids like: ceramides, squalene and fatty acids. Natural moisturizing factors that mimic the skin's natural hydration need to be balanced with lipids - NMF's include amino acids, and humectants like hyaluronic acid (not all types of HA are for everyone), glycerin, urea, certain peptides, sodium PCA, and properly formulated botanicals like Beta Glucan, Snow Mushroom and Centella Asiatica (actually proven to hold more water than HA on it's own). The skin barrier requires a balance of humectants (hydrators, water pullers), emollients (softens the skin by lubricating it and repairing damage) and occlusives (create a physical barrier on the skin to trap moisture - be careful with occlusives on break out prone skin). Not all humectants, emollients and occlusives are created equal and some are better suited to certain skin types and concerns, which is why a personalized skin care routine created by a professional is always best. Additionally, the state of the skin's microbiome is essential to barrier health (which can be addressed with certain types of topical and internal probiotics).
(Note: Beef tallow has become a popular occlusive. Unfortunately, many of the beneficial claims are false - beef tallow is NOT good for barrier health long term, as it can compromise the barrier more due to high oleic acid content — there are superior 'clean' alternatives that work to address the whole picture a lot more effectively).
Look for nourishing barrier repair facials and hydrating facials:
Even if you are receiving corrective treatment, it becomes increasingly important to nourish the barrier in between modalities like microneedling, microchanneling, peels, lasers, etc. A specialist that is truly dedicated to providing you with long term skin health always looks at the health of the barrier first. At Nina Livii Skin & Wellness, located at the Northport Wellness Center, I always make sure the barrier is healthy before I offer correction. I offer seasonal treatment specials, as well as the Barrier Repair BioRhythm Facial to those with dry, dehydrated, sensitized skin. I also utilize the Oxygen Dome Therapy Facial to help revitalize, protect and deeply hydrate the skin, which brings the skin back to life quickly and efficiently. All of these treatments also include face sculpting massage to release tension held in the fascia, while promoting lymphatic flow to clear the skin of winter stagnation. Sculptural massage also stimulates blood flow back into the skin for a healthy glow. My clients are sent home with a personalized skin care routine.
Consider a good quality humidifier: A humidifier can help put moisture back into the air, especially when indoor heating systems are being used. Look for mold inhibiting humidifiers that are easy to clean with a filter (mold and bacteria can quickly build up in humidifiers making matters worse). I personally use Dreo 5L Smart Humidifier because it has an accurate humidity indicator, ultrafine mist, and it's very easy to clean.
Focus on Lymphatic Flow: Since lymphatic stagnation creates dullness and puffiness in the skin, it's key to keep lymph flowing, as the lymphatic system does not have it's own 'pump' (like the circulatory system) and requires manual movement. Doing gua sha properly and gentle face massage movements during your skin care routine can help keep things moving. As a holistic esthetician, I like to show my clients some easy and gentle movements they can do at home to keep lymph flowing. Exercise, proper mineral intake, and lymph-loving foods (such as leafy greens, ginger, garlic, fruits & vegetables, herbal teas and warm lemon water first thing in the morning) also make a huge impact on the lymphatic system and skin health.
Dress warm: It might sound really simple and obvious, but I find that often we're actually not dressed properly for cold weather. I had mentioned earlier that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, wind is seen as something that can invade the body and lower the body's defense systems, allowing pathogens to enter through the skin. TCM emphasizes the importance in protecting the body against cold drafts and external pathogens referred to as 'cold' and 'wind' which can weaken the immune system and lower 'yang' energy. Wearing cozy layers protects your core temperature, and scarves shield the neck (a vulnerable point of the body).
Incorporate some of the principles of Eastern Medicine into your routine: Systems like TCM (Ancient Chinese Medicine) and Ayurveda believe that health is maintained by living in harmony with the cycles of nature. They view the autumn and winter as periods of deep rest, reflection, and rejuvenation, as nature prepares the earth for a period of stillness. In Ayurveda, fall is dominated by the 'Vata' dosha (embodying cold, dryness, lightness), and to counteract this, they suggest incorporating warm and grounding elements into one's life such as: warm, cooked meals and broths, healthy fats, warming spices, self massage, and slow restorative yoga. Ayurveda's 'Golden Milk' recipe is a favorite of mine - it's warming, anti-inflammatory and soothing before bed.
TCM views autumn as the season of the 'Metal' element (which governs lungs, skin and large intestine), which is characterized by 'dryness'. TCM suggests focusing on lung health and being mindful of emotions connected to the lungs (like grief). The lungs are seen as a delicate organ, prone to coughing, asthma and dry skin during cold and dry weather, so TCM recommends eating warm and moistening foods, practicing deep breathing, dressing warm, and allowing the body ample rest.
Make time to regulate your nervous system and ease stress: Stress increases constant flow of the stress hormone cortisol, which creates inflammation in the body and skin. Additionally, we tend to hold tension in the fascia, which can alter the way the face structure appears, so making time for fascia release facials and massages can help put the nervous system in a parasympathetic state while releasing tension and improving skin health. I wrote a blog post on the connection between skin & nervous system, and tips on how to regulate it.
Pay attention to your circadian rhythm: The skin has it’s own circadian rhythm which often gets ignored in the beauty industry . The skin runs on a 24 hour clock that regulates skin functions (such as barrier repair, cell regeneration, collagen synthesis, and hydration). The skin’s rhythms are connected to the body’s circadian rhythm, which can feel off balance during the darker and cooler seasons. By working with it, instead of against it, we can maintain skin health. At Nina Livii Skin Care & Wellness in Northport, the Biorhythm Barrier Repair Facial utilizes biorhythm skin therapy to help re-balance the skin for this very reason (I also offer an After Hours version of this treatment, as nighttime is the most optimal time to reset the skin). Skin care routines at home should be adjusted according to the time of day they are performed. You can help the body’s natural circadian rhythm adjust harmoniously to the winter by exposing your eyes to sunlight first thing in the morning (if there’s no sun, exposing the eyes to natural light from the sky will still help, or consider a light therapy lamp). Avoiding heavy foods and blue light right before sleep helps the body and skin kickstart the skin’s natural regenerative processes that are supposed to take place during sleep. Exposing your eyes to the sunset (or even amber light that mimics the sunset) around 5-6PM can also be helpful.
Incorporate gentle movement into your wellness routine: (not just in your body, but in your face as well!). Movement activates blood flow and lymphatic flow, which is critical for a healthy skin glow.
Nourish the body and immune system: Enjoy treats in moderation, and make sure the gut is moving heavier foods optimally to avoid over-burdening the body.
It doesn't have to feel overwhelming prepping your skin for the fall, nor do you have to live with dry, dull skin all winter long. With the right seasonal facial treatments, a proper curated skin care routine, and a little extra self care, you can keep your skin healthy, radiant and resilient all year long.
Personalized Skin Care Support in Northport, Long Island NY:
If you're in or around the Northport or the Long Island area, I can offer personalized support. At Nina Livii Skin Care & Wellness, located at the Northport Wellness Center, my holistic facials are customized to your specific skin care needs and they offer targeted seasonal care. I currently offer the ‘Fall Skin Reset Facial’ special this season (limited time only) which is excellent for new clients as it includes biorhythm skin therapy, a regenerative treatment and barrier repair, as well as a consultation, expert skin analysis, treatment plan and home-care plan with complimentary samples. (By subscribing to ninaliviiskincare.com, you can stay updated on seasonal specials). Book one of the following options below to get started.
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