New season, new you: get ready to spring into your new skincare routine
Spring is almost here (finally!) and it’s time to shed your warm, winter layers, dial the heating back a notch, step outside to enjoy the longer days, and of course, switch-up your skincare routine.
Unless you suffer from very dry skin, odds are the rich, thick moisturiser you were using to tackle the biting winter temperatures might be too heavy to use during spring.
That’s why we’ve written this guide to build a new spring skincare routine just for you - but remember, you know your skin better than anyone, so if your skin is dehydrated, it’s fine to dig out your retired moisturiser.
It’s a new season and a new you, so let’s get started.
Why you should change your skincare routine in spring
When spring arrives, many things change: there are leaves on the trees and that pesky pollen returns.
But spring also brings a change in the humidity, temperature, strength of the sun and more outdoor activity, prompting us to make a change in our skincare routine, too.
Your spring skincare routine should be filled with lightweight products that contain a high SPF in addition to anti-ageing properties to protect you against the higher UV levels.
So, without further ado, let’s delve into some of our top picks.
Our top picks
Navigating the world of skincare can be daunting, especially if you’ve got sensitive or acne-prone skin.
That’s why we’ll make it as clear as possible if we think a product isn’t suitable for your skin type to prevent any irritation or a surge in breakouts.
Facial skincare
It’s likely that you’ll be spending more time outdoors once spring arrives, basking in the longer days and comfortable temperatures.
So it’s vital that you choose facial skincare that’s wearable, won’t cause excess oil, and offers you great protection against the elements.
Cleansers
Starting off with the cleanser recommendations is CeraVe, a gentle yet effective cult classic.
If you’ve got normal, combination or oily skin, we’d recommend CeraVe Facial Foaming Cleanser. This lightweight, hydrating formula contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help restore the skin's natural protective barrier, attract hydration and soothe your skin.
Gel-based, this cleanser refreshes the skin without stripping it of essential oils and helps to remove excess oil, dirt and makeup whilst being gentle on your skin.
All of the CeraVe range is fragrance-free, allergy-tested and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t block your pores) so it’s suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin, too.
If your skin remains on the drier side even when winter washes away, try CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It keeps your thirsty, dry skin hydrated with its patented MVE® delivery technology to provide up to 24-hours of moisture, perfect for dry skin that needs long-lasting care.
During winter, we can get a build-up of unsightly dry skin, so it’s important to exfoliate when spring arrives to pave the way for fresh, new skin!
Many exfoliants can be harsh on the skin and strip it of essential oils, but not CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser. This product isn’t just an effective cleanser, but it also acts as a gentle exfoliant, too.
It’s perfect for dry or sensitive skin by smoothing its rough, bumpy texture without compromising your skin’s natural protective barrier. It also hydrates your skin, using ceramides to lock in moisture and leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Moisturisers
Investing in a good moisturiser is essential to maintaining your skin’s hydration, helping to reverse the signs of ageing, and protecting your skin against the sun’s harmful rays.
Our first pick combines a lightweight moisturiser, SPF and a hint of makeup to give you a subtle glow. Olay Complete BB Cream SPF 15 Moisturiser contains niacinamide, vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 to give you beautiful, healthy-looking skin, while protecting it in the process.
Suitable for all skin types (especially if your skin is more on the oilier side), Olay Total Effects Whip Moisturiser contains vitamin C and vitamin E in a weightless formula to achieve hydrated, nourished and breathable skin.
This moisturiser provides SPF 30 protection against the sun’s rays and helps to even skin tone, for protected, glowing and smooth skin. You can even use this product as a primer to achieve a matte finish before makeup application.
We can’t leave the moisturising section without recommending CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion AM SPF 25. If you’ve got normal to dry skin and are looking for a lightweight, gentle yet effective moisturiser that’s suitable for sensitive skin, this is the ideal choice for you - plus with the high protection of SPF 25, what’s not to love?
Body
We’ve covered facial skincare, but we can’t forget body skincare! After all, with the introduction of lighter, shorter clothes, it’s never been more important to give your body the care it needs to look and feel its best.
E45 Daily Cream is a great option for easy, everyday skincare. Designed to lock in moisture and provide long-lasting, deep hydration, this fragrance-free, non-greasy and fast absorbing formula is suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin.
We’d also recommend Aveeno’s unscented, kind-to-skin Daily Moisturising Lotion which is formulated with a Prebiotic Triple Oat Complex to keep skin hydrated, resilient and radiant.
If you’re looking for an airy, lightweight product that won’t block your pores, Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion is the one for you.
This fast-absorbing lotion is clinically proven to provide long-lasting hydration to dry and sensitive skin, and there’s more - this product is 2-in-1 and can be used on the face and the body. You’re saving on your shelf space and a few pennies - we’d say you’ve got a winner.
Feet
Your feet may be making a fleeting appearance now that we’ve said goodbye to winter (we don’t expect you to whip out those sandals just yet) so it’s essential that your feet are in tip-top shape.
Dry, crusty heels are acceptable when they’re hidden away in your boots - but backless shoes? Loafers? We don’t think so.
Keep your feet hydrated with O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet Cream. This fast-working treatment is specially formulated to relieve the dry, hard, rough skin on your feet and helps your feet to retain moisture, leaving them feeling soft and silky smooth.
Try dipping your toes into something new with Footner Exfoliating Socks and prepare to shed layers of hard, dead skin that have built up on your feet. These socks soften the calluses on your feet by loosening the ‘glue’ that holds your cells together to kick start the exfoliation process, leaving you with smooth, healthy feet.
Are you spring ready?
Spring is the time for new beginnings, so get started on rejuvenating your skincare routine today to achieve glowing, hydrated and protected skin.
We hope this guide has got you itching to spring into action with your new routine, but remember - if you’re suffering with extremely dry skin or acne and it’s affecting your daily life, always speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice.
