8 Smart Skin Care Habits to Start in Spring

Spring clean your cosmetics

When in doubt, toss it out. There are no FDA regulations for skin-care product expiration dates, but it is important to be diligent about swapping out products regularly (because they do have a shelf life). Go through your cosmetics, products, and sunscreens, and toss the things that have been around a little too long. Remember this rule of thumb: Anything you apply near the lips or eyes should be tossed out after a year. Also, throw your dingy makeup bag in the washer. If it can’t be laundered, clean with antibacterial cleanser or replace it with a new one.

 

Swap your cleanser

As you bid farewell to cold weather, introduce stronger cleansers into your skin routine. During the winter creamy or hydrating cleansers which leave a residue of fats and lipids on the skin which help repair it, are typically the best. However, in the spring switch to a normal cleanser because the skin is no longer compromised. Keep the three categories of cleansers in mind: creamy, foaming, and normal (non-soap, pH-balanced cleanser). Opt for normal cleanser once the weather warms up, unless your skin is especially oily, in which case a foaming cleanser can help remove extra oils.

 

Exfoliate more

Just like you clean up your winter wardrobe, clean up your winter skin. Bring back its glow by exfoliating away that dull winter layer that cold winter air and dry indoor heat left behind. In the winter, when your skin is drier and more sensitive, so it’s best to exfoliate every few weeks. In the spring, exfoliation removes old layers of skin. Most skin types can increase exfoliation to once or twice a week. If you notice dryness, redness, or sensitivity, decrease how often you exfoliate or ask your skin care professional which exfoliation method might work best for you.

 

Trade in cream for lotion

Moisturizer is crucial to any skin-care routine, but using heavy creams in the spring can actually cause annoying breakouts if they aren’t needed. Heavy creams have lipids that stick to the skin and repair that dry winter skin. In the spring, when your skin barrier is healthy, think about switching to a lighter formulation such as a hydrating serum, lotion or hydrating gel.

 

Go to a pro for a peel

For deeper renewal of the skin, see an aesthetician for a seasonal chemical peel. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, eventually causing the outer layer to peel off. The new layer of skin underneath is typically smoother, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and brown spots are lightened. Talk to your aesthetician to see what type of peel is best for your skin type.

 

Be more diligent about sunscreen

Most dermatologists apply sunscreen every morning, all year long. However, if you’re not in the habit, springtime is the best time to start. When spring arrives, we all have cabin fever and spend more time outside than we did in the winter. The most important thing is to make sure you use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy. Apply every morning, and reapply every two hours. If you get wet, apply every hour. Using makeup that has SPF protection may not be enough. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is what you want to use daily. If you’re taking a spring break vacation, make sure you lather up with sunscreen when you’re on the beach or even if you’re just sitting next to a window—say, in a car during a road trip.

 

Go shopping

A fun way to protect your skin: Hit the mall. Try to find some nice, fun hats and get in the habit of wearing one every time you go outside. Look for a wide-brimmed hat, which protects the face and scalp from sun damage better than, say, a baseball cap. If you know you’ll be exercising outside and sweating, look for fun, fashionable, UV-protected clothing. Sun protection on clothing is measured by UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor)—the higher, the better. A fabric with UPF of 50 will allow only 1/50, or 2 percent, of the sun’s UV rays to pass through. To compare, a white T-shirt has an average UPF of 7.

 

Stay ahead of allergies

Suddenly have puffy bags under your eyes? You didn’t age overnight. When people have allergies to pollen or any other environmental allergen, it can create redness and inflammation underneath the eye. When that happens, it makes under-eye bags larger and wrinkles around the eye more pronounced. If you’re prone to allergies, your doctor may recommend preventative practices. Taking an antihistamine, for example, could help avoid flare-ups and reduce some side effects. Also, talk to your skin care professional about eye creams that can help reduce dark circles and puffiness or an antioxidant serum that may help reduce inflammation and calm redness.