Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this seasonal beauty feature with our recommended 7 Skincare Switches for Spring by Parisian Columnist, Hannah Rees.
Spring can be a complicated season for the skin as you have to deal with allergies, harsher sunlight and unpredictable weather in general. And while you should always try to adapt the products you use on your skin to the changing weather, this is especially true during this transitional time of year. So with this in mind, here are some tips for adapting your skincare routine for spring.
7 Skincare Switches for Spring
1. Replace your heavy cleanser with a lighter one.
If you’re already dealing with problems such as oily skin, clogged pores or even very sensitive and reactive skin, you’ll find that spring can make all these problems worse because of the high humidity. Your first instinct may be to use more or even harsher products on your skin to deal with these issues as quickly as possible, but in fact what you want to do is the opposite and look for lighter, gentler products.
As always, it’s important to start at the very beginning and tackle the first step of your skincare routine, which is (or should be) cleansing.
If you don’t use a cleanser or don’t even know what it’s for, its role is to remove make-up, excess oil, impurities or even pollution and bacteria from your skin. But you also need to make sure it doesn’t strip your skin of its natural moisture.
So what you want to do is swap your heavy winter cleanser for a lighter one. Cream cleansers are particularly effective because they’re very gentle and suitable for all skin types.
2. Exfoliate your skin, but do it gently and less often.
Exfoliation is a key step in any skincare routine and involves removing the layer of dead skin cells to make room for new ones, and this in turn, improves your skin’s texture and gives you a healthy glow.
In winter, with the sun hiding behind the clouds, you may have exfoliated up to four times a week to maintain that healthy glow. But in spring, with the change in weather, your skin is more exposed to the sun’s harmful rays, so you need to reduce exfoliation to just twice a week to protect your new skin cells.
Another thing to keep in mind is to skip manual exfoliation or at least be very gentle. It may feel good to scrub all the dead cells off your face, but if you’re too rough, you can create micro-tears in your skin’s protective layer, which can then expose it to bacteria (and skin is supposed to keep moisture in and irritants out, so you wouldn’t be helping it).
Instead, you could consider using chemical exfoliants like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). With these products, there’s no rubbing and they work deeper than ordinary scrubs.
Have a look at the video below for an overview of the different ways to exfoliate.
3. Wear SPF daily.
We’re going to talk about the sun again, because spring is when it (hopefully) makes its comeback. But more sun means more harmful rays, so you need to be prepared and switch to a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin.
This is especially true if you plan to spend a lot of time outside enjoying the sun.
Now that we know sunscreen is essential, how do you find the right one for you? The first thing you need to look for is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. If you have an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time in the water, choose one that’s water-resistant and don’t forget to reapply often (every two hours!).
Finally, if you have oily or combination skin, choose a lightweight formula that won’t clog pores.
4. Switch to a lighter moisturizer.
With spring’s higher humidity levels, you may be tempted to skip the moisturizer altogether. But a good moisturizer acts as a protective barrier for your skin, shielding it from environmental damage while retaining moisture.
So instead of ditching it altogether, replace your thick winter moisturizer with a lighter, oil-free cream that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. If you want something even lighter, you can opt for a hydrating serum.
You could also consider using a serum or moisturizer that incorporates antioxidants to bolster your skin’s defense against environmental stressors. Antioxidants are your allies in protecting your skin from damage caused by UV rays and pollution. For those looking for skincare products with natural ingredients, opting for a natural face moisturizer can be an excellent choice. These moisturizers often contain botanicals and essential oils that provide hydration without the use of synthetic chemicals, making them perfect for sensitive skin.
Vitamin C is a popular choice that not only protects against environmental aggressors but also boosts your complexion and promotes an even skin tone. Incorporating a Vitamin C serum or cream into your morning routine can provide a protective shield for your skin throughout the day.
5. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
It’s true what they say, healthy skin starts on the inside. With that in mind, make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated (it’s the largest organ in your body!) and flush out toxins. And it’s not just good for your skin, it’s also good for your overall health, especially in spring and summer when you sweat more.
If you find it hard to remember to drink water throughout the day, you can also make sure you stay hydrated by eating more water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon and green vegetables, or try a delicious hydrating smoothie.
6. Be mindful of allergies and be prepared.
When the sun comes out and the flowers bloom, it’s also the time when allergies reappear, and these can be very hard on your skin, especially if it’s already sensitive.
One thing you can do to help your skin is to look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products to minimise irritation. You can also use a soothing facial mist with ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile to calm irritated skin and whatever you do, try not to scratch your itchy skin, as this will only aggravate your condition and could even lead to inflammation and infection.
If it’s really unbearable, you could consider using an antihistamine cream for relief.
7. Go lighter on the makeup.
Make-up is great fun and should be enjoyed. But in spring, it might be a good idea to let your skin breathe a little as it adapts to the warmer weather and higher humidity levels.
You could replace the heavy foundation you used in winter with a lighter, more breathable foundation or even a tinted moisturiser. And if you’re set on using makeup, just make sure you cleanse well every night.
Finish with a hydrating setting spray to keep your skin cool and to ensure your makeup stays in place throughout the day.
The multi-tasking MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Water Mist is not only good for prepping and hydrating the skin but is also the perfect product for fixing make-up and keeping your makeup looking fresh for up to 12 hours.
Final Thoughts on 7 Skincare Switches for Spring
Adapting your skincare routine for spring means above all protecting your skin from increased exposure to the sun. So make sure you apply sunscreen and follow the rest of the Skincare Switches above to make the transition to the warmer months feeling and looking your best.
I hope you found this feature about our recommended 7 Skincare Switches for Spring useful and don’t forget to browse some more of our beauty features
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Article By Hannah Rees
Hannah Rees is a writer based in Paris. She currently divides her time between completing her second novel, writing songs on her guitar and working as a fashion designer for private clients. She has a strong fashion background, having studied fashion design in Paris, and counts Prada, Lemaire, House of Marlow, Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney among her influences. She loves discovering the world and dreams of going to Iceland.
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Great tips.. never thought about exfoliating less. Thanks.
I’m glad you like the tips, Hena. Exfoliating is so important but it can dry out the skin if we do it too often or are too rough.