The days are getting longer, leaves are starting to bud, and wardrobes become lighter. Spring can bring many changes to your skincare routine as we work to shed off our dry winter skin. Moisturizers can become lighter and sun sensitivity starts becoming a concern again. Make a few simple spring skincare swaps to prioritize your self-care this season.
There are a few areas where you should consider making a few simple spring skincare swaps. Cleanser, serum, moisturizer. I also like to stop retinol this time of year. With the sun becoming more intense I am more switching out these active ingredients.
1. Cleanser
I usually switch to something gentle and hydrating this time of year. I am not using as intense and waterproof of sunscreen yet so I can still use a gentle cleanser. Something calm and soothing is the theme for this season of renewal.
Here are some of my favorites for spring skincare
- Budget: La Roche-Posay Toleriane HydratingGentle Cleanser. This cleanser is great year-round and I love switching to something simple this time of year. Plus this bottle is huge so you can just use it all year.
- Mid-Range: Farmacy Clean Bee cleanser. Smells like flowers and honey. Everything you look forward to with spring. This gentle yet effective cleanser has been one of my favorite new finds.
- Splurge: La Prairie Purifying Cream Cleanser. I have only been lucky enough to try samples of this but if I ever make it big this is what I am using! I wish I could justify spending this much on a cleanser.
2. Serum
Here is where you can have some fun. I usually stop using a retinol serum in mid spring and highly recommend you do too. I love to use serums packed with ingredients for skin repair as you sleep. Mornings get a lighter serum focusing more on plumping fine lines. It’s like a skin care cocktail party 😀
- Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. This is a great simple serum that helps plump up fine lines and make a great base for either makeup or just
- Mid-Range: Glotrition Super beauty serum. This is new to me as well. The packaging is weird with the roller but if you can get past that the serum works quite well. I love this one if I am going to wear makeup
- Splurge: Drunk Elephant C-Firma. I like to start the anti-oxidants early as the days get longer. Vitamin C does like to be alone on the skin so you have to give this 5-10 min to soak in before moisturizer. If you have more money than time this is a great serum.
3. Moisturizer
This is a little more obvious. Most people realize in the spring/summer they need a lighter moisturizer. I like to use rosehip oil all year so you may notice this budget item is a repeat. Or a cream that just feels more soothing for my spring skincare routine.
- Budget: The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. There is a reason people keep coming back to this classic over the centuries. Now, this brand may not smell like roses but the results are very soothing and glowing skin by morning. And for $9.80 who can complain 🙂
- Mid-Range: Biossance – Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer. This is very lightweight and calming. Around here spring is fairly windy so I really enjoy a moisturizer that helps combat the redness from the wind.
- Splurge: Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cream. Can I just say I love this splurge cream? It smells like a rose in the best way possible. Not in a grandmother potpourri kind of way. Really soothes the skin and never feels sticky. I always feel like my skin is more radiant when I use this. Perfect spring vibes.
4. Exfoliant
Spring skincare means I like to switch to some more gentle renewing products to my routine. With the indoor heat still running I do battle dry flakey skin but with the sun I try to be mindful of increased sun sensitivity. Here are some of my faves.
- Budget: A cheap washcloth. No really. I buy the 10-pack from Ikea for $3.99. They’re perfect. I use a fresh one each day and gently buff small circles all over my face. I go into more detail in this blog post on washing my face. Nice washcloths are too soft and don’t exfoliate as well so you gotta go cheap. Ikea ones strike the perfect balance between cheap and soft enough to enjoy using.
- Mid-Range: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum. This is similar to the daily peel pads but not as much waste. This has some amazing ingredients and works well to help pores look smaller.
- Splurge: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate. This is super fast. Just 2 min of tingle then you wash it off. I like to put this on while my shower is warming up because I like to make sure I very thoroughly rinse off an exfoliating treatment that is intense like this one.
5. Lip Balm
You know I can’t make any list without bringing up lip balm 😀 I love lip balm and the heat is still running in spring so I battle dry lips. In the summer I tend to use one with an spf and it can be lighter. But spring still calls for a thicker balm.
- Budget: Softlips. I loved it in High School and it still works now. Really anything, just use something.
- Mid-Range: Bite Beauty Agave Lip mask. I know it’s called a mask but I use it all the time. I have one in my purse, one on my desk, one by my bed. Hands down favorite. Enough said.
- Splurge: La Mer The Balm. This is basically the definition of extra. But it is a decent sized container of lip balm, it does work and smells so nice. I am glad I bought it once. And I will be sad once it’s all gone. Has the legendary Miracle Broth to promote healing.
Those are some spring skincare swaps I make as soon as the snow is melted and I am spending more time outside. What are some of your favorite skincare products for spring/summer? I am always excited to discover new products.