Skin cycling is a big trend these days, and for good reason. Our skin’s needs change with the seasons and even day to day. With the increase in temperature and humidity during springtime, not to mention spending more time outdoors, we need to adjust our skincare routine to keep it protected and looking and feeling good.
Check out these tips (complete with product recommendations) for spring cleaning your routine:
1. Switch to a Lighter Moisturizer.
When the seasons change, so do our skin’s hydration needs. Which means that we’ll most likely need a lighter moisturizer. Our skin tends to hold more water in the spring and summer. Water-based formulas with ingredients like aloe or hyaluronic acid are a better choice than oil-based ones, especially for the acne-prone.
Top Recommended Products:
Counterstart Cocoboost Moisturizer (perfect for normal or sensitive skin types)
Countersun Sheer Defense SPF 25 for face (lightweight, sheer, non-greasy hydration)
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (a hint of color and radiance plus lightweight sun protection)
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion (adapts to skin’s changing moisture needs throughout the day)
Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream (oil-free and hydrates and mattifies for up to 8 hours for oily or combo skin)
2. Add (or Increase) SPF.
As the weather warms up, the UV rays are getting stronger and we need to be more consistent with our sunscreen use. Ideally you’ll apply 1 tsp. of SPF 30-50 on your face and 1 oz. (a shot glass) on your body. Reapply every 80-90 minutes and after sweating or being in the water. Layer up for thorough protection, such as a liquid then a stick, or powder or spray. Check out my blog post on safer sunscreen HERE.
Make sure to check the expiration date on the bottle or tube. Using expired SPF can leave you vulnerable to sunburns and skin damage. The FDA mandates that sunscreen maintain full strength for 3 years from manufacture. If there’s no date on the package, write the date of purchase on it.
Other hints that your SPF might be ineffective include:
- Consistency: If the sunscreen is very watery or chunky, it may be expired.
- Color: If it appears an unusual shade, it’s probably expired.
- Smell: If it smells different than it did when you bought it (or smells weird in general), it may be expired.
Top Recommended Products:
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (sheer, radiant coverage)
Countersun Sheer Defense Face Lotion SPF 25 & Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
Ilia Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 and Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20
Tula Protect + Glow Daily Sunscreen Gel SPF 30 (lightweight with just a hint of shimmer and radiance)
3. Clean Your Makeup Brushes and Sponges!
It doesn’t take long for skin cells, bacteria, yeast, and mold to build up, causing irritation, breakouts, and infections. Ewww! Plus, the product build-up can affect makeup application and transfer face oils to the product itself.
Set a reminder on your phone or in your planner to do this on a regular basis, ideally at least once a week for applicators that touch liquid products and at least 1-2 times a month for all others. Toss makeup sponges after 3-6 months or sooner if signs of wear and tear appear (some sponges, like the famous BeautyBlender, can be recycled through special mail-in programs).
Use lukewarm water and be gentle. I recommend using Elate Cosmetics Brush Cleanser or Beautycounter’s charcoal bar or daily shampoo, or some other gentle soap. Avoid getting water and soap into the handle and base of the brush head so that the glue holding it together doesn’t disintegrate, causing the bristles to come loose and shed. Squeeze out the excess water with a clean towel and dry brushes on their side in their proper shape and to prevent mildew.
4. Toss Expired and Old Products.
Marie Kondo your skincare products and makeup drawer! Check for expiration dates – look for the open jar symbol followed by a number and M. This is how long it lasts after opening. (For future reference, write the date you bought and opened each product with a permanent marker.)
If you’re not sure how old it is, do the smell test – does it smell “off” or not like it used to or should? Also, does it look “off”? Has the texture changed? If in doubt, toss it out! Even when not opened, active ingredients, such as Vitamin C, can decrease in potency and efficacy over time.
Check out these links to see if/where your containers can be recycled:
How to Properly Recycle Your Makeup & Beauty Products (Credo Beauty)
Credit: Real Simple
5. Exfoliate.
Dry winter weather can leave us with dry, itchy, dull, flaky skin come springtime. The best way to rectify this is with removing the top layer of skin to reveal the newer skin underneath (followed by the appropriate moisturizer (see #1 above)). The higher temps and humidity make skin better able to tolerate acids and stronger formulations.
Exfoliants can be physical (like the bamboo particles in Beautycounter’s new Reflect Effect AHA mask) or chemical (like AHAs and BHAs in Bc’s Overnight Resurfacing Peel). But don’t overdo it! Depending on the product, start gradually and use only 1-3 times per week.
Top Recommended Products:
Overnight Resurfacing Peel (AHAs & BHAs: glycolic, malic, and botanically derived lactic acid, plus arginine and essential fatty acids)
Reflect Effect AHA Facial Mask (AHA glycolic acid, 10% phytic acid, and bamboo particles)
Charcoal Mask (salicylic and lactic acids)