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Written by OSEA Staff | Published September 8, 2026.
It’s officially fall! Welcome back to “Ask the Esthetician,” a column where we discuss all things skincare with Viktoria, our lead esthetician at the OSEA Venice Skincare Studio. If you, like us, have questions about how (and why) to transition your skincare routine from summer to fall, you’re in the right place. From the top swap to make this season to how to dial up your hydration efforts, Viktoria answers your most burning questions on the topic.
Q: Why do I need to change my skincare routine from summer to fall?
Viktoria: As we enter the cooler months, there’s less humidity in the air so your skin gets drier. Colder temperatures often also mean that we’re cranking up the heat indoors. All of that can strip moisture from the skin, leaving it tight, flaky, or even irritated. Transitioning your skincare routine from summer to fall really is just about swapping a few products to suit your skin’s needs as the weather shifts.
Q. Which hydrating ingredients are best for fall?
A. Hyaluronic acid (HA) in particular helps bring moisture into the skin—and keep it there. The high and low weights of HA in Hyaluronic Sea Serum instantly flood skin with hydration at multiple levels. What I love about this serum is that the HA works together with Japanese Miru Seaweed to support the skin’s natural moisture balance.Then, there’s the snow mushroom which seals in all of the hydrating goodness, sort of like a moisture sandwich.
Q: What are the top skincare swaps to make in fall?
A: The first is face moisturizer and eye cream! Your skin needs extra hydration during this time of the year since humidity levels drop. Swap the lightweight moisturizers you were using in the summer for thicker, richer creams. Look for hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, squalane, hyaluronic acid and shea butter.
I recommend our ultra-rich and nourishing Advanced Protection Cream which was actually tested on participants exposed to extreme, dehydrating weather conditions, and is clinically shown to increase skin hydration by 121%*. It’s also recognized by the National Eczema Association with the Seal of Acceptance™, so it’s great for sensitive skin.
If you haven’t already started using an eye cream, fall is the perfect time. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face, so it benefits from targeted care. The Advanced Repair Eye Cream is made with both bladderwrack algae and green microalgae (a one-two punch for visibly smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and brightening), plus a firming plant-derived amino acid called DPHP. I’ve put so many people on this product, and the skin underneath continues to look brighter, firmer and smoother. One tiny dot does the trick for both eyes—you don’t need a lot to see the incredible results.
*Based on an independent third-party clinical study after 1 use.
A: The second tip is to switch to a gentle cleanser. Basically, you want to avoid using anything harsh or stripping that might make skin even drier. Instead, opt for a cleansing oil and milky cleanser. If you haven’t yet, consider trying our Ocean Wave Cleanser, a bi-phase makeup remover + cleansing oil. It’s made with gentle, skin-loving ingredients like Undaria seaweed (which is rich in antioxidants), and bisabolol, famous for its soothing qualities. I recommend cleansing with Ocean Wave Cleanser, followed by our Ocean Cleansing Milk for your softest skin yet. This luxurious milky cleanser includes a skin-identical moisturizing complex (saccharide isomerate), plus glycerin to hydrate and support the skin’s natural protective barrier.
A: Next up, incorporate face oils, especially if your skin is naturally on the dry side. A good face oil locks in hydration, moisturizes skin, and gives you a glowy finish. I suggest applying face oil as the last step in your cool-weather routine, but you can also add a few drops to your moisturizer. Look for formulas that are rich in nourishing oils like argan, jojoba, squalane, sunflower seed, avocado, safflower, sweet almond or grapeseed oil. I am a big fan of our Dayglow Face Oil. It makes my skin so smooth and glowy!
A: Swap your body lotion with body butter, or better yet, layer them together. Body butters are typically made with high concentrations of butter and oils (like shea or meadowfoam oil) and contain little to no water. Undaria Algae Body Butter will be your skin’s best friend in the colder months. It’s formulated with shea butter and ceramides (which support the skin’s own moisture barrier), and is clinically shown to hydrate the skin for 72 hours. I love the rich, buttery texture that absorbs easily into skin. It also happens to smell like a fresh citrus, which makes me feel happy.
A: Finally, in the fall, you may want to swap out your retinol products for bio-retinol, especially if you have dry, sensitive skin. Retinol can cause redness, peeling and irritation, which may feel more pronounced in cold, dry weather. Bio-retinol offers a gentler option for visibly improving fine lines and wrinkles, with a lower risk of irritation. I recommend starting with our Dream Night Serum with Bio-Retinol. It’s clinically shown to improve the look of fine lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles and even deep wrinkles overnight.
Q: What other things can make a difference during the colder months?
A: Invest in a humidifier! This is a great way to help counteract dryness. Humidifiers replenish the surrounding air with moisture, and can keep your skin more hydrated. I like to run mine overnight. Another tip is to skip hot showers. I know they feel amazing, but super-hot water strips your skin of essential oils. Finally, apply your face and body moisturizers fresh out of the shower when your skin is still slightly damp. This helps to increase hydration.