8 Spring Skin Care Tips That’ll Keep You Glowing All Season

The shift from cold winter temperatures to the warmer, more humid days of spring is a welcome change. But as the seasons transition, so should your skincare regimen. The products and habits that keep your complexion healthy and hydrated through the dry winter months may leave your skin feeling heavy and greasy as the weather heats up. A few strategic tweaks to your routine can help your skin look glowing and radiant this spring. 

1. Cleanse Gently But Thoroughly

Swapping your creamy, nourishing winter cleanser for a lightweight gel or foam formula is a good first step as temperatures climb. Oilier skin may find a foaming option most effective for whisking away sweat, oil and impurities without stripping the skin. Opt for a gentle cleanser if you have a normal to dry complexion.

Consider adding a cleansing oil or balm as a first cleanse in the evenings, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen during the day. Massage the oil into dry skin to break down waxy or long-wearing formulas, then emulsify with water and rinse clean. Follow with your regular water-based cleanser.

2. Exfoliate for a Fresh Start

Spring is the perfect time to reintroduce this step if you scaled back on exfoliation during the winter to avoid irritating dry, sensitive skin. Buffing away built-up dead skin cells reveals fresher, more radiant skin just in time for the brighter days ahead.

Physical and chemical exfoliation are beneficial options. If you prefer a scrub, look for one with smooth, round particles (rather than jagged pieces that can cause micro-tears) and massage very gently into damp skin no more than twice per week. For chemical exfoliation, start with a low percentage of glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid and use two to three times per week, building up as your skin adjusts.

Don’t forget the skin on your body! A gentle body scrub used once or twice weekly leaves skin smooth and prepped for self-tanner or that first beach day.

3. Protect with SPF

You hopefully didn’t shelve your sunscreen for the winter, as UV rays can cause damage year-round. But as the sun’s rays intensify and you start spending more time outdoors, it’s time to get serious about sun protection.

For everyday wear, choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher in a lightweight formula that layers well under makeup. Reapply every two hours if you’re outside. Bump up to an SPF 50+ water-resistant formula for outdoor activities or beach days and reapply often. And don’t forget often-missed spots like your ears, hairline and lips!

Spring is a great time to check the expiration dates on your sunscreen stash and replace any past its prime. Sunscreen’s effectiveness degrades over time.

4. Lighten Up Your Moisturizer

Rich creams are suitable for dry winter skin but can be too occlusive when humidity and temperatures rise. Swap your current moisturizer for a lightweight lotion or gel formula as the weather warms up. 

Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw moisture into the skin without a heavy feel. Niacinamide is another ingredient to look out for—it balances oil production and minimizes pore size.

If you’re very oily, you may find that a hydrating serum is enough for daytime but don’t ditch hydration altogether. Stripping the skin of moisture can trigger more oil production. Always apply moisturizer to damp skin to lock in hydration.

5. Add Antioxidant Protection

Antioxidants are an important part of any skincare routine, but they’re even more crucial in spring and summer when UV exposure is at its highest. These protective ingredients neutralize the free radicals generated by sun exposure and environmental aggressors, which in turn helps prevent fine lines, uneven skin tone and other signs of premature aging.

Vitamin C is one of the most well-studied antioxidants in skincare. It offers protective benefits and helps brighten skin and even out skin tone over time. Add vitamin C serum into your morning routine under your sunscreen. Green tea extract, resveratrol and vitamin E are other great antioxidants for serums and moisturizers.

6. Listen to Your Skin

As the seasons change, pay close attention to how your skin feels. Does it still feel parched after applying your regular lineup? Perhaps you need a more robust moisturizer or hydrating serum. If you’re getting oilier faster and noticing more breakouts, you may need to cut back on rich creams in favor of lighter hydration. 

Your skin knows best, so don’t be afraid to mix up your routine if something’s not working. Trial and error is part of the process as the seasons change.

7. Schedule a Seasonal Treatment

If you’re looking to kickstart your spring skincare, consider booking an in-office treatment. Options like microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and light chemical peels remove dull surface cells and leave skin refreshed and radiant without downtime.

For a more intensive treatment, non-ablative laser resurfacing stimulates collagen production deep within the skin to treat fine lines, uneven texture and pigmentation. As redness subsides, you’ll need a few days of social downtime after a laser treatment.

8. Spring Clean Your Stash

Use the changing of the seasons as an opportunity to declutter your skincare collection. Toss all products past their expiration date or just aren’t giving you results. Streamline your routine to the essentials and make space for a few new products to round out your warm-weather regimen.

Be sure to sanitize your makeup bag and tools regularly—spring cleaning isn’t just for skincare products! Wash brushes and sponges weekly with a gentle cleanser, and use a disinfecting spray on powder compacts, lipstick bullets and pencil sharpeners.

With a few easy tweaks, your skincare routine will be ready for all the sunshine and warmth spring has in store. Focus on protecting your skin from the sun and environmental damage and choose lightweight hydration that won’t weigh you down as temperatures climb. Listen to your skin and adjust as needed—it’s all about keeping your unique complexion healthy, balanced and radiant through the seasonal shift.

Ready to Get Your Glow On This Spring?

 
Visit Physicians Laser for a complimentary skincare consultation and personalized treatment plan. Our experienced dermatologists and estheticians will create a customized regimen to target your unique concerns and help you achieve your best skin ever. 

Your radiant, healthy complexion awaits at Physicians Laser. Call (916) 625-9131 or visit here to schedule now. Spring into beautiful skin with us!