The 7 Buzziest Skin Care Trends To Know About This Fall

The pandemic caused a surge in the facial tool industry. Technology that was traditionally only accessed at the derm’s office has become much more widely accessible for home use, in large part because of the booming demand from consumers who were cut off from their professional-grade treatments during quarantine. And the growing popularity of these devices will continue, predicts Kikam and board-certified dermatologist for Trophy Skin, Dr. Mona Gohara, M.D.

“In the fall we’re going to see a rising interest in at-home LED devices such as face masks and wands for conditions like acne, as well as microcurrent devices that promise skin tightening benefits,” Kikam tells Bustle.

Gohara says that people will be looking to quash skin dullness, which is why she expects to see microneedling and microdermabrasion devices become more popular as well. “These treatments will keep your summer glow going while treating sunspots, facial marks, evening skin tone, and stimulating collagen,” she says. Microneedling uses teeny, tiny needles to cause micro-tears on your skin to stir up collagen growth, which results in a more even complexion and helps with scarring, while microdermabrasion buffs away buildup on the skin’s surface via an abrasive tip for similar effects.

The pandemic has meant a quick rise of intensely sanitizing and cleansing products. While these are obviously necessary for safety reasons, the formulas tend to be harsh and cause damage to the skin’s moisture barrier, according to Kikam.

As a response, Kikam sees an uptick in microbiome-focused skin care that helps nourish, hydrate, and soothe the complexion. “These are products that do not strip skin of moisture or affect skin’s microbiome but rather replenish it,” she explains. Essentially, the formulas use fermented ingredients and probiotics to support the healthy bacteria on the top layer of your skin so that it stays healthy and strong.

Maskne has become the skin care scourge of the 2020s (so far). While strides have been made in regards to the epidemic, the current status of COVID-19 can still be described as “raging on.” And so: “Maskne will remain a relevant complaint going into the fall amid surges in COVID and calls for even more masking,” Kikam says.

You may already be familiar with the ingredients that address mask-related breakouts — like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and topical retinoids — but Kikam notes that brands are now simplifying the process by creating products and kits specifically for the skin concern, making it easier than ever to treat.

Everyone’s experience with the pandemic has been different, but if there’s one commonality, it’s the feeling of unprecedented stress — which has taken a toll on many people’s scalps. “We have seen a lot of hair shedding since COVID began,” Gohara says, noting it’s become a common issue “across the board.”

Thankfully, talking about hair health has become less of a taboo and brands have been working on providing a number of solutions and treatments that support growth. You can expect to see these in the forms of scalp serums, hair growth serums, supplements, and more.

The proverbial sun is setting on the summer, but that doesn’t mean you can throw your SPF awareness to the wind. “UV reflects off the snow as much as the sand,” Gohara says. Sun protection will continue to be worked into a vast range of skin care products to make it easier than ever to prevent damage, whether that means an SPF serum, a tinted sunscreen, or a brush-on powder.

You can simultaneously expect to see a rise in helpful post-sun ingredients incorporated into skin care formulas. Both Kikam and Gohara point to antioxidants like vitamin C and aloe vera, both of which help heal the skin from the ravages of the summer elements.

When the weather cools down and the days are no longer punctuated by a thick humidity, your skin regimen will need more heavy-duty care. For Kikam, this means looking to richer formulas.

“People will be more about incorporating moisture-retaining ingredients like ceramides [as people] change out their lightweight, oil-free moisturizers for denser, lipid-rich ones that can hold onto hydration longer,” she tells Bustle. Hyper-moisturizing all-stars also include avocado oil, shea butter, and fatty acids.