Spring is just days away, and it’s time to adjust your skincare routine. Today, we’ll discuss a few changes you can make in your skincare routine and lifestyle as we approach warmer weather.
Visit Your Pharmacist
Spring has many seasonal allergies for those of us who struggle with allergies. Typical symptoms could be sneezing, blocked nose, watery itchy eyes and eczema flare-ups. In some people, it might be skin that is suddenly reactive and sensitive.
Wiping your nose frequently may lead to sensitive chafed skin around your nose, wiping or rubbing your eyes constantly will lead to dark circles and reactive sensitive skin will not equal that beautiful glow you're looking for. It may lead to an uneven skin tone instead.
Be sure to visit your pharmacist to get your favourite antihistamine so that allergies do not get in the way of glowing, even-toned skin
Spring Clean
Spring clean your skincare product cupboard. Make sure you check all the labels of your skincare products to make sure that they haven't expired. Most products will have a use-by date at the bottom of the packaging or they'll have a label at the back showing you how long they'll keep after opening
Using expired or rancid products will will to skin sensitivity and inflammation, which will lead to an uneven skin tone.
Sunscreen
With the warmer weather comes a lot of outdoor activities. If you were not consistent with sunscreen in winter, it's time to become more consistent with daily application.
The sun will damage your skin and lead to premature ageing and pigmentation. So be sure to apply your sunscreen every day, even if you are indoors. The sun rays enter rooms through windows and are much stronger in summer, apply your sunscreen every two hours, especially if you're going to be outdoors for long periods of time
Serums
It's time to switch to lighter serums as the weather becomes warmer. You might start finding that your oil-based serum is too heavy as the weather improves, so switch from an oil-based serum to a water-based serum in spring for optimum hydration.
Serums containing hyaluronic acid will be a great idea.
Adding a Vitamin C serum to your routine, especially during the day is a great idea. Not only is it great for the treatment & prevention of pigmentation, but it's also a powerful antioxidant which will protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays.
Retinol
If you were using a home chemical peel or going for professional peels in winter, you may want to stop doing peels as the weather becomes warmer, especially if you know you're not good with reapplying your sunscreen every two hours and wearing hats when you're outside.
A good alternative is to use retinol in the evenings. Retinol is a powerful ingredient that not only combats pigmentation, it also helps with acne and ageing. Start introducing retinol to your nighttime routine, make sure you're strict with sunscreen during the day as retinol makes the skin photosensitive.
Consult with a skincare professional before you start using retinol if you've never used it before as your skin may not be ready for it and it can clash with other skincare ingredients. It also needs to be introduced slowly into the skin and may not be suitable for every skin type
Stay Hydrated
Warmer weather and days full of outdoor activities equals dehydration so make sure you're drinking enough water to keep your body and skin hydrated.
Skin also loses a lot of water to the environment via sweating and trans epidermal water loss so hydrating serums and masks become essential as we approach spring.
A collagen supplement will help too as we lose 1% collagen each year after the age of 30. Collagen will not only help improve pigmentation and ageing, it will also improve skin hydration levels.
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