Winter’s unique conditions can contribute to dry, cracked skin. And after spending months bundled up outdoors, or indoors with the heater on, spring can begin to feel like a light at the end of the tunnel.
Come spring, it’s easy to get excited about soaking up the sun, but it’s important to remember that as the seasons change from winter to spring, your skin might reveal a new list of skincare demands in order to stay healthy. Warmer air and more humidity can deliver tough blows to your skin health, so it’s best to be prepared with a spring skincare routine to match. Let’s take a look at some seasonal skincare tips and the best way to transition your routine from winter to spring.
Winter skincare routine vs. spring skincare routine
Winter and spring each carry unique challenges for your skin. If your routine isn’t properly prepared for winter, you may find yourself with dry skin going into spring.
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Winter skin care: Preventing dry skin
Chilly weather can zap your skin of moisture in multiple ways – wind and rain can remove the natural, hydrating oil from your skin, heaters in your office and home can reduce moisture in the air and in your skin, hot showers used to counter the cold can also strip essential moisture from your skin… the list goes on. Winter skincare routines should focus on maintaining your skin’s protective moisture barrier in defense of these factors.
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Spring skin care: Preventing damaged skin
Now that the sun is out, you’ll probably spend more time outside. Protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays by layering SPF 30 or greater on top of your moisturizer. Finally, exfoliate! Exfoliation can help remove the layers of dry, cracked skin the winter conditions left behind.
Transitioning your skincare routine from winter to spring
You should slowly adjust your skincare routine as the weather heats up. And of course, proactiv’s acne treatment systems have you covered! Here are a few points to focus on as you adjust:
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Step 1: Adjust the amount of moisturizer you use.
In spring, you may be able to gradually reduce the amount of moisturizer you apply. If you don’t let your skin breathe, spring heat can cause sweat and excess moisturizer to clog your pores, leading to the formation of acne. The Complexion Perfecting Hydrator in the Proactiv+® Acne Treatment System is dermatologist developed and does not clog your pores. Plus, it only requires a coin-sized amount.
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Step 2: Exfoliate.
Exfoliation is great at sloughing off your dry winter skin to reveal your freshest face. However, over-exfoliating can leave your skin irritated and even more rough. Try the gentle Skin Smoothing Exfoliator from the Proactiv+® Acne Treatment System.
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Step 3: Get as much H2O as possible.
Keeping your body hydrated can help your skin retain adequate moisture. This is especially important in the spring when hot temperatures can cause you to sweat out more water than you intake. Try starting your day with a glass of water and keep a full water bottle with you wherever you go.
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Step 4: Exercise.
Regular exercise encourages blood flow, which carries vital nutrients throughout your body and helps remove toxins through your largest organ, your skin. When spring comes, more people begin to move their workouts outdoors. Just make sure you’re wearing sunscreen (SPF 30 or greater) and that you’re cleansing your face after your workout so sweat and bacteria don’t build up on your skin.
The bottom line
As the weather warms up, pay attention to your skin so your skincare routine responds well to the unique seasonal challenges. Just remember to make any changes in your skincare routine gradually so your skin has time to properly acclimate to the adjustments.
