Your Essential Autumn Body Care Edit for Glowing, Winter-Ready Skin

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Main image – Leandrocrespi/Stocksy

After enjoying a long, hot summer it’s now time for cosy jumpers, mid-morning hot chocolates and fuller foundation coverage (just me?).

But just because the seasons have changed doesn’t mean your body care routine needs to go into hibernation. All it takes are a few simple swaps to maintain gorgeously glowy post-summer skin year-round (preventing a frantic pre-holiday scrub-fest before next summer too).

Here, you’ll find our favourite autumn body care picks which work hard to stop your skin from shrivelling up like a raisin during the colder months, as well as expert tips from dermatologist Professor Firas Al-Niaimi.

From zesty sugar scrubs to the shower oil that’s oh-so moisturising, this guide will have your body positively glowing.

1. The glow-giving smooth operators

Who said your body skin couldn’t glow during winter? Not us, and definitely not Ashley Stobart, founder of The Cosmetic Consult, whose body peel pads, Miracle Body Transformation (£55 from Cosmetic Consult UK/ $83 from Cosmetic Consult US for four pads) have been giving us some of the smoothest limbs of our lives since launching in August.

They’re not cheap, but, like with the brand’s facial peel pads, they make an immediate and noticeable difference to the look and feel of our skin, leaving it soft and dewy for around a week afterwards.

Image – Comsetic Consult

Containing some of our favourite ingredients like retinyl palmitate (a combination of retinol and a fatty acid), hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and panthenol, the pads aim to tackle multiple issues in one product; think fewer body breakouts, reduced redness, less noticeable lines and wrinkles and smoother, glowier skin.

Better still, we’ve noticed that the results are still impressive even if we use these once every two weeks, making them that bit more affordable.

If you prefer your exfoliants in scrub form though- or are looking for a more affordable, long-term option, we have a few favourites. Olverum Body Polish (£34 from Space NK UK/ $64 from Olverum US) smells absolutely beautiful – makeshift spa anyone? – and the formula has the perfect grit (thanks to a bamboo and pumice formula) so your skin has no excuse but to positively shine after using it.

ZestSugarBodyPolishAMBER_withoutbox_1000x1000_1 | Live That Glow

Image – Elemental Herbology

Elemental Herbology Zest Sugar Body Scrub (£40 from Elemental Herbology UK/ $60 from Amazon US) is another brilliant scrub, this time using sugar to exfoliate. Less gritty but more moisturising, this scrub buffs away our dead cells and leaves behind velvety smooth skin.

Finally on the scrub front, we’re huge fans of Frank Body’s Original Coffee Scrub (from £6.95 from Cult Beauty UK/ $19.95 from Ulta Beauty US). Combining both coffee grounds and sea salt, this scrub offers a gritty exfoliation, as well as shot of caffeine if you’re a fan of it for improving the appearance of skin tone. And although it does contain sweet almond oil, we’ve found this has a much less oily feel than most traditional scrubs – perfect for those who prefer a drier exfoliation.

Or, if you’re a fan of body brushing Altesse Studio Vitalis Body Brush (£160 from Altesse Studio UK) may have a very luxury price tag but it has been designed to be the best in its field. Handcrafted with natural boar bristles, its ergonomic shape is perfect for both vertical and horizontal brushing and for left and right handed users.

The quality here too means you shouldn’t have to worry about replacing it for many years once you’ve invested – and if you’re feeling particularly bougie you can even have it engraved with your name.

Image – Altesse Studio

And finally, our editor in chief, Sally Underwood loves The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick (£15 from Boots UK/$19.50 from Sephora US) and is already on her third one!

It is 7% glycolic acid, 0.5% salicylic acid – so perfect for skin-smoothing – but the formula has a shea butter base, so it really helps with roughness, hyperpigmentation and hydration. It’s super easy to use too.

That said, try not to overdo the scrubbing during winter though. While you would normally want to exfoliate once or twice a week, “I would recommend exfoliating less frequently during the cooler months, as skin tends to become drier and more sensitive due to the cold air and lower humidity,” advises Professor Al-Niaimi.

