After a long, cold winter, warm spring weather always feels like a treat. We can put away the snow shovels, ditch the layers upon layers of clothing, and actually spend time out in the sunshine. Our skin, which may have gotten dry, itchy, and irritated from the cold, dry winter weather, can breathe a sigh of relief too, with warm, moist, complexion-friendly air finally circulating again.
But while spring may usher in changes that make the weather kinder to your skin, you need to make your own changes if you want to maintain healthy, glowing skin. The skincare routine that gets you through a harsh winter probably isn’t the best option for your skin when the weather heats up. Making a few key changes to routine may be all it takes to keep your skin looking bright and fresh all spring – and summer – long.
Start with your moisturizer. In the winter, a thick, heavy formula that provides intense hydration may be necessary when dry, cold air is robbing your skin of moisture at every turn. With warmer, more humid conditions in the spring, your skin may not need as much help. Switch to a lightweight formula that won’t clog your pores. Dermalogica’s Active Moist is a good option because its oil-free formula can keep your skin hydrated without leaving behind greasy residue. Pevonia Balancing Combination Skin Cream is an ideal fit for combination skin because it helps control oil in the t-zone while hydrating the rest of your face for a balanced complexion.
If you have extremely oily skin, the warm spring and summer weather can increase your oil production and leave you with an unflattering shiny complexion. Incorporating a mattifying product in your skincare routine can keep oil from breaking through your makeup and prevent pore clogs that may lead to breakouts. Bioelements’ Oil Control Mattifier is a lightweight cream that helps blot away breakthrough oil and maintain a matte finish for your skin all day. Another option is the Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion, which is an oil-free formula that absorbs excess oil while lightly hydrating the skin so you can use it in place of a moisturizer. If you have acne-prone skin, opt for the Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier, which helps control oil and reduce shine while utilizing salicylic acid to keep pores clean and breakouts at bay.
After the long, cold winter, you may also notice that your skin is looking rather dull. While exfoliating scrubs can be a bad idea when the weather’s cold and dry, they are a great option for sloughing off dead skin cells once the warm, moist spring air is in full effect. If have dry skin, the Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant is an ideal option. The non-abrasive formula helps remove dulling surface debris and improve skin texture when you use it up to two times a week. Oily skin may need more frequent exfoliation to keep the pores clear so opt for an exfoliating product that you can use daily. The GloTherapeutics Daily Polishing Cleanser is a unique powder formula that contains jojoba beads and salicylic acid to remove impurities from the skin. Mix a small amount of the powder with water to create a paste and gently massage into skin before rinsing.
The most important change to your skincare routine for spring, though, involves sunscreen. Of course, you should wear sunscreen year-round but when the weather is warm, you’ll likely be spending more time outside so it becomes even more important. If you don’t want to add more products to your routine, look for a moisturizer that contains a broad spectrum SPF like Dermalogica’s Pure Light SPF30, a medium weight moisturizer than uses chemical-free sunscreen ingredients to protect your skin from UV rays.
If you spend most of your time outdoors when the weather is warm, though, you may want to use a stronger SPF. The Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 is a sunscreen supplement that you can mix with your regular moisturizer to give it broad spectrum sun protection. If you prefer an all-in-one product, the Bioelements SPF50 FaceScreen is a moisturizing sunscreen that contains antioxidants and soothing botanicals along with UVA/UVB protection.