Springtime Skincare

Who’s ready for springtime? I know here in the Northeast we have all had enough of the snow, gray skies, and cold weather.  It’s time for spring.  Personally, I love the change of seasons – just when I get really tired of the weather being really hot or cold or whatever, it’s time for a change.  When the warmer temps and greenery return in the Spring I feel such a great appreciation for it.  For me it is a time  to make some changes in my own life to reflect the fresh season.   I toss out what is not working and try on some new ideas.

During this time of spring renewal we put away the dark colors and heavy clothing and look for lighter brighter pieces. This is also a good time to lighten up our beauty routines too. During the chilly winter months we typically use heavier moisturizers and creamy cleansers, attempting to retain precious moisture and protect our skin from the wind and cold.   That’s not always needed during Spring and Summer, which is why it is the perfect time to tweak  your beauty regimen.  Here are some changes to consider:

• I suggest moving to a lighter moisturizer. With the shift to higher temperatures and humidity in the air our skin might be more oily and less dry. To avoid clogging your pores you might want to move from a shea butter based moisturizer to a hyaluronic acid based product.
• Add some extra exfoliation to reveal your best skin. Exfoliation is great for sloughing off dead skin cells, preventing breakouts from pores clogged with sweat, oils and dirt, and allowing for needed nutrients to penetrate the skin. In the springtime I usually increase my weekly deep exfoliation treatment to 2x per week.  I opt for enzymatic exfoliation via bromelain and papain – two superstar fruit exfoliators.
• Use an antioxidant-rich serum every morning. When spending more time out in the sun, where the skin will be hit with UV radiation and exposed to more airborne pollutants, it’s a good idea to use antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals before they can cause damage. Personally I feel that every skin type needs a daily application of vitamin C,  and if you add in some other potent antioxidants like green tea and fruit stem cells you ensure that your fun in the sun will not result in damage to your skin.
• Lastly, and probably most importantly, sunscreen must be applied to the face and neck every day. Yes, we all need our daily dose of vitamin D, but I suggest you let that unprotected exposure be on your body, not your face. A mineral sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 should be applied every single morning – rain or shine and reapplied if you are going to be outdoors for long periods of time, or in the water

Spring is a happy time of year and a perfect time to take a fresh look at your beauty regimen. If you would like some personalized recommendations based on your skin and lifestyle, please comment below and we can talk about a good program for YOU!