September isn't the month for deep exfoliation

You come back from holiday, unpack your suitcase and, at some point during that first week, you look in the mirror more closely than usual. Your skin seems rougher, your skin tone is uneven, and perhaps some redness or the odd spot has appeared that you weren't expecting.

And then comes the usual temptation: 'I need a really deep cleanse. A fresh start.'

I understand. September feels a bit like a new year, and it's tempting to wipe the slate clean with your skin too. But before you reach for the exfoliator, it's worth thinking about everything it has been through these past few months.

What summer leaves on your skin

Over the summer, your skin has been exposed to the sun, the heat, chlorine in the pool or salt in the sea, and probably more hours of air conditioning than we realise. All of this can leave it more dehydrated and, often, more sensitive.

The roughness you notice in September isn't always built-up dirt or cells that need scrubbing away. Very often it's tired skin, with its protective barrier somewhat weakened, that needs time to recover.

That's why scrubbing harder or starting several new products at once can worsen the very thing you're trying to fix. We talked about this in Are You Exfoliating Too Much?: over-treated skin defends itself with tightness, itching and redness.

Three simple habits to support it in September

Helping your skin recover after the summer is less about intensive treatments and more about consistency. I suggest starting here:

Cleanse without rubbing. Lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight. If your face feels as if it has 'shrunk' after washing, that's a sign the cleanser is too harsh for right now. Our calendula facial soap, for example, is designed to cleanse sensitive skin delicately.

Soothe and protect the barrier. Dehydrated skin welcomes textures that comfort it and help it hold on to water. If you notice tight or red patches, a soothing balm used very sparingly and pressed gently in with your fingertips can bring back a great deal of comfort.

Keep wearing sunscreen. September still has plenty of light, and any marks that appeared over the summer darken more easily if your skin is still exposed. Protecting it is the simplest way to help your skin tone even out over time.

Giving it time is also a way of caring for it

Your skin renews itself at its own pace, and that pace doesn't speed up because you use more products. What does help is regularity: the same simple habits, day after day, for a few weeks.

If a mark or mole catches your eye because it's new or has changed shape or colour, don't wait: have it checked by your dermatologist. No cosmetic can replace that check-up.

For these first days of September, I'd like to suggest something very specific: before buying anything new, spend a week cleansing your skin gently, moisturising it every night and noticing how it responds.

Very often, what your skin needs when you come back from the summer isn't a fresh start, but a little calm.