Skincare Spring Cleaning
As the seasons change, so should your skincare routine and habits. What may have felt incredible on your skin in the winter, tends to not feel so hot in the spring and summer months. Let's set the tone for spring and summer by doing some "spring cleaning" on and for our skin.
TRANSITIONING FROM WINTER TO SPRING & SUMMER
We spend the winter months combating the cold, windy weather by layering on thick and soothing products. By the end of the season, our skin can still look and feel dry, dull, itchy, and sensitive. When transitioning into more humid and sunny weather, it’s important to repair our skin’s “winter damage” first, then start pivoting to more summer-friendly products—as the products that felt good on our skin in the winter may not have the same effect in the heat. Changes in sun exposure, outdoor activity, and humidity are all factors that usually call for a new skincare routine.
Skincare in the spring and summer, ideally after you’ve treated your “winter skin,” is all about lighter products, sun protection, and anti-aging.
SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR SKIN
A step in this seasonal transition that is incredibly important, and often over-looked, is spring cleaning for your skin. By spring clean we mean throwing out expired skincare products (yes, skincare expires), introducing spring and summer friendly skincare habits, washing your makeup brushes, washing your pillow cases, swapping out your makeup brushes and maybe even your washcloths. Old, dirty, and expired products and applicators can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold—resulting in clogged pores and irritated skin.
Not sure if your skincare products have expired? Usually skincare products are good for a year max, so if that cleanser has been hanging out in your bathroom since before COVID started, it’s probably time to toss it. Other indicators are if the smell and consistency is off or different from when you first bought it. Read on to learn some more of our tips and tricks for the ultimate spring and summer skincare.
SPRING/SUMMER SKINCARE TIPS
SPF - Applying SPF to your skin should be a year-round priority. However, with increased outdoor activity and sun exposure, layering a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30 on your face and body is a *MUST*. Make sure there’s either SPF in your moisturizer/makeup or you’re applying a sunscreen after your moisturizer.
Exfoliate - You’ll definitely want to be exfoliating to rejuvenate your “winter skin” and keep a luminous glow all summer. Our skin is able to tolerate acids and strong active ingredients better in the warmer seasons, making spring a perfect and very pivotable time for healing/prepping your skin with exfoliation. While both chemical and physical exfoliation can be incorporated into your spring skincare routine, we recommend using a chemical peel as they quickly reveal smooth and fresher-looking skin and trigger collagen production.
Lighter Products - Thicker and heavier products may feel incredible on our skin in the winter, but it can have the opposite effect in the spring and summer. A heavy moisturizer mixed with heat and humidity can lead to sticky and greasy skin and can end up clogged your pores. Additionally, our skin doesn’t necessarily need heavier products in the warmer months, as our skin tends to hold more water in the spring and summer. We recommend using VIVANT’S Mandelic Acid to hydrate your skin!
Anti-Aging - With more sun exposure, you run a higher risk of getting fine lines and pigmentation. To combat this, we recommend adding antioxidants into your spring and summer skin routine. Start introducing topical antioxidant serums like vitamin C, AHA, and retinol. Eating more foods that are high in antioxidants, like berries and kale, can help too!
Hydration - It’s easier to get dehydrated in the spring and summer months, as you’re more likely to be sweating more. Be sure to drink lots of water. Your skin will thank you!