Moving from winter into springtime, common skincare issues include dry skin, blackheads, and breakouts. This is due to a combination of having endured low humidity & colder weather, plus the sudden rise in humidity that comes with spring. The transition can cause your skin to enlist defense mechanisms as a way of protecting itself against the environmental changes.

To make your skincare routine more effective, it should change with the seasonal shift. Here are ways you can incorporate specific ingredients and products into your spring skincare routine to make it more effective and help your skin find its way back to homeostasis.

Common Skin Changes in Spring

• increase in breakouts on face and body
• dehydration
• increased sensitivity to temperature
• increased inflammation/trapped heat
• hives
• eczema flares
• flakiness

Follow these Steps to Make Your Spring Skincare Routine More Effective

#1 - Hydrate.

Focus on maintaining hydration in your skin to help keep sebum levels in balance. If you're dealing with dehydration, an oil-based cleanser is an impactful way to cleanse without stripping skin's moisture. Opt for the Apoterra Vetiver Oil Cleanser & re-supplement skin with a hydrating toning mist such as the Rose Essential Hydration Mist.

Look for hydrating natural skincare ingredients like:

• Black Cumin Seed, Tamanu & Meadowfoam seed oils: these work in tandem to unclog pores, regenerate damaged skin & moisturize while offering antibacterial properties
• Hydrosols: an aqueous, hydrating boost that is easily absorbed by your skin
• Hyaluronic Acid: a humectant that boosts your skin's moisture content & reduces inflammation

#2 - Balance.

Focus on balancing sebum production & minimizing inflammation in your spring skincare routine. This can also mean PH balancing which is part of your skin's immune response.

Opt for sebum balancing natural skincare ingredients like:

• Green Tea (Camellia sinensis): antioxidant & anti-inflammatory properties. Helps reduce sebum production & prevent breakouts.
• Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil (Hippophae rhamnoides): research has shown that sea buckthorn can help reduce sebum production, reduce the occurrence of breakouts & speed up healing.

#3 - Renew.

Focus on determining your skin's particular needs at this phase:
Dulled, uneven skin with moderate congestion. Optimal for dry skin.

• Exfoliate: Support regeneration and slough away buildup while introducing nutrients via the Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud.

Congested skin (with or without current breakouts). Optimal for combination/oily skin.

• Decongest: Draw out impurities and buildup while offering very light exfoliation with the Mineral Purifying Mask.

#4 - Restore.

Focus your skincare routine on barrier repair & supporting your skin's natural reparative function. After being subjected to dry winter air, your skin may be recovering from dehydration & a compromised barrier.

Lifestyle adjustments:

• Humidifier
• Air purifier
• Monitor water temperatures when bathing & showering. Hot, scalding water can strip your skin barrier.

Look for reparative natural skincare ingredients like:

• Rosehip Oil (Rosa canina): extremely high in essential fatty acids Omega 3, 6 and 9, which provide regenerative properties for compromised skin
• Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil (Hippophae rhamnoides): One of the most nutrient-rich oils available that helps repair skin and improve skin hydration.
• CoQ10: Applied topically it works as a barrier to keep free radicals at bay and enhances your skin's ability to regenerate itself.

If you’re unsure about changing your skincare routine for spring, take our skin quiz or book a consultation to customize a routine for your skin.