Spring Skin Care Tips

Spring has arrived, bringing with it warmer weather, longer days and, of course, the desire to do a little spring cleaning. While you're busy cleaning out closets, consider breezing through the cabinet where you keep your skin care products. Not only does the change in season bring about the need for modifications to the skin care routines of some individuals, it also presents an opportunity to get rid of skin care products that are past their prime or no longer useful.

Read on for a short checklist of "must do" items to get your spring skin care routine in order, ensuring your skin is its healthiest and most beautiful all season long.

Purge Old Products

On your list of spring cleaning tasks, review the skin care products in your cabinet, being sure to toss any that are expired, appear dry, have had a change in consistency, color or smell and contains SPF older than one year (SPF loses its effectiveness over time). This simple step ensures you are using only the most effective and safe skin care products.

For more reading on this topic: Skin Care Shelf Life: When to Toss the Products in Your Cabinet

Shed Your Winter Skin

If you aren't a regular exfoliator, spring presents the perfect time to rid yourself of dull winter skin by sloughing off the built-up layer of dry, flaky and dead skin cells. Regardless of the season, the benefits of using a well-formulated glycolic acid exfoliator are well documented and include cellular rejuvenation, unclogging of pores, normalizing skin function (which oftentimes eliminates sensitive skin and breakouts), smoother and softer skin, even complexion, and reduction of fine lines. Overall, exfoliation encourages healthy skin (and, as we know, healthy skin is beautiful skin).

According to licensed esthetician Sabrina Robinson of  Threo Skin, spring is also a great time to schedule a chemical peel before the weather changes further. "As temperatures heat up, your esthetician can't get as aggressive with peels because of the potential for skin damage caused by sun exposure."

For more reading on this topic: How to Exfoliate: Types of exfoliation, benefits, and tips

Lighten Up Your Moisturizer

One of the top spring skin care modifications is to trade in your heavier moisturizers for lighter weight formulations. In warmer months, you might consider opting for oil-free moisturizers that won’t weigh you down in humid weather and that not only go on light and smooth while preserving skin moisture. Those with dry or combination skin who need a little more hydration can look for lightweight cream-based formulations. And don’t be fooled - no matter your skin type, ALL skin needs protection from moisture loss. Skin can be oily and still lack hydration. The warmer spring and summer temperatures can both dehydrate and damage skin.

Our spring and summer picks at Lexli include Simply Hydration, a lightweight cream moisturizer and Daily Moisturizer with Oily Skin, a mattifying, gel-based formulation. For quick hydration throughout the day, try an aloe vera toner like Tone & Balance, which not only hydrates the skin but also helps to reduce redness and skin inflammation. (It's a must in your summer beach bag.)

For more reading on this topic: To Treat Dry or Dehydrated Skin, Start by Understanding TEWL

Be More Vigilant in the Sun

While we certainly hope you've been vigilant about daily sunscreen use year-round, ensuring you apply it regularly during warmer months is an essential skin care step, given the extra sun exposure during spring and summer. While the weather may still feel mild, you may not realize just how strong the sun is and could be at risk for sunburn and sun damage. While it’s most convenient when sunscreen is included in your moisturizer, as it is in Lexli Day Moisturizer with SPF 30, sunscreen can also be applied on top of your moisturizer 30 minutes before going outdoors. And be sure to take extra care when in the sun after exfoliating with a glycolic acid exfoliator. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells (keratin) through exfoliation, your skin is left more at risk of sunburn after just a small amount of sun exposure.

Sabrina Robinson adds, "it's important to follow the directions on your sunscreen product and reapply throughout the day for best results and optimal skin protection." She reminds us that facial sunscreen should also be applied to the neck.

For more reading on this topic: How to Prevent Photoaging, the Main Reason for Premature Skin Aging

Allergy Medicine Could Save Your Skin

Pollen counts are high in spring which triggers allergies in many individuals. While we think of allergies as internal discomfort, they can also cause external damage to the skin. "Those affected by seasonal allergies typically blow their noses excessively, and that can lead to broken capillaries surrounding the nose area," says Sabrina Robinson. "Plus the use of harsh tissues can inflame the skin on the nose." Allergy medicine can help to keep congestion at bay, ultimately saving your skin.