Before you change your body cream

A cool afternoon comes along, you step into the shower and turn the temperature up a little. You stay a bit longer because it feels good. Then you dry off, get dressed and carry on with what you were doing.

Later on, your legs feel tight. You look at the cream you've been using for months and think: 'Maybe I need a different one.'

It could be. But before you change it, it's worth looking at what happened during that shower and just after.

This October I want to talk to you about the part of skincare that barely appears on the packaging: how we use what we already have and what we do for the rest of the day.

Care begins before you open the jar

When the air becomes drier, the skin can lose water more easily. Central heating, once we start switching it on, can also play a part. That doesn't mean we all need to start a new autumn routine: it's worth noticing whether your skin feels comfortable or is starting to show signs of dryness.

I understand that the first thing that comes to mind is a product. I formulate cosmetics and I know how much work goes into a well-made one. That's precisely why I want us to be able to choose them with care and give them a useful place in our lives.

Sometimes a more suitable formula will be needed. Other times, it's worth looking at a habit first.

A pleasant shower can also be a gentler one

If you notice dryness, try lukewarm water and showers of five to ten minutes. Use a gentle cleanser and avoid rubbing hard when you dry off.

Afterwards, apply your moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp: it helps to lock in that moisture. If your skin is dry or sensitive, it's best to choose a fragrance-free formula.

Here's something quite practical you can do to help you remember: keep your moisturiser next to your towel. Sometimes we think a lot about what to buy and very little about how to make it easier to use what we've already chosen.

A product tucked away at the back of a drawer may be excellent, but it's easy to forget about it.

Autumn doesn't mean changing everything

Before adding anything, do a quick check: what are you using? Do you enjoy it? Do you apply it regularly? Is there a step after which you notice any discomfort?

These questions help you shop better. They also let you keep what works, without feeling that every change of season means starting over.

For these first days of October, I suggest starting with something simple: next time you shower, pay attention to the water temperature and set out your moisturiser.

I'd like Aetheria to help you with this too: to understand your skincare and to find a place for it in an ordinary day, when you have so many other things on your mind.