He explains that while “gentle exfoliation still plays an important role in keeping the skin smooth and helping moisturisers absorb better,” “over-exfoliating when the skin is already dry can lead to further dehydration and irritation.”

Stick to around once a week for most skin types then, and keep an eye out for signs of dryness or irritation.

2. The super cleansers

For those who love a hot shower, this should be your season. However, the experts say you should try to be cautious. “Frequent exposure to hot water can strip away the skin’s natural lipid layer, which is essential for locking in moisture and maintaining a healthy barrier,” warns Professor Al-Niaimi. “As a result, the skin can become dry, tight and more prone to irritation.”

So what should you do if your skin feels dehydrated or rough? “Try lowering the water temperature and following up immediately with a rich, cream-based moisturiser to help restore hydration and support the skin’s protective barrier,” he says.

To support your skin further, use a super-duper moisturising shower oil like Wildsmith Vitality Shower Oil (£44 from Wildsmith UK/ $62 from Liberty London US) which has a sulphate free, oil-based formula and smells *incredible*. Emulsifying into a creamy milk when mixed with water, this cleanser leaves our skin feeling soft and supple after showering.

For a more affordable option, we also love Rituals Shower Oil (£10.90 from Boots UK/ $13 from Rituals US) which is super really hydrating and smells divine.

Image – Grown Alchemist

If you prefer something that’s not oil based though, Grown Alchemist Energizing Body Cleanser (£33 from Cult Beauty UK/ $44 from Grown Alchemist US) is also sulphate free, meaning it will wash your skin whilst being kind to it, without having an oil feel to it.

And if your skin is particularly sensitive during the colder months, we also like Green People Scent Free Shower Gel (£17.50 from Green People UK) for its eczema-friendly and fragrance-free formula.

To maximise your shower cleanser’s moisturising benefits, apply body lotion sooner after showering, says Professor Al-Niaimi. “Within the first 5 minutes after showering you should be applying lotion to your skin as the absorption will be optimal.”

3. The hyper hydrators

And speaking of body lotions, Professor Al-Niaimi recommends switching to a heavier formula if you’re prone to dry skin. “It is important to switch to richer, cream-based moisturisers that help replenish and lock in hydration,” he explains. “Look for ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”

So which parts of the skin should we be focussing on at this time of year? “Certain areas of the body like the elbows, knees and even hands tend to need extra care during the autumn months,” he says.

“To keep them soft and smooth, it’s best to apply a thicker, cream-based moisturiser or body balm right after showering, when the skin is still slightly damp, to help lock in moisture.”

Image – Tropic

We’re huge fans of Tropic Body Love Firming Buttercream (£20 from Tropic UK) which absorbs super quickly and yet leaves the skin really moisturised. You only need a tiny bit so it lasts for months too.

And Lancome Nutrix Royal Body Milk (£48 from Lancome UK) is one of my own long-time personal favourites. It’s a real treat for dry skin, smells absolutely divine and hydrates for hours and hours.

Alternatively you could bathe in a moisturising bath product like L’Occitane Almond Milky Bath (£29.50 from Cult Beauty UK/ $42 from Amazon US) which pretty much instantly softens and nourishes the skin while you chill.

However you hydrate your body, the experts say applying SPF is a non-negotiable all year round.

“A common mistake is skipping sun protection; even in autumn and winter,” warns Professor Al-Niaimi. “UV rays are present and can contribute to premature ageing and dryness. I always recommend applying a daily SPF on your face and neck year-round to maintain healthy skin.”

The takeaway

Your body might be covered in warm clothing in autumn and winter but your skin still needs a bit of TLC. Don’t forget to turn down the temperature slightly in the shower to avoid drying out your skin. Exfoliate every so often to keep your skin soft and glowy but try not to overdo it in case you cause irritation to seasonally drier skin.

And hydration is a no brainer, whether you choose the body lotion, shower oil or bath nourisher route. Choose all three and your body will be a hydrated temple.