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The leaves are falling! The leaves are falling! And, oh my — that brisk breeze that leaves cool kisses on your cheeks? Yep, it’s baaack.

Fall, that is. I actually like the idea of the seasons changing and the different colors everywhere and the leaves falling from the trees. But in practice, I just don’t like being anything but warm. 🙂

This “in-between” time is actually one of my favorite times of year. Not yet winter, and just barely into fall. Too bad I know it won’t last. Pretty soon we’ll be freezing our bums off! — but this time we’ll be prepared.

I’ve been conducting extensive “research” into knee-high boots…

…and fine tuning my skin care routine to prepare my face for the chilly days ahead.

To help you put your best face forward this fall, here are a few tips and products that won’t break the bank.

1. Change can be cleansing

Because those dry, biting winds that whip up in late fall always wreak havoc on my combination dry/oily skin, I like to replace my usual facial cleanser with something richer and more moisturizing. I recently started using and loving La Roche-Posay’s creamy Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser ($20). It gently cleanses the skin and removes my makeup (all but the longest-wearing and waterproof stuff), but more importantly, it leaves my face feeling hydrated and soft.

I’ve also heard good things about La Roche-Posay’s Physiological Cleansing Gel (also $20). I haven’t tried it yet, but like Toleriane it’s non-comedogenic and recommended for sensitive skin.

2. Exfoliation nation

Ahh, flakes. They’re not just for cereal anymore. Come fall and winter, I start seeing dry skin flakes on my cheeks and around my nose (not cute). A few months back I asked my dermatologist about it, and she recommended the Buf-Puf Facial Sponge (just $5). So old school, I know, but when used properly (be gentle; your skin is not a greasy frying pan!), it whisks away flakes and brightens dry, dull skin.
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