With the mercury starting to creep north and an early start to Spring expected for some, we think it’s safe to feel a little positivity and good cheer after several months of really bleak weather and vibes.
For some, however, this Spring awakening and its change in pace, combined with the extra time spent in public and under the sun, can lead to a bit of a shock, skin wise.
Used to being indoors, spoilt and pampered in recent months, our skin has got a little complacent. Suddenly, in the excitement of seeing friends and family again, seasonal skincare routines risk being sidelined.
Don’t let a bout of blemishes, dry skin or oiliness take the spring out of your step as you swagger out of winter hibernation and into the big wide world. Here are 5 springtime skincare tips to have you stepping out with confidence.
Invest In Spring Specific Skincare
Skincare products aren’t always applicable all year round, with certain products being much more appropriate for winter than summer, or sutumn than spring.
There’s no better time for a spring clean of your products than, well, spring. Richer creams that are ideally suited to winter skin tend to be excessively heavy for spring, but your skin will still be crying out for replenishment of moisture, particularly if you’re enjoying the pub garden (and alcohol’s dehydrating nature) a little too enthusiastically.
Keep an eye on skincare ingredients to make sure you’re giving your skin exactly what it needs. Instead of heavier creams, opt for a lighter serum or moisturiser to help balance the skin whilst keeping it hydrated. Which brings us to…
Cleanse Daily For Fresh Feeling Skin
Sure, it may sound obvious, but we don’t mind admitting that standards may have slipped during January – with folk abstaining from drink, meat and, erm, fun – and the pressure to socialise hitting the skids.
But as we step out more willingly for spring, our skin is more prone to exposure to pollutants and the general wear and tear of a day spent al fresco – not to mention harmful UV rays, but we’ll get to that later.
Generally speaking, a simple dose of soap and water isn’t enough to thoroughly cleanse our skin. Instead, try to place particular emphasis on three key ingredients in your cleansing routine: hyaluronic acid, which improves moisture and discreetly addresses fine lines; Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, which help remove dead skin cells gently; and Vitamin E and C, which both work to fend off free radicals, a key culprit of fine lines.
Ideally, you should cleanse twice a day, using a fragrance-free cleanser that suits your skin type. Do so in the morning before you apply your beauty and skincare products, and at night, to remove all impurities that may have built up during the day.
For those with dry, sensitive skin, gel or cream cleansers are great. And for oily skin, foaming cleansers work best. If you’re prone to acne, then keep away from oil based cleansers and instead go for something completely oil free.
Exfoliating your skin is an essential part of any skincare regime, too, helping to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and improve the overall tone and texture of your complexion.
Exfoliating can be done in a variety of ways including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or using a gentle scrub. However, it’s important to note that over-exfoliation can cause irritation and inflammation so it’s best to consult with a skincare specialist before you begin exfoliating your skin. Your skin’s barrier can also be damaged from over-exfoliating, so make sure to take care and not scrub too hard.
Read: 10 IDEAL skincare ingredients to look out for
Pay Attention To Transitions Between Indoors & Out
Exercise can do wonders for your overall physical and mental health, that much we know. But did you know that regular exercise can also do wonders for your skin? As the guys at Everyday Health point out, ‘’physical activity impacts skin cells, decreases stress, and improves sleep — all factors that can give you a younger-looking complexion’’.
Fantastic news! But if you’re planning on doing more of your exercise outdoors now the weather shows some signs of warming up, you could be risking the wrath of the sun on your complexion.
When consulting with skincare specialists, they never fail to emphasise the importance of using sunscreen as part of your daily regimen, so every time you step out to exercise, it’s important to use a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen can help protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Those rays can cause changes in pigmentation, lines and wrinkles and generally play havoc with the condition of your skin, as well as causing an increased risk of skin cancer. Whatever your skin type, keeping your skin safe in the sun should be a top priority this spring.
Read: 5 tips for protecting your skin when exercising outside
Redefine Your Relationship With Water
A rather pretentious way of saying drink more of the stuff, we realise, but we got your attention, didn’t we?
We keep mentioning hydration, but that’s because it’s so important, particularly as the weather warms up. It can be all too easy to forget to drink water regularly, but this is a big mistake when it comes to skincare. In order to help your skin glow, you need to make sure it’s hydrated from the inside out.
The phrase ‘8 by 8’ is useful at keeping track of how many glasses of water you consume before the end of the day; simply drink eight glasses of water by 8pm and you’ll have had your fill for the day. However, there is no need to over hydrate as this will not add any benefit.
Sleep Hygiene Is As Important As Skin Hygiene
This article is in danger of repeating itself, we know that, but skincare loves consistency, so repeat, remind and reiterate we will.
The first months of a new year can be a welcome time of hibernation, retreating into oneself to build up the bank balance, unpickle the liver and generally lick some wounds accrued over the festive season. We’re sure we speak for you, too?
But an excess of sleep just the same as a lack of it, particularly when made a regular thing, causes the stress hormone cortisol to be released, which in turn encourages inflammation in the skin, leading to flare-ups in conditions like acne and eczema. Yep, beauty sleep is a real thing, and you should be aiming to get at least 8 hours of quality sleep a night accordingly.
The Bottom Line
Skincare? Spring care, more like! By ensuring your beauty routine is a seasonal affair, you give your complexion the chance to be as glowing as you deserve.