As winter draws to a close and warmer spring weather approaches, it's time to adjust your skincare routine. The colder months mean dehydrating central heating inside and chilly air outside, but the upcoming changes in temperature, humidity and sunlight intensity all impact skin health too.
Spring weather is less harsh and drying, which means that your skin may produce more oil and be more prone to breakouts. To combat this, switch from heavy creams to lighter formulas, water-based serums and lightweight lotions, and consider products suitable for combination or oily skin. We should all be wearing SPF year-round, but if you've been lax over winter, introduce a daily broad-spectrum sun cream with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin and prevent premature ageing.
It's also time to up your exfoliation game - skin cells dehydrate and die faster in winter with changing environments and temperatures, so exfoliating twice a week to buff away dry, dead skin cells helps reveal the new, healthy skin underneath.
Here are 7 products I'm using this spring - some are repeat favourites, some are brand new, all are recommended.
Formulated by a Harley Street cosmetic surgeon, 111Skin's vitamin C brightening booster targets pigmentation, age spots and uneven skin tone. The water-based concentrated treatment features a potent dose of vitamin C to supercharge dull, tired skin, and reduce redness and discoloration. I pat onto my skin after cleansing each morning.
I use Dermalogica's hydrating multivitamin mask once a week, which revitalises dry, dehydrated skin and reduces the signs of ageing. It's a rich, nourishing cream with a thick consistency, featuring shea butter, evening primrose oil and peptides to moisturise and strengthen skin's resilience and tone. I really like this product, will be re-buying, and recommend for all skin types.
Dermalogica's skin-brightening exfoliator activates upon contact with water, turning from a powder to a creamy lather to gently exfoliate the skin. The new vegan formula features oat, coconut, a blend of AHAs and BHAs, and is suitable for daily use and all skin types. I add to wet hands in the shower, and use a few times a week.
Dermlogica promises to transform skin in 2 weeks with the new, fast-acting retinol serum. Its high-dose, 3.5% retinoid complex helps reduce wrinkles, pores, dark spots and uneven texture. Retinols can cause temporary redness and sensitivity, so they recommended you start using the serum twice a week, then gradually increase to nightly (and always wear SPF). I'm currently using it sparingly every other night for a couple of weeks now, and it's helped smooth the texture on my cheeks and jawline.
This affordable, gentle, lightweight night cream from Burt's Bees is great for the warmer months. Dermatologically tested, its 98.9% natural ingredients include a soothing blend of aloe, rice extract and cotton extract, and it's suitable for all skin types. I'm almost out of this now, having used it nightly for weeks - I like the idea of layering a soothing night cream after active serums, and will be re-buying.
This is another great lightweight product. Using 9 natural ingredients, including a blend of evening primrose, argan and jojoba oils, Malin + Goetz's recovery treatment oil hydrates, brightens, protects from free radical damage and improves skin tone and elasticity. Malin + Goetz pride themselves on gentle products suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, with natural ingredients and minimal fuss. Plus it all comes in chic, minimalist, unisex packaging. Wears well under makeup, so I use it both day and night.
This 100% natural oil from Elemis harnesses the power of concentrated nutrients to feed your skin for a healthy glow. Packed with 9 antioxidant-rich superfoods, including broccoli seed oil, flaxseed oil and daikon radish, it is easily absorbed, leaves skin looking dewy, and provides a good base for makeup. A little goes a long way - I've just finished this bottle after massaging a couple of drops onto my face and neck most mornings for the past few months.
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