Summer has passed and autumn has begun. The days are getting shorter, the air cooler, and the sun appears less often. Yet you may notice now that your skin is changing — tightness, dryness, or dark spots suddenly becoming more visible. Recognizable? That’s exactly why autumn is such an important season for melanin-rich skin.

What happens to your skin in autumn

During summer, your skin is constantly stimulated by sunlight, heat and sweat. It may seem protective, but your skin is also “arming” itself. Two cell types play a key role in this:

Keratinocytes – the building cells of your epidermis. With lots of sun exposure, they divide and accumulate faster, thickening the top layer of the skin. This is called hyperkeratinization. Think of it as an extra shield your skin builds for protection.

Melanocytes – the pigment-producing cells. They create melanin as soon as UV light hits your skin. This pigment is transferred to keratinocytes, which carry it like a protective umbrella over the cell nucleus to prevent DNA damage.

In summer, keratinocytes and melanocytes work together:
one thickens the skin, the other increases pigmentation for protection.

Then autumn arrives: the sun becomes weaker, but that thickened outer layer stays in place for a while. As a result, your skin may look dull, feel tight, and absorb products less effectively.
At the same time, the deeper pigment produced during summer now begins to “surface,” becoming more visible.

Another interesting fact: melanin-rich skin naturally contains fewer ceramides (the lipids that keep your skin barrier strong and flexible). In the cooler, drier autumn air, more moisture can evaporate — a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). That explains why melanin-rich skin can feel drier or rougher during this season.

Autumn = the season for skin improvement

Many people see autumn as a quiet transition season, but for your skin it’s actually the ideal time for recovery. Because there is less sun exposure, the skin is calmer, making it safer to focus on repair and improvement.
Think of calming pigment cells, restoring your barrier, and bringing back your natural glow.

Consider autumn the “reset button” after summer: where summer challenges the skin, autumn gives space to restore and prepare for a healthy, even complexion during winter.

What you can already start doing

💧 Hydrate & protect in one step:
Choose a cream that deeply hydrates and protects daily. Our Natural Day Cream with SPF 30 does exactly that. It locks in moisture, soothes the skin and prevents new dark spots caused by residual UV. A must-have — even in autumn.

🌿 Give your skin a mask moment:
Use the Natural Face Scrub twice a week not only as a scrub, but leave it on for 30 minutes as a mask. This helps gently refine the thickened outer layer while allowing active ingredients to penetrate more deeply. It supports your skin in the transition from summer to autumn and gives it fresh breathing room.

🥗 Nourish from within:
Incorporate skin-friendly, antioxidant-rich foods like pumpkin, nuts, and green tea. These help calm pigment cells and strengthen the skin barrier, making your skin more resilient to the dry air this season.

In the coming weeks of this Seasonal Skin Talks series, I’ll take you even deeper into what autumn means for melanin-rich skin. From hydration to pigmentation to lifestyle — step by step we’ll build toward healthy, glowing skin this season.

Keep learning, keep glowing — until the next Melanin Moment! 💛
With love,
Angela