When autumn arrives, your wardrobe isn't the only thing that changes. Cooler air, windy mornings and indoor heating can leave your skin feeling drier, tighter or more sensitive than it did during summer.

But before you start adding five new serums to your routine, there is something worth knowing: your skin may actually need less, not more.

Dermatologists recommend keeping teenage skincare simple. A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and daily sunscreen can provide the foundation most young skin needs.

Start With a Gentler Cleanse

If your face feels tight immediately after washing it, your cleanser might be too harsh for your skin.

As the weather becomes cooler and drier, choose a gentle cleanser and avoid aggressively scrubbing your face. Dermatologists recommend using lukewarm rather than hot water and washing with your fingertips instead of rough cloths or cleansing tools.

And don't try to "scrub away" spots. Irritating acne-prone skin can actually make breakouts worse.

Don't Skip Moisturiser Because You Have Spots

This is one of the biggest skincare myths.

Oily or acne-prone skin can still become dehydrated, especially if you're using ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These treatments can dry and irritate the skin, which makes moisturising particularly important.

Look for a lightweight product labelled non-comedogenic, meaning it is designed not to clog pores. Ingredients such as ceramides can also help support your skin barrier.

SPF Isn't Just for Summer

Grey sky? Rain? October instead of July?

Your sunscreen still belongs in your routine.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. If you're prone to breakouts, look for sunscreen labelled non-comedogenic or "won't clog pores."

Think of SPF as an everyday skincare habit rather than something you only pack for holiday.

Be Careful With Skincare Trends

Social media can make skincare feel like a competition: another serum, another exfoliating acid, another viral ingredient you apparently need.

You probably don't.

Young skin can become irritated by unnecessarily complicated routines, so introduce new products one at a time. Strong anti-ageing ingredients aren't automatically better just because they're trending.

If you're dealing with acne, ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can sometimes help, but piling several active ingredients together isn't the answer.

Your Simple Autumn Routine

Morning can be as straightforward as gentle cleanse → moisturiser → SPF.

At night, cleanse your skin again to remove sunscreen, makeup and the day's buildup, then moisturise.

That's it.

If your skin is happy, you don't need to keep changing it just because a new product appears on your feed.

This autumn, instead of chasing perfect skin, concentrate on keeping yours comfortable, protected and healthy. Consistency beats complexity.

And remember: breakouts are an extremely normal part of teenage skin. Acne isn't a sign that your face is dirty, and washing or scrubbing harder isn't the solution.