5 CHANGES TO MAKE FOR YOUR SKIN IN SPRING

As we change seasons into Spring, you might notice changes in your skin due to increases in temperature, humidity, and sun exposure. So, what does the change into the warmer months of Spring have in store for your skin?

The change from cooler air to a warmer humid climate can cause skin to sweat and produce more oil. More than likely, you’ll also start to become more active as the weather warms up and the days last longer, meaning you’ll be more prone to sweat breakouts. Sweat and oil tends to clog the pores leading to higher occurrences of breakouts. Furthermore, the environmental changes can also significantly impact you if have skin issues such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, or rosacea.

So how do you keep your skin healthy and clear as we venture into the Spring months? Our skin experts take you through five simple changes you can make for your skin in Spring.

1. ‘SPRING CLEAN’ YOUR SKIN

The combination of increased humidity in the air, along with being more active and prone to sweating can increase your skin’s natural oil production. That’s why it’s essential to wash your face twice per day, even if you’re not active every day. Double cleansing is preferable, so we suggest a first cleanse with Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil to gently dissolve impurities, sunscreen and waterproof make-up; followed by a cleanser specific to your skin type.

To nurture your skin coming out of the winter months, we recommend exfoliating your skin 2 -3 times per week. This should be done throughout the year, but especially after the colder months to remove any build-up of dry, dead skin cells that linger on the surface of your skin.

If you’re oily to combination skin we suggest gently increasing exfoliation to everyday, keeping pores clean and skin free of built-up oil. A cleansing gel is the perfect option. This refreshing daily cleanser includes an exfoliating AHA/BHA complex of mandelic, lactic and salicylic acids, as well as glycerin for deep cleansing and pore refining without any stinging or dryness. Infused with mangosteen and raspberry extracts to provide natural antioxidant protection and increase skin barrier function, O Cosmedics Cleanser thoroughly removes impurities to decongest the skin.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you can still use the O Cosmedics Cleanser 2-3 times a week (starting off slowly) alongside a gentle cleanser such as the Medik8 Gentle Cleanse on alternative days.

As we like to say, “go low and slow” when increasing the use of exfoliating acids. 

If your skin is prone to breakouts and in need of a deeper “spring clean”, then our range of in-clinic chemical peels are an effective treatment option if you’re looking to decongest and revitalise the skin, ready for summer.

2. SWITCH TO LIGHTER FORMULATIONS

Whilst heavier creams are the perfect winter antidote, we recommend switching out any heavier moisturisers for something lighter coming into spring. As the humidity increases, nobody wants to pile on thick moisturisers. You also don’t need such heavy occlusives to keep your skin moisturised. Using lighter, more gel-based formulas with humectants and emollients; and power-packed serums during spring, will keep your skin looking hydrated and firm without clogging it or leaving it feeling greasy.

A skin perfecting peptide complex with three potent actives: 10% niacinamide which calms and soothes redness, blotchy skin, and blemishes, a Crystalide peptide which adds light reflection for a translucent skin effect, and zinc PCA that minimises sebum production and balances skin bacteria to tackle blemishes.

SPF is a must all times of the year, but you may want to switch to a lightweight broad-spectrum SPF formula in the hotter months. Our favourite? The tinted and lightweight mesoprotech melan 130 SPF or the ultra-light and hydrating mesoprotech light water antiaging SPF, both offering 50+ full sun protection for spring.

3. KEEP CALM (AND CARRY ON)

If your skin is sensitive to allergens and flare ups this time of year, give your skin the care it deserves with products designed to nurture sensitive skin. Flushing, sensitivity, and uneven skin texture make it harder to be confident in your skin, but through a personalised treatment plan, our expert skin therapists can prescribe some great skincare for redness-prone and sensitive skin. For example, the O Cosmedics range of products restore the skin’s protective lipid barrier to effectively minimise flushing due to environmental aggravation. Each product is enriched with calming actives, including patented teprenone which makes skin feel more youthful. The appearance of redness is reduced, uneven skin is smoothed, and surface heat and irritation are soothed.

4. GOOD OILS = GOOD SKIN

If you’re prone to psoriasis, eczema, or acne, you can support your skin through the change in season with tweaks to your diet or supplementation to increase your Omega-3 fatty acids. Adding more Omega-3’s into your diet will in turn help produce quality oils in the skin, and can benefit everyone, not just inflamed or blemish prone skin.

Try consuming fish such as salmon and mackerel, olive oil, flaxseed oil and flax seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds and soybeans. Alternatively, you can increase these essential fatty acids by taking a high-quality Omega-3 supplement such as the UltraClean EPA/DHA Plus capsules by BioCeuticals, available in clinic at Beauty Bar Therapy. As you know, your skin health is directly impacted by your gut health, so make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

If you’re looking for professional advice on healing your gut and skin concerns, our therapists work alongside a Nutritional Medicine Practitioner to create a holistic approach to skin health through her nutritional meal plans.

5. SPRING CLEAN YOUR BEAUTY STASH

Spring is the perfect time to not only spring clean your house, but also your makeup and skincare. If you wear makeup, this can be a major contributing factor to breakouts, especially if your products are old. Always check the expiration dates on the packaging. These guidelines indicate when to replace the product after it has been opened. Also, don’t forget to swap out your heavy foundations for lighter products during the spring and summer months if you have an oilier skin type.

In the same sense, if you haven’t done a skincare cull in the last few months, consider springtime your cue to conduct a product clean out. As importantly, make sure you are regularly cleansing makeup sponges, makeup brushes, and applicators as these are breeding grounds for bacteria, leading to breakouts and infections.

If your skin is needing a spring shake up, you can book a 30 minute consultation with one of our expert Skin Therapists for in-depth skin analysis* and advice today.