The arrival of spring brings longer days, warmer sunshine, and the blooming of life after the dark, dreary winter months. While spring is beautiful, it also introduces unique skin care challenges. Here are some Spring skincare tips
The shift in seasons brings with it a slew of welcome changes– more daylight hours, warm sunshine returns. Flowers and life emerge from the dark and dreary winter months. But while there are so many beautiful things about spring, there can also be some challenges. Aside from the seasonal difficulties of allergies, spring fever, and rollercoaster weather changes (it went from sunny to rainy in a matter of minutes), skin conditions can arise as well. After months of being inside overheated, dry spaces and dealing with cold air chapping cheeks and noses, you may find your face looking dull, dry, and in need of some serious TLC and spring skincare tips and guidance.
Let’s have a little anatomy lesson before we get to the good stuff of spring skincare strategies
The skin is made up of three layers:
—— Epidermis
—— Dermis
—— Hypodermis
The outermost layer of skin, known collectively as the epidermis, is our bodies’ first line of defence against environmental pollution, germs, and other foreign material.
The dermis is the middle layer, which contains sweat glands, hair follicles, capillaries and nerve endings.
Finally, the hypodermis is the innermost layer, a fatty layer containing connective tissue that binds it to the muscle and skeletal tissue.
When discussing skincare, it’s important to know that I’m only talking about the epidermis layer, which is visible and shows the signs of damage and ageing.
Once Spring Has Sprung, Alleviate Common Spring Skin Issues with Skincare Strategies
DRY SKIN
In the winter months, skin is generally exposed to cold, dry air, and we all know the unpleasant feeling of chapped, red, and dry skin. The relative humidity of the air around you outside and in your home is very low, which causes moisture to escape the skin.
Important note:
It’s essential to know the difference between DEHYDRATED and DRY skin.
When skin is DEHYDRATED, it lacks water, making it more susceptible to damage. Dead skin cells accumulate, leading to clogged pores and blemishes.
#1 of Spring skincare tips: Focus on increasing your water intake and consider using a thicker moisturizer or a hyaluronic acid serum to increase your skin’s moisture. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that your body produces naturally but depletes as you age. It’s a very effective skincare ingredient because it can hold 1000 times its weight in water, boosting hydration in the skin without feeling greasy like an oil-based moisturizer might.
Alternatively, DRY SKIN lacks the natural oils that make it supple and smooth, so your skin appears flaky and rough. Dry skin is usually a more ongoing issue than dehydration, and using a high-quality facial oil or oil-based moisturizer will help reduce dryness.
#2 of Spring skincare tips: Look for a cream or ointment that contains one or more of the following ingredients: Jojoba oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid, Shea butter. If you suffer from dry skin, it’s also essential to examine the skincare products you might be using, like foaming cleansers, and make sure they aren’t stripping your skin of necessary oils.
BLEMISH-PRONE SKIN
As spring arrives and temperature increases, sweat and oil production increase, often affecting blemish-prone skin. Oil and sweat on their own are not inherently an issue. The skin creates oils to protect the moisture barrier, preventing foreign bodies from entering the skin as easily. However, if oil production is increased, it can trap dirt and dead skin cells in the pores, leading to blemishes, pimples, and blackheads. So, how do you set your skin up for success over this transition period?
#3 of Spring skincare tips: Focus on exfoliation to remove excess dead skin, then follow up with hydration to protect new layers of skin. For an intensive skincare routine, consider booking a chemical peel every 4 to 6 weeks over seasonal transition periods. This will help remove dead skin, jumpstart the production of new skin cells, and reduce oil production over time, all resulting in a smoother, clearer complexion.
DERMATITIS AND ITCHY SKIN
When the weather starts to warm, your skin is exposed to a new set of environmental factors. Plants begin to burst to life. All those pretty flowers and plants bring an onslaught of pollen. Pollen and grass allergies wreak havoc not only on your sinuses but also on your skin. This could be the culprit if you struggle with itchy skin during the spring months.
#4 of Spring skincare tips: Pay attention to whether your skin feels better or worse after being outside. If being out and about causes your skin to become irritated, try showering or washing your face after spending lots of time outside. Consider investing in an air purifier system for your bedroom or office. This helps to create a space free from the irritants that may be causing the skin to be itchy or red. Your skincare products could also aggravate any allergy issues caused by spring. Use moisturizers containing little to no additional scents designed for sensitive skin.
Year-Round Beauty Planning: Eisenhower’s Advice Applied to Skin Care
Dwight D. Eisenhower once said,
‘Plans are NOTHING; planning is EVERYTHING.’
This wisdom holds true for managing skin care through the seasons.
The plan, as a single path, is nothing. To be effective, it has to be flexible, adaptable, and scalable to unforeseen circumstances. So, creating a yearly beauty plan means nothing; planning for each season is everything. Here’s how you can tackle skin issues before they arise.
More Time for Self-Care:
Considering our busy world, finding time for comprehensive skincare routines can be tough. Streamlining your beauty routine with structured, time-saving steps can help you maintain consistent care for your skin.
Better Skin—Inside and Out:
Ultimately, achieving healthy, radiant skin goes beyond topical treatments; it’s about a holistic support system. Integrating dietary considerations to boost the gut-skin connection and facial exercises can tackle the root causes of skin issues, enhancing both the appearance and health of your skin.
Confidence and Peace of Mind All Year Round:
By adapting your beauty routine to the seasonal needs of your skin, you ensure that you look and feel your best throughout the year, no matter your age.
By taking some of the above steps to address these common spring skin issues, you can mitigate the effects of the season.
Ready to hop off the frustrating anti-ageing merry-go-round? There’s a better way, and it doesn’t involve spending endless time and money on product promises that don’t deliver and feeling like there’s a secret you’re missing. If you want to tackle unforeseen stumbling stones along your beauty journey just like my A-list celebrity clients, like Natalie Portman and others, you need my ultimate holistic beauty calendar >> Give me two hours, and I’ll flip your beauty confidence upside down—
in the best way.
References for this information:
1. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, June 2019, pages 85–90
2. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, November 2018, pages 1186–1189
3. Dermato Endocrinology, April 2013, pages 264-270
4. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, February 2019, page 495-499
5. Gynecological Endocrinology, November 2017, pages 845-848
6. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, October 2017, pages 535-542
7. Nutrient, June 2017, page 622
8. Frontiers in Pharmacology, May 2016, ePublication
9. Dermatology and Therapy, February 2021, pages 53-69
10. Molecules, November 2022, pages 1–13