Thick moisturizers and hydrating cream cleansers will get you through the cold months—but as the seasons change, so should your skin care. Spring brings about rising temperatures and longer days, and much like the animals who awaken from their winter slumber, you may feel renewed and rejuvenated. Your spring skin care routine should reflect the lightness you feel as you leave winter behind and step into the new season.
How Do Seasonal Shifts Affect Your Skin?
Many things about spring can benefit your skin, like humidity, warmer temperatures, and sunshine. But the weather can be unpredictable. Spring is the awkward middle child; it's no longer winter, but it's not quite summer. One day, it's warm and you're outside in a T-shirt; the next day, it snows. How can you best support your skin during this shift? Before changing skin care products, there are other factors to consider.
The harsh winter weather damages your skin barrier, leading to dry skin and even acne. So, you typically want to be gentle on your skin during this time, and only wash your face once (or twice if necessary) a day. As the humidity and temperatures rise in the spring, your skin may experience some relief, but you'll also sweat more. This can create problems like clogged pores, oily skin, and breakouts, so you might need to wash your face two or three times a day, especially after working out or sweating excessively.
Sun exposure is a concern in every season, and sunscreen should be worn all year round. After a long, cold winter, nothing feels better than soaking up some sun, but there can be risks to sudden exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. According to the Mayo Clinic, polymorphous light eruption is a rash that occurs—usually in the spring and early summer—when you abruptly increase your sun exposure. Stay protected from the sun's UV rays, especially during peak times, by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen formulated for sensitive skin.
Tips to Transition from Winter to Spring Skin Care
Your skin care routine likely follows the same steps through every season: cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. But the types of products you use may need some alternating. These four tips will make your transition from winter to spring a breeze.
1. Cleanse Away Excess Oils
You sweat more in warmer weather; that's simply a fact. And with that excessive sweating, your skin produces more sebum, leading to greasy-looking skin and breakouts. Freshen up with a gel or foam cleanser, like the EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser, which uses gentle enzymes and an amino acid blend that cleans deep and balances oil levels. Follow it up with the EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner, which digs deep in order to detox, balance fine lines, and boost luminosity.
2. Use a Water-Based Serum
Moisturized skin and hydrated skin are often used interchangeably, but they're different phenomena. Moisture refers to oils and hydration refers to water. Seeing as skin naturally produces more oils in the spring, this is a great time to shift your focus toward hydration with a water-based serum containing hyaluronic acid. This kind of product will keep skin supple and restore and protect your skin barrier.
3. Switch to a Lightweight Moisturizer
Your skin naturally retains more moisture in the spring—thanks humidity! Still, this doesn't mean you should skip the moisturizer. The EltaMD Skin Recovery Light Moisturizer feels weightless on your skin, but with ingredients like squalane, it's hydrating enough to nurture dehydrated skin and protect against future moisture loss, which accelerates signs of aging.
4. Commit to Sun Protection
While UV rays are a threat all year round, the UV index is highest in the spring and summer. Therefore, this is the time to get serious about your daily sunscreen ritual. EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ is perfect for everyday wear in the spring because it's lightweight and airy, offering up to 80 minutes of sweat and water resistance.
Spring Into Skin Care
With a spring shift, your skin care routine will be fresh and fun again—a reflection of your mood as you wave goodbye to winter and say hello to warmer days ahead. Remember: If you have any questions or concerns about your skin health, make an appointment to visit a board-certified Dermatologist. These professionals are here to help keep you and your skin healthy and glowing all year long.
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