As the chill of winter fades away and the world around us begins to bloom with new life, there’s no better time to rejuvenate the skin and lighten up the skin regime.
Spring has officially sprung, and summer is well on its way. The breezy air may be pleasant, but you should be careful of the skincare products you use for your skin during spring.
Spring brings a sense of renewal and the opportunity to rejuvenate your skincare approach.
Transitioning from the cold, dry winter months means your skin will face new environmental factors, such as increased humidity and more potent UV rays.
Spring is the time when you get to lighten up and amp up your skincare regimen. It is time to give your skin some love and replenish it after months of itchiness and dryness.
Some small changes in your skincare routine will keep your skin healthy, glowing and radiant without any breakouts or dullness.
Adapting your skincare routine is crucial to addressing these changes effectively.
Opt for lightweight moisturisers
Moisturising is essential if you want healthy, glowing skin.
Hydration is essential and you should switch up your moisturiser according to the seasons. As the temperature rises, heavy winter creams can feel too rich and may clog pores. So, choosing a lightweight moisturiser with elements like hyaluronic acid and glycerine is advised.
As the weather warms up, so can our skin’s oil production. We tend to sweat more during the spring season. A light non-comedogenic lotion will help keep pores clear to avoid overloading.
Apply a creamy moisturiser that will immediately soothe your skin. You could also opt for a dry oil or plant-based oil such as shea butter, sweet almond oil or argan oil.
Make sure you moisturise morning and night. In the morning, apply a light formula that also contains sunscreen. And at night, treat your skin to a richer texture that suits its needs.
Hydrate
Hydrating and rehydrating the skin is crucial for maintaining skin health, especially in spring when the weather can be unpredictable.
Carry a water bottle with you whenever possible and take regular water breaks, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Water with electrolytes can help hydrate/rehydrate you quickly and effectively — and taste great at the same time!
Proper hydration begins with understanding how much water you should consume each day. Drink 8-10 glasses of plain water daily, besides soups, juices and smoothies.
Smoothies can be extremely hydrating because you get the water naturally from the fruits and vegetables in the smoothie.
Adding high-water-content snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables to your daily diet helps maintain proper hydration levels. Watermelon, cucumber and oranges are excellent hydrating snacks. Juices can be a great source of hydration. When picking out a juice, look for no-sugar juices that are paired with nutrients for hydration, like sodium and electrolytes.
Apply Retinol at night
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that’s regularly available over the counter and typically contains a lower concentration of the active ingredient.
The sun’s intensity is less in spring than in summer. Starting retinol in spring allows your skin to acclimate to the ingredients and minimises the risk of sunburn.
Protect your face from brighter, longer days by using Retinol products near bedtime.
Retinol is typically applied to the skin topically and can come in the form of gels, lotions, serums and more. If you are new to Vitamin A and experiencing dryness, use it every other night initially and slowly increase the usage to allow your skin to build up a tolerance.
When using a retinol serum for the first time, start with a low percentage and work your way up steadily. The same is true for those with darker skin tones or skin sensitivities. As you monitor your skin’s reaction and tolerance, you may be able to increase the strength.
Retinol can strengthen your skin’s natural defences and inspire visibly rejuvenated skin. It can be used on all skin types: dry, oily, and combination skin. Apart from its protecting abilities, it’s beneficial for visibly uneven skin tone, clogged and enlarged pores, and ageing skin.
By incorporating retinol into your spring skincare routine, you are prepping your skin for the sun-exposed days of summer. It helps in achieving a smoother and more even complexion, making your sunscreen and makeup application easier and more effective.
Incorporate Antioxidants
As we move from winter to spring, it means more exposure to UV light, pollution and free radical damage.
Spring presents an ideal opportunity to rejuvenate your eating habits by prioritising nutrient-rich foods that can enhance your overall health and wellness.
From juicy strawberries and sweet cherries to tangy kiwis and refreshing citrus fruits, spring brings an array of colourful fruits to enjoy. These fruits are delicious and rich in Vitamin C, fibre and other essential nutrients. Snack on them fresh, blend them into smoothies, or add them to salads for a burst of flavours and nutrition.
Superfoods such as Kale, asparagus, green onions, pepitas, avocados, strawberries and radishes make excellent additions to green salads.
Eat the ‘Rainbow’. Reds, oranges, purples and pinks and greens. They can add flavour, texture and a nutritional boost to your meals, making a great, leisurely lunch.
Superfoods such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, bananas, pineapple, papaya, avocado, beets, kale and spinach can be blended into smoothies for a quick and easy breakfast. Try adding them to your favourite smoothie recipe for a nutrient-dense boost.
Roasting vegetables such as asparagus and radishes can bring out their natural sweetness and add depth of flavour to your meals. Try roasting them with a bit of olive oil and seasonings for a delicious and healthy side dish.
Antioxidants like Vitamin C protect against environmental aggressors, such as pollution and UV radiation, that are more prevalent in spring. They also help in brightening the complexion and evening out skin tone.
Fresh herbs like mint, chamomile leaf and rosemary are abundant in spring and can be incorporated into your skincare routine for their antioxidant properties. These herbs help protect the skin from environmental damage, soothe irritation, and promote a clear, healthy complexion.
Try picking some fresh and making tea. Let it cool and apply to your skin after cleansing or soak some cotton pads and apply it as an eye mask.
Treat Seasonal Allergies
Runny nose, itchy eyes, brain-rattling sneezes — must be spring!
Spring is beautiful, but it is also a key time of the year for seasonal allergies. During spring, certain trees, grasses, plants and fungi begin releasing pollen into the air to fertilise other plants. When people inhale this pollen, they send the body’s defences haywire.
Pollen count is particularly high on breezy days when the wind picks up these sneeze-inducing grains and carries them through the air. Rainy days, on the other hand, wash away the allergens. Warm days increase plant growth and fertilisation, whereas rainy days dampen the spread of pollen.
With climate change, spring pollination has gotten worse in the last few years. As the seasons get hotter, we’re seeing more pollen, longer and more intense pollination seasons. This seems to be a worldwide trend.
Spring allergies can cause irritation, redness and inflammation. You can take quercetin, which is found abundantly in various fruits and vegetables. Include quercetin-rich foods into your diet—especially apples, honey, raspberries, onions, red grapes, cherries, citrus fruits, and green leafy vegetables.
Try HydraFacial
You can be doing everything right in your skin care routine, yet your skin is still lacking that springtime glow we all want. The Hydrafacial is a great way to freshen your appearance, hydrate the skin, remove impurities from your pores, and fight off early signs of ageing.
A HydraFacial is one of the most popular non-invasive skin treatments that uses special devices to cleanse and hydrate your skin. It usually uses HydraPeel Tip, a pen-like device with patented technology for cleansing, exfoliating, extracting and hydrating the skin with serums to get rid of the skin’s dead skin cells, creating an instant “wow factor” in terms of brightening and firming skin. This magical painless treatment tackles everything from dehydration to discoloration, ageing to acne, and uneven skin texture.
The treatment starts with loosening and opening the pores and then prepping the skin using a mix of glycolic acid, salicylic acid and several botanical ingredients for better cleansing.
Once the pores are open enough, the professional uses vacuum-powered extraction equipment that gets rid of the dirt and oils clogged inside the pores. It is a non-invasive procedure and is practically painless.
Banner Image by Isabella Her: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-enjoying-spring-blossom-outdoors-30875352/
