BLOG: October 26 - 3 fall habits that wreck your skin (and how to fix them)

Last year, Tricia’s skin went through chaos when autumn rolled in. Overnight her skin felt tightness, dryness, and flakiness. At first, we blamed the weather — but after a few nights of me scrolling through dermatology studies instead of Netflix, I learned it wasn’t just the season.

Turns out, when temperatures drop and humidity dips below 40%, the skin barrier loses water faster than it can be replaced — something researchers call increased transepidermal water loss . Cold, dry air literally weakens the lipid matrix that keeps your skin supple, while over-cleansing or skipping moisturizer only makes things worse. One study even found that restoring hydration also helps rebalance the skin’s microbiome — improving not just how it looks, but how it functions.

So I dug around and here’s what I found after digging through science, data, and far too many browser tabs.

1. Cranking the indoor heat

When temperatures drop, most of us turn up the thermostat. The problem? Indoor heating pulls humidity down to under 30% — far below the ideal 40–50% range your skin barrier needs to stay healthy.

When air gets that dry, your skin literally starts leaking hydration. Studies published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology show that low humidity can increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL), weakening your skin barrier and making it more prone to irritation.

Fix it: Add moisture back into your environment. A humidifier (or even a small bowl of water near your heat source) can help rebalance the air and keep your skin barrier intact. Pair that with a rich moisturizer — research confirms that consistent use of emollients can restore the lipid barrier and improve hydration levels.

2. Skipping sunscreen when it’s cloudy

It’s easy to assume you don’t need SPF when the sun hides — but that’s one of the biggest seasonal mistakes. Even on overcast days, up to 80% of UV rays still reach your skin, and UVA rays (the ones that cause premature aging) stay consistent all year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Fix it: Keep SPF a daily habit, rain or shine. A mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum protection without clogging pores or leaving a white cast.

Research shows that daily sunscreen use significantly reduces signs of photoaging and DNA damage, even in indirect sunlight or cloudy weather. Another study confirmed that zinc oxide provide effective UVA and UVB protection while remaining safe and non-irritating on skin

3. Over-exfoliating to “refresh” dull skin

When skin starts flaking, the instinct is to exfoliate more — but that often backfires. Over-exfoliating strips away lipids and damages your microbiome, making dryness worse. Dermatologists have found that frequent exfoliation can actually trigger inflammation and disrupt the skin’s natural balance.

Fix it: Limit exfoliation to once a week and focus on nourishing your skin instead. Look for ingredients rich in ceramides, antioxidants, and natural fats — like grass-fed tallow — to help your skin rebuild and stay resilient.

Research shows that lipid-replenishing formulas help restore the skin’s barrier and prevent inflammation. Nutrient-dense fats like tallow and plant oils also mimic the skin’s natural sebum, supporting long-term hydration and resilience..

Experience the Healing Power of Life Itself

Good thing we have our own skincare brand — because Tricia didn’t have to look far to get her skin health.

She just religiously stuck to her Sky and Sol restorative trio routine:

• Everything Cream to repair her barrier
• Ancestral Tallow Serum for deep hydration and radiance
• Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 50 to protect all that progress

Within two weeks, her skin went from stressed to steady, proof that sometimes, the fix isn’t more products… it’s better habits and better ingredients.