As the crisp air of fall sets in, your skin often feels the change before you do. The drop in temperature and humidity can lead to dryness, tightness, and a lackluster complexion, a clear sign it’s time to adjust your skincare routine. Building a hydrating night routine helps your skin recover while you sleep, so you can wake up with a supple, glowing complexion. This guide will walk you through how to adapt your fall skincare routine to protect against seasonal dryness and keep your skin looking its best.
Understanding Your Skin's Needs in the Fall
When the weather cools down, humidity levels drop, and indoor heating becomes more frequent, your skin loses moisture faster. These environmental changes can weaken your skin’s moisture barrier, the outermost layer that locks in hydration and defends against irritants. When this barrier is compromised, you might experience dehydrated skin, flakiness, and even increased sensitivity.
That’s why skin barrier repair is so important during the fall. A hydrating night routine gives your skin the time it needs to replenish itself overnight, boosting hydration and resilience. With the right products and proper layering, you can help your complexion recover and maintain a healthy, radiant glow all season long.
One standout option is Derma-V, featuring five innovative ingredients: prebiotics, antioxidants, hydration and repair boosters, and peptides. It’s even the favourite barrier-repair product of Dr. Mary Peirson, CEO and Medical Director of ArtMed.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Your Hydrating Night Routine for Fall
A fall skincare routine should focus on nourishment, barrier repair, and overnight rejuvenation. Here’s your easy-to-follow, three-step plan for overnight skin renewal.
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser & Toner
Cleansing is the foundation of any effective skincare routine. During the fall, choose a gentle cleanser that removes dirt, makeup, and impurities without stripping away your natural oils. Harsh formulas can worsen dryness and leave your skin feeling tight.
For a soothing yet thorough cleanse, try HEXAM: a gentle gel formula that effectively removes dirt, excess oil, and makeup while respecting your skin’s balance. Enriched with Hexamidine, an antimicrobial and antibacterial agent, it purifies pores without drying the skin. Its emollient properties leave your complexion soft, comfortable, and supple. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin.
This essential first step prepares your skin to fully absorb the hydrating ingredients that follow, setting the stage for your most nourishing night routine.
Step 2: Targeted & Hydration Treatments
Once your skin is clean, it’s time to deliver concentrated hydration and nourishment. Serums are your best allies here. Look for ones packed with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides to help restore your skin’s moisture and strength.
For added radiance and protection, consider incorporating C E PEPTIDES: a powerful Vitamin C serum that also contains Vitamin E to boost hydration and comfort during the colder months. This antioxidant-rich formula helps brighten, firm, and smooth the skin while supporting your natural collagen production.
Apply your chosen serum by gently pressing it into the skin to encourage deeper absorption of active ingredients and maximize results. Unsure which serum is right for you?
Once your serum has fully absorbed, the next step is replenishing the skin barrier — and this is where DERMA-V truly shines.
This advanced night repair cream is specifically formulated to calm, hydrate, and strengthen the skin barrier while you sleep. Used after cleansing, toning, lightweight serums, retinol, and other targeted treatments, it delivers a unique blend of prebiotics, peptides, and antioxidants to help repair and reinforce the skin. Apply a small amount to the face, neck, and chest every evening, then follow with any cream or moisturizer if desired. The perfect companion for dry, cool weather and overnight recovery.
Real users love the results:
“Best part of my day putting this on. It’s like putting on your favourite soft sweater on a cool day. It feels that good.”
“I recently had microneedling done on my face and used Derma-V afterwards. What a great product! It helped restore my skin, and it’s glowing! I’ll continue to use it as needed.”
Step 3: Sealing in Moisture
To lock in the benefits of your serum, finish with a dry-skin moisturizer, such as Lexxel, to seal in hydration and prevent water loss overnight. Choose a rich cream with emollients and occlusives. With ingredients like shea butter, squalane, or ceramides that create a protective layer on the skin.
When selecting a moisturizer, opt for one specifically formulated for fall or winter to ensure long-lasting moisturizing benefits. This final step ensures you wake up with soft, plump, and hydrated skin, ready to face crisp mornings with confidence.
If you’d like to dive deeper into keeping your skin balanced and nourished this season, check out these Vivier articles:
Frequently Asked Questions about Fall Skincare
How do I know if my skin is dry or dehydrated?
Though they sound similar, dry skin and dehydrated skin are not the same.
Dry skin lacks oil, often due to genetics or aging. It tends to feel rough or flaky year-round.
Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, lacks water. It can affect any skin type (even oily) and typically feels tight or looks dull.
If your skin feels tight after cleansing or makeup starts to look patchy, you’re likely dealing with dehydration rather than dryness.
Can I use the same products as my summer routine?
Not quite. As the weather cools, your skin needs richer, more hydrating fall skincare formulas. Lightweight summer gels and mattifying products might not provide enough nourishment. Transitioning to products that support skin barrier repair (such as thicker creams and hydrating serums) ensures your skin stays healthy and balanced as temperatures drop.
What ingredients should I look for in a hydrating night routine?
When building a hydrating night routine, the key is to focus on ingredients that replenish moisture and strengthen your skin barrier while you sleep. Look for products that contain:
Hyaluronic acid – a powerful humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin for deep, lasting hydration.
Ceramides – lipids that help restore and protect the skin’s natural barrier.
Peptides – support skin repair and firmness.
Antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E – help protect against environmental stress and improve radiance.
Prebiotics and probiotics – balance the skin’s microbiome, which contributes to a stronger, healthier barrier.
Vivier’s products like Derma-V and C E PEPTIDES are excellent examples of formulas rich in these hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients.
Can I skip moisturizer if I have oily skin?
Even if you have oily skin, moisturizing is still essential. Skipping moisturizer can actually backfire. When your skin becomes dehydrated, it produces more oil to compensate, which can lead to congestion or breakouts.
The key is to choose the right texture. Lightweight, non-comedogenic hydrators such as hyaluronic acid deliver the moisture your skin needs without clogging pores or leaving a greasy finish. A great example is Vivier’s Ultimage, formulated with hyaluronic acid to draw water into the skin, keeping it smooth and hydrated with a soft, weightless feel.
If your skin tends to get shiny, think of moisturizer not as an “extra layer,” but as a hydration balancer that keeps oil production under control while maintaining a healthy, resilient barrier.
Is it possible to over-moisturize my skin?
Yes. While hydration is key, over-moisturizing can sometimes backfire. Applying too many heavy layers can clog pores or cause your skin to become dependent on external moisture. To maintain moisture balance, focus on high-quality, targeted products rather than excess quantity. Listen to your skin: if it feels greasy or congested, scale back slightly.
Can I use Derma-V every night?
Yes, Derma-V is specifically designed to be used every night as part of your evening routine, especially during the fall and winter months when your skin barrier needs extra support.
If you have sensitive skin or are new to more active routines, start by using Derma-V two to three nights a week and gradually increase to nightly use as your skin adjusts. Pay attention to how your skin feels—if it wakes up calm, comfortable, and well-hydrated, nightly use is ideal for maintaining a strong, resilient barrier all season long.
As the seasons change, so should your skincare strategy. A hydrating night routine tailored for fall helps your skin repair and retain moisture, counteracting the drying effects of cooler weather.
By cleansing gently, treating with nourishing products like Vivier’s Derma-V, and sealing in hydration with a rich moisturizer, you can achieve long-lasting comfort and radiance.
Consistent care and the right hydrating ingredients for your skin type are your best allies for a smooth transition into the colder months — and for keeping your complexion healthy, glowing, and resilient all season long.
