Vol. 1, Article 9

As the Seasons Change, Your Skin Routine Can Too.

One morning, you step outside and feel it.

The air is cooler. The humidity has dropped. The heat may be running inside. Showers start getting a little warmer—and suddenly the skin that seemed perfectly content all summer begins to feel different.

Maybe your legs feel a little dry after your shower.

Your elbows feel rougher.

Your hands need more attention.

Or you're reaching for moisturizer more often than you were just a few weeks ago.

Your skin hasn't necessarily changed. Your environment has.

And just as we change our clothing, foods and daily routines when fall arrives, our skin-care routine may need a seasonal adjustment too.

The good news?

It doesn't have to become complicated.

This week, we're looking at why skin often feels drier during the cooler months and how a few intentional changes can help you build a simple fall body-care routine.

EXFOLIATE → CLEANSE → MOISTURIZE → MAINTAIN

Let's get started.

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Key Takeaways

If you remember nothing else from this week's Wellness Journal, remember these:

• Cooler weather and lower humidity can contribute to skin feeling drier.
• Indoor heating can reduce moisture in the air around us.
• Long, very hot showers can make dryness feel worse.
• Fall is a good time to reevaluate—not completely overhaul—your body-care routine.
• Exfoliation can be incorporated before moisturizing when appropriate for your skin.
• Body Cream, Body Butter and Body Oil are all formulated for the body, but they offer different textures and experiences.
• Mammy's Soap Co. Hand Lotion is specifically formulated for the hands and does not need to be reapplied after every handwashing.
• Consistency usually matters more than creating a complicated routine.

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1. Why Does Skin Feel Different When Fall Arrives?

Skin is constantly interacting with its environment.

During warm, humid months, there may be more moisture in the surrounding air. Then fall arrives.

Outdoor temperatures fall.

Humidity can decrease.

Heating systems begin running indoors.

We start washing in warmer water.

And those environmental changes can affect how dry or comfortable our skin feels.

Your skin's outermost layer helps limit water loss and protect what's underneath. When that barrier is challenged by dry air, frequent washing, harsh cleansing or very hot water, skin can feel dry, tight, flaky or rough.

So if you've ever wondered why your favorite summer routine suddenly doesn't seem like quite enough in October or November, there may be a very simple explanation:

The season changed.

And your routine may need to change with it.

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2. First Change: Turn Down the Temperature

There are few things better than a hot shower on a chilly morning.

Unfortunately, very hot water isn't always your dry skin's best friend.

Long exposure to hot water can contribute to removal of surface oils and leave skin feeling drier afterward.

You don't have to start taking cold showers.

Instead, think:

Warm and comfortable—not steaming hot.

You can also avoid lingering unnecessarily under the water and gently pat your skin dry instead of aggressively rubbing it with a towel.

Sometimes the simplest changes make a meaningful difference.

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3. EXFOLIATE: Before You Moisturize

When skin begins feeling rough or flaky, the temptation may be to simply keep applying more moisturizer.

But sometimes another step can be useful:

Exfoliation.

Mammy's Soap Co. Body Polish gives you an option for incorporating exfoliation into your body-care routine before moisturizing.

Exfoliation helps remove some of the dead skin cells sitting at the skin's surface, leaving it feeling smoother and preparing you for the moisturizing step that follows.

But more isn't always better.

You generally don't need to aggressively exfoliate every day. How often you exfoliate should depend on your skin, the product you're using and its directions.

If skin is irritated, broken, freshly shaved or particularly sensitive, give it some extra consideration before exfoliating.

Our philosophy is simple:

Exfoliate because your skin needs it—not because a calendar says you have to.

Then follow with your moisturizer.

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4. CLEANSE: What You Wash With Matters

This is where last week's Wellness Journal connects beautifully with this week's conversation.

We spent last week talking about what actually makes soap, soap and why we make traditional cold-process soap at Mammy's Soap Co.

Our bars begin with quality oils and butters and are made through traditional saponification.

The glycerin naturally created during that soapmaking reaction remains part of our bars.

We don't add synthetic detergents to our cold-process soap.

