The Autumn Shift: Ingredients that Matter Now

As the air cools and humidity fluctuates, skin and hair begin to behave differently—often quieter, tighter, and more reactive. Autumn is less about correction, and more about restoration, repair, and resilience. The shift starts with ingredients, and here we have listed the key ones that we recommend to customers coming into Lissom Spa & Beauty at this time of year.

For skincare, hydration becomes foundational. Look for hyaluronic acid, which draws water into the skin to restore suppleness, alongside glycerin and vitamin B5 for deeper moisture retention. These humectants help counter seasonal transepidermal water loss—one of the primary causes of dullness and dehydration.

Equally essential: barrier-supporting actives. Ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and peptides strengthen the skin’s natural defence, reducing sensitivity triggered by cooler weather. Peptides, in particular, support collagen signalling—helping skin appear firmer and more resilient.

As summer sun exposure reveals itself, autumn is also the moment to introduce vitamin A (retinoids). These accelerate cellular turnover, refine texture, and soften fine lines—best used gradually as skin adapts. Complement this with gentle chemical exfoliants like AHAs (glycolic or lactic acid) to maintain clarity without compromising the barrier.

For haircare, the same philosophy applies: restore before you rebuild. Seek out proteins (keratin, amino acids) to repair weakened strands, paired with nourishing oils like argan or jojoba to seal moisture and enhance shine. Scalp health also becomes critical—look for niacinamide and antioxidants to support circulation and reduce inflammation at the root.


Below, we've curated a list of our top skincare and haircare recommendations.

Your Autumn Skincare Ritual - By Cosmeceutical Brand


Medik8

  • Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
    This new arrival is a next-generation anti-ageing moisturiser featuring a blend of pro-collagen peptides, Growth Factor MiniProtein™, and NAD⁺ Longevity Booster to support collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid processes — visibly improving skin structure while delaying new signs of ageing.
  • Medik8 C-Tetra Advanced Serum
    We sell at least two bottles a day of this super C serum: This combination of 20% Vitamin C and Phyto Exosomes visibly brightens, smooths, and defends against environmental ageing while supporting the skin barrier.
  • Medik8 Crystal Retinal
    Suitable for more sensitive skin types that cannot handle the traditional retinoids that could impact the skin barrier, this advanced retinal serum that accelerates skin renewal to improve texture, clarity, and fine lines with minimal irritation. If new to vitamin A, we recommend starting on a lower % and working your way up gradually.
  • Medik8 Liquid Peptides
    A multi-peptide serum designed to visibly firm, smooth wrinkles, and support collagen production for youthful skin.
  • Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides
    Last but not least, this 10% niacinamide serum and multi-active treatment designed to visibly reduce blemishes, refine pores and strengthen your skin barrier - all in one lightweight, non-greasy formula. Perfect for blemish-prone skin entering the unpredictable winter months.

ZO Skin Health -> Click here to email us for password access and enquire about the range

  • ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense
    A potent antioxidant moisturiser that strengthens the skin barrier and protects against environmental damage.
  • ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish
    A magnesium crystal exfoliator that instantly smooths, refines texture, and boosts skin radiance.
  • ZO Skin Health Daily Skincare Program
    A foundational regimen we often recommend to first-time ZO Skin Health users, designed to cleanse, exfoliate, and support overall skin health and resilience.

Aspect Dr

  • Aspect Dr Multi B Plus Adaptogen Serum
    A multi-B complex comprising of B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B8, and B12 vitamins. complex serum that calms, hydrates, and strengthens compromised or sensitised skin. Now with Mushroom (Albatrellus Confluens) Extract, which reduces the appearance of skin redness and supports tolerance to daily aggressors.
  • Aspect Dr Resveratrol Moisturising Cream
    An antioxidant-rich moisturiser that nourishes, protects, and supports skin repair while improving hydration.
  • Aspect Dr Core Collection Kit
    A comprehensive kit combining key actives to support skin renewal, hydration, and barrier function. These full-sized skincare products are the perfect introduction to Aspect Dr, suitable for all skin types and at a heavily discounted price point, available for a limited time only!

