The Definitive Seasonal Skin Reset

Fall mistakes, smarter swaps, and "zombie cells", explained.

Today’s letter is in collaboration with our friends at Barefaced. If you would like to work with The Love List, please reach out to lauren@aire-ny.com.

I’ve always admired founders who build brands that feel like a direct extension of their own clarity, and Jordan Harper is one of them. She’s a nurse practitioner with years of experience in dermatology and aesthetics, and her approach to skin reflects that clinical training. When she launched Barefaced, the point wasn’t to chase trends but to create a pared-back, evidence-based line that makes sense in a category where complication is often confused with care.

Her newest launch, The Polishing Pads, is a perfect example of that philosophy. They’re not about chasing glow in the abstract, but about achieving consistent, measurable skin health: addressing buildup, refining texture, and making the rest of your routine work more effectively. Like everything else in her line, they earn their space by being functional.

The timing matters, too. Seasonal change is when skin is most vulnerable, and fall is when many of us realize the habits that worked in July won’t hold in October. Dryness, sensitivity, and a loss of balance are common, but so are missteps like over-exfoliating, skipping barrier support, or clinging to a summer routine too long.

That’s why I wanted to chat with Harper. Selfishly, I wanted her perspective on what needs to shift when the weather does, the mistakes she sees most often, and the care she considers essential in colder months. Below, her take on editing your routine for fall, built on the same clarity that defines her brand.

P.S., if you see anything you like, use code JESS15 for 15% off through 10/31 at Barefaced.com, valid once per customer. And if you need ingredient explanations, our skincare glossary is available here.

Jess Graves: As we head into fall and winter, what are the biggest mistakes people make when transitioning their skincare routines for colder weather?

Jordan Harper: The biggest mistake I see is overusing moisturizer and under-exfoliating. If you don’t clear away dead skin cells, moisturizer can’t actually penetrate; it just sits on top, leaving skin dull and dry. Healthy winter skin is all about balance: gentle exfoliation paired with real hydration.

JG: Skin often feels drier and tighter when the temperatures drop. How do you strengthen and protect the skin barrier during these months?

JH: I always focus on maintaining skin barrier integrity. I love a gentle exfoliant, such as our Toning Pads (but I use it every other day if my skin feels tight), a calming barrier serum like Overachiever, and a nourishing moisturizer like our Hydrating Lotion, which contains ceramides and peptides. The right products repair and hydrate without stripping, which keeps skin resilient when the weather is harsh.

JG: I hear the term “Zombie Cells” thrown around more and more lately. Wtf is a Zombie Cell?

JH: Ha! “Zombie cells” are a nickname for senescent cells, which are damaged skin cells that stop working properly but don’t die off. Instead, they hang around, causing inflammation, interfering with healthy turnover, and can lead to accelerated skin aging. Think about it like a bowl of fruit. If you have one bad apple, all of the fruit goes bad. That’s exactly like a zombie cell. They’re trying to bring your healthy cells down with them. Ingredients like Alpine Rose, which we use in our Polishing Pads, help sweep them away, allowing healthy cells to thrive.

JG: Last winter, I had to get professional intervention from overdoing it on “barrier” products — I gave myself dermatitis! What role does hydration play in preventing winter dullness, and how can we layer products more effectively when humidity is low?

JH: Hydration is key in the winter, but it can only do so much on its own. If dead skin cells are sitting on the surface, moisturizer sits on top. The real secret to glowing skin is balance: gentle exfoliation to clear the way, followed by hydration to plump and smooth. That combination keeps skin glowy even in the driest months.

JG: For people struggling with flare-ups of redness or irritation in cold weather, what’s your best advice for calming the skin without losing progress on treatments like exfoliation or brightening?

JH: Don’t panic and cut everything out. Instead, ease up on actives (such as your exfoliant and retinoids) for a week, and lean into calming ingredients like hypochlorous acid (I use this throughout the day to keep my skin cleansed and supported) and niacinamide. Then, reintroduce actives slowly. This approach helps calm redness and reduce inflammation without compromising the progress you’ve made.

JG: If someone could only add one thing to their fall/winter routine, which would you recommend as the non-negotiable?

JH: Overachiever, it’s the one product I don’t skip. It keeps my skin feeling calm, hydrated, and balanced, even when the weather is all over the place. In the winter, it’s like my safety net. Everything else I use works better when Overachiever is in the mix.

JG: Can you share a little behind-the-scenes on how you test products for real-life seasonal shifts—like freezing temps outside and blasting heat indoors?

JH: Outside of our clinical testing. We also always test products on real people, in real conditions. We have customer cohorts across the country who try our formulas at different times of the year and provide feedback. Personally, I also “stress test” everything on flights, after skiing, or in the Southern humidity. A product has to work in life, not just in the lab.

The Barefaced cohort: 1. Clean Slate Spritz, 2. Toning Pads, 3. Liquid Gold, 4. Hydrating Lotion, 5. Overachiever, 6. Polishing Pads

JG: What’s the best way to balance actives like retinol or vitamin C with the need for extra moisture and barrier protection in the winter months?

JH: If your skin feels sensitive and dry during the winter or at any other time, I recommend the “sandwich method.” Buffer actives with hydration; for example, apply a light moisturizer before and after your retinoid, or pair vitamin C with a hydrating serum in the morning. I also love incorporating our Clean Slate Spritz, a mineral-infused hypochlorous mist, throughout the day to keep the skin barrier strong and healthy. You still get results, but without the irritation.

JG: Many people travel more during the holidays—do you have any travel-friendly staples you personally never skip when you’re on the go?

JH: Toning Pads paired with Liquid Gold, our vitamin C serum, are a must, no matter where I am, to keep the skin looking healthy and glowy. And then the travel-sized Clean Slate Spritz to cleanse and hydrate on the go. I also love an overnight collagen mask after a flight to boost hydration.

JG: What’s your personal go-to ritual when your skin feels especially parched or stressed in the middle of winter, something that feels comforting?

JH: Here is what I do step by step if my skin is feeling dry: at night, I use our Polishing Pads for a deeper exfoliation, then I shave my face with our facial shave oil. Then follow up with Overachiever and Hydrating Lotion to calm, soothe, and nourish the skin. Last step: sleep in an overnight hydrating mask. Do this and you’ll wake up with your skin GLOWING.

JG: Last question! What’s on your fall wishlist? Any coats, boots, or sweaters you’ve added to your cart?

JH: I’m on the hunt for a good, classic trench coat like this one from Jenni Kayne.