How Changing Seasons Can Affect Your Skin And Beauty Routine

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As the seasons change, so do our beauty routines. Cooler temperatures, lower humidity and shifting weather conditions can affect everything from hydration levels and skin sensitivity to the makeup products we reach for each day. Understanding how your skin responds to seasonal changes can make it easier to adjust your routine before issues like dryness, irritation or unexpected breakouts take hold.

In this edition, we’re exploring how autumn can influence your skin, the beauty habits experts recommend during seasonal transitions, and the products currently gaining attention across the beauty world. From makeup and breakouts to milky toners, skincare shortcuts and expert-backed advice, these are the beauty conversations that caught our attention this month.

Can Makeup Actually Break You Out? We Asked a Cosmetic Doctor and a Cosmetic Chemist

Left: Cosmetic Doctor Yalda Jamali and Right: Cosmetic formulator Saul Pyle of Skinterest

If you’ve ever blamed a new foundation for a fresh breakout, you might be onto something.

But the answer isn’t as simple as “makeup = breakouts.” It depends on what’s in it, how you’re applying it (we’re not judging, but take this as your gentle reminder to wash your brushes), and most crucially, how you’re removing it.

We put the question to two experts: Cosmetic Doctor Dr. Yalda Jamali and Cosmetic formulator Saul Pyle of Skinterest. Here’s what they told us.

👀 The Ingredients To Watch

Read: Best Foundations For Acne-Prone Skin (Tried, Tested, and Breakout-Safe)

Unless you have an allergy, there’s no hard and fast bans for ingredients.

According to Dr. Yalda, the goal when shopping for makeup as an acne-prone person isn’t to treat (like some products may imply), it’s to avoid making it irritated or worse.

“As a general rule, I recommend looking for products labelled non-comedogenic, oil-free, and often fragrance-free. These formulations are less likely to clog pores or irritate already reactive skin.”

She also flags specific ingredients worth steering clear of: heavier occlusive (thicker) oils and certain esters like isopropyl myristate, which can be too heavy for congestion-prone skin.

POLL

Does makeup clog you up?

Yes! All the time

Hmm sometimes

Nope, not for me

10 VOTES · · SHOW RESULTS

🏷️ On The “Non-Comedogenic” Label

If you haven’t seen this label before, you’ll now spot it everywhere.

Non-comedogenic refers to how clogging a product can be. Though it’s an imperfect rating, it tends to give you a hint on who the product is supposed to be for.

Saul, our go-to guy for formulation insight, points out part of why that the label isn’t always as reliable as it sounds:

“A true ‘non-comedogenic’ product should be clinically tested to substantiate [prove] the claim, however, there is no legal requirement and brands sometimes make claims based solely on the belief that a product is not expected to be comedogenic.”

He adds that comedogenic potential is “highly individual”, and that what clogs one person’s pores may be completely fine for another.

💄The Format Matters, And Gives You a Good Hint

Read: ‘I Tried 4 Full Coverage Foundations to Cover my Acne Scarring- Here’s My Honest Reviews, and Tips’

Dr. Yalda recommends lightweight, serum or gel-based foundations over waxy sticks and heavy cream compacts, which tend to be more occlusive.

She also makes a case for going primer-free where possible:

“Where possible, I also suggest avoiding primers. Primers add an extra layer of ingredients directly onto the skin and are often the primary point of contact with the skin, even more so than the foundation or concealer applied over the top.

For acne-prone patients, this additional layer can sometimes increase irritation or congestion rather than improve the overall result.”

🤎 Our quick picks:

Powder foundation – Nude By Nature Natural Mineral Cover, $21.47 (Currently 1/2 price at Priceline)
Liquid foundation – Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation, $12.99 (Currently 1/2 price at Adore Beauty)

Application And Removal Matters Most, Though

Read: Here’s AM And PM Cleansing Made Simple

Two things Dr. Yalda consistently recommends for acne-prone patients: clean fingers over brushes and sponges (tools harbour bacteria if not cleaned regularly), and a non-negotiable double cleanse on any day makeup is worn.

“Application technique also matters. I often recommend using clean fingers rather than brushes or beauty blenders, as tools can easily harbour bacteria and oil if not cleaned regularly and correctly…

Inadequate removal is a common reason I see ongoing congestion despite “acne-safe” makeup choices. I always recommend a double cleanse on days makeup is worn to ensure all product, oil, and residue are properly removed.”

And Saul’s patch-test reminder is one we always stand behind:

“If you are prone to break-outs, it’s worth patch testing a new product on a localised area for a few days and looking for break-outs before committing to everyday use.”

