How to get your winter skin ready for spring
AS much as you might like to, it just doesn’t make sense to repeat the same skincare routine every day.
Not only will your skin have different needs on any given day, but the season has a huge effect. Say the weather is hot and sticky and your face feels sweaty – piling on your heavy winter moisturiser would be a bit silly, wouldn’t it?
As we move from the cold winter weather into the spring and summer months, now is the perfect time to think about how best to switch up your routine to give your skin the most love possible.
“In winter, the skin gets dry, pale and dull due to cold and wind. The spring warmth and sunshine means your skin will have different needs,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Anton Alexandroff. While this doesn’t mean you should skip your routine entirely, it does mean it’s worthwhile focusing on different things.
Antioxidants are key to protecting your skin. These are the ingredients which reduce the impact of free radicals – which damage skin cells – and help give you a brighter, bouncier complexion. A skincare saviour all year round, they’re even more useful during this time of year.
“The skin can experience sensitivity and irritation during springtime, due to the spike in allergens,” explains Murad. “Incorporating antioxidants into your routine will boost your skin’s ability to protect itself and combat free radicals.”
The easiest way to treat your skin to more antioxidants is to look for products which include vitamin C. This ingredient “helps protect skin cells against environmental damage, and when used in intense quantities, helps build collagen, brighten skin and neutralise toxins”, says Murad. on gentle chemical exfoliation, to remove dead skin build up – much like a spring clean for your skin.”
Gently removing the layers of dead skin will really brighten your complexion and help smooth out any lines. It will also make your skin more readily able to absorb any products you choose to apply.
Alongside exfoliation, Alexandroff recommends using retinol and/or hyaluronic acid serums and creams to tighten your skin up and get ready for summer. Retinols are another way of sluicing off the dead skin cells, and both of these ingredients will help give you a glow – something we’re all in need of after winter.