Skincare needs and priorities change as we enter into spring and our skin is exposed less to cold, dry air and more to higher moisture levels in the air, warmer temperatures, and increased sunshine. We all know that the cold, dry weather and high use of air conditioning leads to issues like dry and chapped skin. But now that spring is here, and with it the promise of warmer weather, our new regimen and practices should focus on sun and skin protection.
Spring is a deceptive season for skincare. The weather is sometimes still overcast, making us think that there is no need for an SPF. Unfortunately, damaging UV rays can still penetrate through clouds and harm your skin. The most important product you can keep in your spring skincare routine is facial sunscreen, especially as we start to spend more time outside, making the most of the warmer weather.
Now is also a good time to think about exfoliation. After the cold and dry weather from winter, light exfoliation can help brighten dry winter skin. A blend of chemical and physical exfoliation can be the ideal mix to get your skin back on track after winter. Remember to not overdo it, one or twice a week is enough or you risk overstimulating and irritating your skin.
Hydration is always important when it comes to good skincare. You still need to moisturise, but you can look at swapping to a lighter moisturiser during the day and save the oils or heavier moisturiser for night use. As wonderful as the feeling of the warm sun on your face is, you need to make sure you are staying cool and fresh. A floral water or toner spray is one of the easiest ways to quickly refresh the skin and cool down. These hydrating face mists will help to keep your skin refreshed and hydrated throughout the day.
If you find your face feeling hot at night, you can use a rose quartz roller to cool down. Natural rose quartz is a cooling stone that can maintain its normal temperature even in hot weather.
Now is also the time for a spring clean of not only your makeup brushes and skincare tools but your old products. It’s important to clean any beauty tool that comes into contact with your face to prevent bacteria from building up, which can cause your pores to clog and skin to break out. Make some time to deep clean your makeup brushes at least once a week.
Throw any products that are past the expiration date, which can usually be seen on the bottom of the packaging. You are looking for a symbol with an open jar, a number and letter, to indicate how long your product will last after opening (for example, 12m means your product is good for 12 months after you first open it). Keep in mind that even if a product hasn’t been opened, active ingredients will become less potent and less effective over time. If you can’t find any markings, use the smell test. If something doesn’t look, smell, or feel the way it did when you purchased it, you should probably throw it out.
Don’t forget about the skin below your chin. Your body will need a little attention after a cold winter. Consider a body exfoliate such as a sugar scrub and a light lotion to get your legs, elbows, arms, knees and heels ready to see daylight gain. Remember to moisturise your neck and décolletage, which is often one of the first places that will show signs of aging.
Think about your hair as well. People tend to forget how seasonal shifts might affect their hair. Your hair can dry out if you are doing more outdoor activities. You can try a conditioning hair mask or a lightweight hair oil if you need extra hydration.
The main takeaway for spring skincare is to protect and hydrate.
References:
whish beauty. (n.d.). How to Adjust Your Skincare Routine for the Changing Seasons. [online] Available at: https://whishbody.com/…/how-to-adjust-your-skincare… [Accessed 26 Aug. 2022].
RoseSkinCo. (n.d.). A spring clean beauty routine: switching out your winter skincare for spring! [online] Available at: https://roseskinco.com/…/spring-summer-skincare-routine [Accessed 29 Aug. 2022].
EverydayHealth.com. (n.d.). How to Tweak Your Skin-Care Routine for Spring. [online] Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/…/how-to-tweak-your…/ [Accessed 29 Aug. 2022].
InStyle. (n.d.). 8 Easy Skincare Swaps to Make For Spring. [online] Available at: https://www.instyle.com/beauty/skin/spring-skincare-tips [Accessed 29 Aug. 2022].
Real Simple. (n.d.). 5 Derm-Approved Ways to Transition Your Skincare Routine to Warmer Weather. [online] Available at: https://www.realsimple.com/…/spring-skincare-routine [Accessed 29 Aug. 2022].