And every bar receives a minimum four-week cure before it is ready for you.

But even when you're using a thoughtfully formulated cleanser, your bathing habits still matter.

Use comfortably warm water.

Don't scrub your skin simply for the sake of scrubbing it.

And when you finish?

That's when the next part of your fall routine begins.

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5. MOISTURIZE: Don't Wait Until Your Skin Is Begging for It

One of the easiest fall habits to establish is also one of the simplest:

Moisturize after bathing.

Rather than waiting several hours until your legs or arms begin feeling dry, make moisturizing part of the bathing routine itself.

Gently pat your skin dry and apply your chosen body moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.

The goal is simple:

Don't wait until your skin feels dry to remember your moisturizer.

And this brings us to a question customers often have:

Should I use Body Cream, Body Butter or Body Oil?

The answer depends on the experience you're looking for.

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6. Body Cream vs. Body Butter vs. Body Oil

They're all body-care products.

But that doesn't mean they're exactly the same.

Understanding the difference makes it much easier to choose what fits your routine, your skin and your preferences.

Body Cream

Think of Body Cream as a rich everyday body moisturizer.

If you want something that fits easily into your regular after-shower routine and provides more richness than a light lotion-type product, Body Cream may be your sweet spot.

It's an easy choice for:

Everyday body moisture.

Apply it after bathing or whenever your body needs additional moisture.

Body Butter

When you want something richer, reach for Body Butter.

Its heavier texture makes it particularly nice when your skin is craving a more substantial moisturizing step—especially as cooler, drier weather arrives.

Think:

Richer. Heavier. Cozy fall body care.

Body Butter can also be especially appealing for areas that tend to feel particularly dry, such as legs, elbows, knees or heels.

Body Oil

Body Oil offers a different moisturizing experience.

Oils can help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss by adding an occlusive layer at the surface.

One of our favorite ways to incorporate Body Oil is to use it when skin is still slightly damp after bathing.

And depending on your preferences, you don't necessarily have to choose only one product forever.

Your skin may prefer Body Cream on an ordinary day and Body Butter when the weather becomes particularly dry.

You may love Body Oil after an evening bath.

Skin care doesn't have to be one-size-fits-all.

Pay attention to what your skin is telling you.

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7. Your Hands Are Different

Here's an important distinction in the Mammy's Soap Co. body-care collection:

Hand Lotion isn't simply another name for Body Cream.

Our Hand Lotion is specifically formulated for the hands.

Think about what your hands experience during an ordinary day.

Washing.

Drying.

Cleaning.

Working.

Driving.

Cooking.

More washing.

Especially as we enter fall and winter, our hands may be washed repeatedly throughout the day.

That's why our Hand Lotion has its own job.

Mammy's Soap Co. Hand Lotion does not need to be reapplied after every handwashing.

Use it as part of your regular hand-care routine rather than feeling as though you have to reach for the bottle every single time you wash your hands.

Meanwhile, our Body Cream, Body Butter and Body Oil are formulated for the body.

Different products.

Different jobs.

And understanding that difference makes it much easier to build a routine that actually makes sense.

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8. Don't Forget the Places That Show Fall First

Sometimes it's not your entire body that announces the change of season.

It's your:

Hands

Elbows

Knees

Heels

Cuticles

Lips

These smaller areas can be easy to overlook until they begin feeling particularly dry or rough.

As you transition into your fall routine, pay attention to them.

You don't necessarily need another elaborate skin-care routine for each body part.

You simply need to notice.

A little consistency goes a long way.

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9. Build Your Fall Body-Care Routine

If you've followed the Wellness Journal for a while, you know we're big believers in building routines that are simple enough to actually use.

This one has four steps:

EXFOLIATE → CLEANSE → MOISTURIZE → MAINTAIN

EXFOLIATE

Use Body Polish as appropriate for your skin to help smooth the skin's surface before moisturizing.

Not necessarily every day.

Listen to your skin.

CLEANSE

Choose your Mammy's Soap Co. cold-process soap and comfortably warm—not excessively hot—water.

