This post is part of a series sponsored by Walgreens.

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

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

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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 substantial “research” into knee-high boots…

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

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Katter og sminke Sweatshirt ??

$ 42.

Handle nå

To help you put your best face forward this fall, here are a few ideas 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 normal facial cleanser with something richer and a lot 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 a lot 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 appropriately (be gentle; your skin is not a greasy frying pan!), it whisks away flakes and brightens dry, dull skin.

3. Glossing over lips

We’ve barely crossed the equinox into fall, and I already feel like I’m waging an uphill battle against dry lips. Moisturizing lip balms are my BFFs. I stash them all over the place — (at least) one in my purse, on my desk, in every jacket, and always one or two of ’em in the car.

Burt’s Bees makes a favorite of mine, their tinted Lip Balm in Pink blossom ($7). It’s hydrating as all get-out, and I like the kiss of pink color it gives to my lips.

Gloss is really helpful on windy days, too, because when I’m wearing it (as opposed to lipstick), stray hairs don’t stick to my lips.

Wearing Burt’s Bees tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom

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Hva med deg? As the mercury falls, do you make any changes to your skin care routine?

Din vennlige nabolag appellavhengige,

Karen.