It's Spring—Here's How to Keep Your Skin From Freaking Out
Spring—like wearing leggings as trousers and Sporty Spice—is highly underrated. Often overlooked and straight-up disregarded for the flashier, beach-worthy summer season, its value is not in its balmy temps or “new year, new you” mantra, but rather as a time for subtle, gradual change. As we cautiously shed our bulky coats for breezy knits, we must also turn our attention to our skin—because, frankly, it’s going to freak out if we don’t. With gradual change comes a need to refresh—but not overhaul—our current skincare routine. With that in mind, we turned to Dr. Kate Forbes, general manager of product and research and development at Aesop, to show us how to transition our skincare to spring as seamlessly as possible. Keep scrolling to read her advice!
Spring is the in-between season that is neither freezing cold or annoyingly hot, which means a few key things need to happen. “In spring, when harsh environmental conditions are reduced, your skin is able to regulate sebum production and water loss,” Forbes explains. “It is likely that your skin will feel less dry during the day, so heavier moisturisers and barrier creams will be less suitable.” Swap out your heavy creams for lightweight hydration that provides nourishment without a heavy feel, like Aesop’s Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator (£45) or Garnier Moisture Bomb Day (£8). If you have oily skin, you might be tempted to skip moisturiser altogether—don’t. Forbes says that even those with oily skin can suffer from dehydration, so opt for a lightweight moisturiser or hydrating serum.
We love our clay masks for drawing out impurities and leaving our skin feeling super clean, but consider another type of mask for the transitional season. “A hydrating treatment masque, like Aesop’s Blue Chamomile Facial Hydrating Masque (£33), is perfectly suited for spring, when you’ll need lightweight products by day and intensive nourishment by night,” Forbes says. We love Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Mask (£28) and Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask (£23).
News flash: Your “gentle” cleanser may not be all that it appears. There’s no better time than spring to reassess your cleanser and look for a few key ingredients, or lack thereof. A sulfate-free, artificial fragrance–free cleanser such as Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (£16) will remove impurities and prep your skin for serums and moisturisers without stripping or irritation. “Use formulation that imparts hydration at every step of your skincare routine to leave your skin clean, smooth, nourished, and supple,” Forbes says.
What goes in your body is just as important as what goes on it—and Forbes says spring is as good a time as any to reassess the other factors on your skin’s health. “Take a moment to assess your diet, water intake, and physical and mental exercise routines,” she says. “Keeping these in balance has a positive impact on the appearance and health of your skin.” Channel Christie Brinkley and start adding more antioxidants to your diet (here are some foods your skin will love) or even a glass of red wine, which Forbes says can work synergistically with antioxidants applied topically to your skin. You don’t have to tell us twice.
How do you update your skincare routine for spring? What are your current favourite skincare products for the season? Tell us below!