Grooming gurus and beauty brands devote a great deal of time talking about the transition from summer to winter. So by now you should know the drill: thicker creams, stronger serums and lots of acids. While that move is relatively simple, autumn is slightly more tricky. "Now is the time to focus on rebalancing and repairing the skin from any damage caused in summer," says Gregor Jaspers, founder of skincare brand The Grey. "But at the same time, you also need to look ahead to winter, when you're going to be hit with some harsh temperatures." If you're going to face up to the months ahead, you need to get your skin in tip-top condition, which only comes by following these five autumn skincare tips.

Switch Up Your Serum 

After months of alfresco fun, autumn skin can feel fragile, dry and in need of nourishment. To combat this, opt for a serum that focuses on rebuilding the skin's barrier function, which will allow it to better retain water and make it less prone to damage come winter. The Grey's Recovery Serum is packed with antioxidants, phytonutrients and peptides – which is basically grooming speak for saying its a concentrated, cooling formula that works like a dream.

Detox Your Pores 

One of the main downsides of summer (at least as far as your Instagram goes) is that heat and humidity can send your skin's oil production into overdrive, leading to breakouts. Now is the time to pull on the powers of clay and charcoal to mop up any excess sebum, with the latter capable of absorbing a thousand times its weight in impurities. Try Patchology's Mud Detox Sheet Mask, which uses mineral-rich volcanic ash to suck out blackheads, reduce redness and tighten pores.

Move To An Emulsion 

If you've been using a moisturiser over the last few months, and we hope you have, chances are it's something water-based and refreshing. Now that long nights are drawing in, it's time to use that pot up and move to an emulsion. Just like moisturisers, emulsions focus on nourishing, calming and hydrating the skin. However, unlike moisturisers, they're able to get down to the deeper levels of the dermis due to their typically smaller molecular structure. SA.AL & CO's Light Moisturiser fits the bill and also doubles up as a post-shave balm.

Spotlight Your Scalp 

Heat, chlorine, sun, and seawater can all wreak havoc on your hair. To avoid any long-term damage, use autumn to take a break from heavy styling aids like pomade and instead lather your scalp up with a detoxifying shampoo. Bullfrog's creamy formula nourishes the scalp while also treating inflammation, irritation and dandruff. Apply it through your hair and beard once or twice a week and leave for a few minutes to let the active ingredients to get to work. 

Tone Up Your Toner 

The acid mantle (a fine film on the surface of your epidermis) is the body's first defence against bacteria, viruses and other harmful foreign bodies. Sun, sea, sand – basically anything chemically or physically abrasive – can disrupt that mantle, leaving the skin open to infection. Thankfully it's possible to make amends with a toner, like the one produced by handsome Aussie brand Grown Alchemist. A light splash over some cotton pads or applied straight onto your face will do the trick. Science, eh?