Cosmedix Elite

  • Cosmedix Elite Serum 16
    A gentle vitamin A serum that refines skin texture and tone while maintaining barrier integrity.
  • Cosmedix Elite Serum 24
    With a potent 24% LG-Retinex blend, a unique encapsulation of retinol and retinal enhanced with proprietary glycosaminoglycans, Serum 24 is an advanced Vitamin A serum formulated to diminish the visibility of medium to deep lines, including crow’s feet, while promoting an even-toned complexion.
  • Cosmedix Elite X-Age Moisturiser (with 0.1% Retinol)
    A soothing treatment that helps calm inflammation and reduce visible redness in sensitive skin. Hero ingredients AGP Retinol Complex help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Liquid Crystal Technology provides hydration for supple-looking skin, and Spin Trap provides antioxidant protection.
  • Cosmedix Elite Pepoxide
    A detoxifying antioxidant serum that brightens and revitalises dull, stressed complexions. Features a unique blend of Astaxanthin (hence the orange colour), Superoxide Dismutase, and Spin Trap for the ultimate superblend of antioxidants.

    iS Clinical

    • iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum
      This is the ultimate autumn hydration + soothing serum. It delivers a fast hit of hyaluronic acid + botanical antioxidants to deeply rehydrate dehydrated, tight skin, calm irritation from wind, heating, and temperature swings, strengthen skin resilience against environmental stress, and give an instant “plumped, cooled” effect. Best for: dehydration, sensitivity, and post-summer skin fatigue.
    • iS Clinical Active Serum
      A power resurfacing serum that helps skin stay smooth and bright as weather changes. It combines botanical acids + salicylic acid + vitamin C to refine texture and reduce congestion, brighten dull, uneven autumn tone, support cell turnover (important when skin slows down in colder months), and reduce breakouts caused by occlusive layering in winter prep routines. 
      Best for: congestion, dullness, and uneven texture.
    • iS Clinical C Eye Serum Advance+
      A cutting edge formulation that effectively combines a 7.5% concentration of IS Clinical's scientifically advanced L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) with Tripeptide-1 (Copper Tripeptide-1) for enhanced age-defying properties.


    Salon-Grade Haircare for Autumn

    In cooler months, from the rainy North to the snowy South Island, haircare is all about:
    Hydration → Bond strength → Cuticle sealing → Anti-humidity barrier

    That combination is what prevents split ends, mid-shaft breakage, and winter frizz.

    The Lissom Team's curated autumn-focused edit of the top 10 salon-grade products are as follows:

    1. Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil: A luxury reparative oil that restores softness and elasticity while sealing frizz and dry ends with weightless shine. Ideal for daily use on mid-lengths and ends.

    2. Oribe Split End Seal Beautiful Color Treatment: A targeted serum that visibly smooths split ends and binds frayed fibres together, helping reduce breakage and extend time between trims.

    3. Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream: A cult styling cream and leave-in conditioner that hydrates the cuticle, smooths flyaways, and creates a polished, glossy finish without heaviness—perfect for dry autumn air.

    4. Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum: An overnight leave-in treatment that continuously infuses moisture into dry strands while you sleep, softening brittle ends and improving manageability by morning.

    5. Kérastase Genesis Anti-Breakage Serum: Strengthens weakened fibres at the root and through lengths, reducing breakage and helping prevent seasonal shedding and snapping ends.

    6. Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Anti-Frizz Hair Oil: A multi-use luminous oil that seals the cuticle, boosts shine, and protects against humidity-induced frizz while improving hair softness over time. This has overtaken our previous bestseller, the Kerastase Elixir Ultime, and every time someone smells the Gloss Absolu range in-store they say "Oh my goodness this scent is incredible!!" - housed in a round pink bottle, it is a very glamorous addition to your bathroom arsenal of haircare products too.

    7. ColorWow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray: Dream Coat uses a ground-breaking, heat-activated polymer technology that is feather-light and claims to keep hair humidity-free and shiny for 3-4 washes. It will not weigh hair down or leave it greasy. When activated by the heat of your blow dryer along with light tension from a brush, Dream Coat forms an invisible, hydrophobic matrix that sheathes every strand in a light, imperceptible “raincoat” that repels moisture. It is so cutting edge that L'Oreal refuses to disclose how much the company paid for the brand and its patented technology last year: Rumours have it that the company sold for over USD 1 billion, and this is the hero product.

    8. Moroccanoil Smoothing Lotion: Designed to fight humidity and static, this lightweight styler smooths the hair surface and keeps frizz controlled throughout the day.

    9. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Protector: Olaplex No. 3 is a weekly treatment to maintain the hair's strength in between salon visits and to reconstruct the hair from the inside out.  Using a single active ingredient to rebuild the disulphide sulphur bonds which are usually compromised during bleaching, the hair is left feeling and looking softer and healthier, full of radiant shine.

    10. CZE Style Defining Creme: Formulated by NZ hairdresser Chloe Zara, smooth this cream on to frizz-prone hair for instantly improved softness, hydration, and manageability while reducing breakage in stressed ends.