MOISTURIZE

After bathing, choose the body product that fits your needs:

Body Cream for rich everyday moisture.

Body Butter when you want something heavier and more substantial.

Body Oil for a different moisturizing experience that works beautifully as part of an after-bath routine.

MAINTAIN

Use Hand Lotion as part of your hand-care routine throughout the day.

Remember: it is specifically formulated for the hands and doesn't need to be reapplied every time you wash.

That's it.

Four intentional steps.

No 15-product routine required.

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Which Body Moisturizer Is Right for Me?

Here's the simplest way to think about it:

You may find one favorite.

You may rotate products according to the weather.

Or you may use different products at different times of day.

The goal isn't to own everything.

The goal is to understand what each product does so you can choose what makes sense for you.

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The 3-Minute After-Shower Routine

If you're thinking:

"This sounds great, but I'm not adding another long routine to my day..."

Good.

Neither are we.

Try this instead.

MINUTE 1

Finish your shower and gently pat your skin dry, leaving it slightly damp.

MINUTE 2

Apply your Body Cream, Body Butter or Body Oil.

MINUTE 3

Give a little extra attention to the places that tend to need it most—elbows, knees, heels or other dry-feeling areas.

Done.

Three minutes.

Your fall body-care routine doesn't have to be complicated to be intentional.

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This Week's Wellness Challenge

For the next seven days:

DON'T LEAVE THE BATHROOM BEFORE YOU MOISTURIZE.

That's it.

Take your shower or bath.

Gently pat dry.

Choose your Body Cream, Body Butter or Body Oil.

Apply it before you move on with your day.

Try it consistently for one week and pay attention to how your skin feels.

Sometimes building a better routine isn't about buying more.

It's about consistently using what you already have.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my skin feel drier when fall arrives?

Changes in temperature and humidity, indoor heating, hotter showers and everyday washing habits can all contribute to skin feeling drier during cooler months.

Should I exfoliate every day?

Usually, there's no need to aggressively exfoliate your body every day. Appropriate frequency depends on your skin and the product you're using. Follow product directions and reduce or stop exfoliation if your skin becomes irritated.

Should I exfoliate before or after moisturizing?

Exfoliation comes before your moisturizing step. After exfoliating and cleansing, follow with your chosen moisturizer.

What's the difference between Body Cream and Body Butter?

Both are formulated for the body, but Body Butter provides a richer, heavier experience, while Body Cream works beautifully as a rich everyday moisturizer.

When should I use Body Oil?

Body Oil can be incorporated after bathing, and applying it while skin is still slightly damp can be a particularly nice way to work it into your routine.

Is Mammy's Soap Co. Hand Lotion the same as Body Cream?

No. Our Hand Lotion is specifically formulated for the hands, while Body Cream, Body Butter and Body Oil are formulated for the body.

Do I have to apply Hand Lotion every time I wash my hands?

No. Mammy's Soap Co. Hand Lotion does not need to be reapplied after every handwashing. Incorporate it into your hand-care routine according to your needs.

Can I use more than one body moisturizer?

Your routine can change according to your preferences, the season and how your skin feels. You may prefer Body Cream most days, Body Butter when you want something richer, or Body Oil as part of an after-bath routine.

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As the Seasons Change, Your Skin Routine Can Too

Fall doesn't necessarily mean you need an entirely new bathroom shelf.

It may simply mean paying a little more attention to the routine you already have.

Turn down the shower temperature.

Exfoliate when appropriate.

Choose a thoughtfully made cleanser.

Moisturize before you leave the bathroom.

Take care of your hands.

And pay attention to what your skin needs as the weather changes.

EXFOLIATE → CLEANSE → MOISTURIZE → MAINTAIN

Simple.

Intentional.

Repeatable.

Because taking care of your skin shouldn't feel like another thing on your to-do list.

As the seasons change, your skin routine can too.

— The Mammy's Soap Co. Family

This Wellness Journal article is intended for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. Individual skin needs and sensitivities vary. Follow individual product directions and discontinue use if irritation occurs. Persistent, severe or concerning skin symptoms should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.