🫧 Our quick picks for makeup removal:

Micellar water – Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water, $13.99
Cleansing Oil – Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Oil Cleanser Makeup Remover for Sensitive Skin, $29.99
Cleansing balm – Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm with Wild Orange Leaf Extract, $70.00
Brush spot cleaner – Saint Jack Cosmetics The Makeup Cleaning Mist, $33.00

🍂 Your Skin Is Changing – Here’s What to Do About It

Read: We Asked a Skincare Expert About Seasonal Skin Changes – Here’s What to Do Head to Toe

If your skin has felt different this month (maybe you’ve noticed more dry patches or unexpected sensitivity), Autumn might be the culprit. That shift can happen faster than you’d expect thanks to the constant hot-cold shifts.

We spoke to UK-based Faye Purcell, Head of Research and Development at Q+A Skincare about what’s actually happening and what to do about it.

🍁 Why Autumn affects skin

As temperatures drop and humidity decreases, the skin’s barrier can come under more stress – it loses moisture more easily and may struggle to maintain its usual balance.

For oily and combination skin types, this can trigger more oil production as the skin tries to compensate.

For dry and sensitive types, tightness and flaking tend to creep in earlier than expected.

Consider swapping your cleanser

If you’re going to change one thing, Faye says “Start with your cleanser. Swap out high-foaming or gel formulas for a cream or oil-based cleanser that won’t strip your skin and leave it squeaky.”

Don’t skip moisturiser (even for oily skin)

“Even oily or combination skin can become dehydrated when the air is cold and dry, or when indoor heating strips moisture,” she says.

“Skipping moisturiser when you have oily skin can actually make the skin overcompensate by producing more oil, which can worsen breakouts and dullness.”

It might be time to try that active, finally!

If you’ve been vitamin A curious, Autumn might be the best time to start the slow introduction of a retinol into your routine.

“As daylight hours shorten and UV intensity fades, the risk of sun-related sensitivity and irritation – which are much higher during peak summer months – significantly decreases,” Faye explains. Q+A’s affordable Vitamin A pick is the Q+A Retinol Facial Serum, $23.99.

🎤 3 Quick Skincare Tips We Keep Coming Back To (That Don’t Cost a Cent)

Read: Free Skincare Tips That Will Change Your Skin (No Purchase Required)

Rapid fire, let’s go through our top 3 tips that you can do today, no purchasing required.

Apply serums to damp skin – not dripping damp! Just slightly damp post-cleanse. It’ll help your serums spread further and reduces TEWL (transepidermal water loss)
Pat dry, don’t rub – skin is more sensitive immediately after cleansing, and friction can lead to unnecessary barrier disruption, especially around the super-thin eye area.
Cleanse for a full 60 seconds in the PM – after removing SPF and makeup with a first cleanse, go back in for 60-second cleanse. Yes, it’s a while, but we swear by it. Learn more about the #60secondrule here.

💄 Ashlee Day MUA Is Coming to a City Near You

Read: Ashlee Day MUA Is Bringing Her Makeup Party To A City Near You

If you’re one of Ashlee Day MUA’s 1.2 million followers, you’ll be thrilled to know that she’s brining her seven years MUA experience to a national tour with BEAUTYNEXT, running this May-June.

The format is roam-around, and Ashlee is encouraging audience engagement. Expect hands-on demos, beauty games, canapés, and a goodie bag valued at over $370 stocked with brands including e.l.f., Milani, The Quick Flick, Q+A Skincare, No7, and Soap & Glory.

👉 Check out the event details here

The Milky Toner Moment Is Very Real – Here’s Where to Start

Read: Best Milky Toners You Can Get in Australia – 8 Skin Milk Formulas Compared

If your For You Page has been filling up with people patting milky, opalescent liquid into their skin and looking ridiculously dewy, you’ve been introduced to the world of milky toners.

Fully mainstream, they’re loved for the not-too-heavy moisturising for all skin types, though textures vary.

They might also be the product you do introduce to your routine thanks to the fussy weather. Morgan has given us a full breakdown here, but check out our quick picks below.

Our top 3 picks, depending on your skin:

Best all-rounder – The Breakout Hack rebound skin milk activated cica toner, $29.95
Best for dry or sensitive skin – LANEIGE Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Toner & Moisturizer, $55.00
Best budget pick – Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner With Snow Mushroom & Hyaluronic Acid, $14.99

Thanks for reading our March 2026 beauty recap. We felt pretty spoilt getting our experts to weigh in this month. Have anyone in mind for us to interview?

Let us know. We’re all ears.

🐰 WRS Team x

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This article originally appeared in the White Rabbit Social Beauty Newsletter, our monthly roundup of beauty news, skincare discoveries, product recommendations, and community favourites. If you’d like future editions delivered directly to your inbox, you can subscribe for free or explore previous newsletter editions in our archive.

How Changing Seasons Can Affect Your Skin And Beauty Routine | MARCH 2026