Spring Skincare Routine: Transitioning from Winter to Warmer Weather
How does your skin cope with the changes in weather throughout the year? We often feel frustrated when we have outbreaks or patches of dry or red skin at certain times in the year, but often don’t realise that these are due to seasonal changes in the weather and can be remedied with the use of gentle, seasonally appropriate products that can get you glowing again.
Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we have a great range of skincare products and we can help you to adjust your products and routines to cope with changes in the weather or other seasonal factors. Read on for our top tips on transitioning from winter to warmer weather with smooth, clear skin and pop into our store to find out more about how we can help you with your skincare and other health issues.
Winter to Warmer Weather Skincare
There are several factors to consider when you’re looking to take care of yourself and your skin all year round. We’ll look at the different types of products that can be helpful during the winter months and as the weather warms up, and we’ll consider the issues that you may need to address to keep your skin looking and feeling great in Spring.
- Hydration. It’s hard to avoid dry skin during the winter months when you’re constantly stepping out into cold dry air. The winds and harsh temperatures can take their toll on your skin and you may find that you need to switch to a heavier moisturiser during the winter months. This can help to provide a higher level of protection from the elements and a deeper moisturising experience to nourish your skin at this time. We love Aveeno Skin Relief, which is ideal for soothing and protecting even against extreme dryness, encouraging more resilient, healthy-looking skin. As the weather warms up, however, you will probably benefit from switching to a lighter, water-based moisturiser that will not feel as heavy on your skin and will allow it to breathe more easily.
- Sunscreen. It is important to protect your skin from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun all year round, but you may find that you wish to vary the level of SPF you use depending on the time of year. In the winter months, you may need a lower level of SPF – which may be applied separately or included in your moisturiser. However, as the weather changes, you should consider increasing to a stronger SPF. This is particularly important in the springtime, as the UVA and UVB rays may be at their strongest at this time. Look out for a moisturiser that contains at least SPF 30 and apply daily to protect your skin from sun damage. If you prefer the highest level of protection, you will love La Roche-Posay Anthelios Uvmune Fluid Tinted moisturiser with SPF 50, which is suitable for sensitive skin.
- Cleansing. In the winter months, you may find that the cleanser that works best for you is gentle and hydrating, giving you some extra support to cope with the harsh elements. However, as the weather warms up, you may feel that it suits your skin better to use a foaming or gel cleanser to help control excess oils and sweat. La Roche-Posay comes to the rescue here with Effaclar Purifying Gel Cleanser, a beautifully light cleanser that eliminates impurities and excess oils, leaving your skin clear and fresh all day long.
- Exfoliating. Exfoliation is a great way to keep your skin clear and clean, eliminating dead skin cells and preventing breakouts on the skin. During the winter months, it’s a good idea to avoid using exfoliants too much as you could dry your skin out further at a time when it is already in need of more moisturising. As the weather gets warmer, you should increase the frequency of exfoliation for a fresh, clean result. You can exfoliate simply by using a handful of sea salt or sugar in the shower or bath and rubbing this into your skin in circles, or use an exfoliating gel or scrub or exfoliating mitts.
- Extra moisturising. In the winter, you may find that you can add a hydrating serum to your skincare routine to nourish your skin more deeply, and this is an easy way to adjust your regime for the season. In the springtime, you may wish to switch this out for an antioxidant-rich serum that can help to protect your skin from environmental damage without leaving it feeling clogged and heavy. Seoulista Beauty Brightening Super Serum is a popular option, lightweight and hydrating but strong enough to protect the skin barrier and give you a more even-toned, radiant complexion.
- Masks. A mask can be used to deeply moisturise and cleanse facial skin and this is a great way to protect your skin as environmental factors change throughout the year. In the winter, a moisturising mask can be a great solution to dry, red or sore skin, giving another level of moisturisation to combat the elements. We recommend the Aqualia Thermal Night Spa Mask by Vichy Laboratoires, which is designed to deeply hydrate and revive the skin as an overnight mask. Alternatively, this product can be used as a moisturiser to comfort and soothe the skin. Clay masks are a great option as the weather changes, useful to control excess oil and unclog pores. These can be used weekly as a deep clean for the skin and can help to control oily skin particularly when the weather is warmer.
- Toning. Toners can be very helpful to keep skin in great condition, and this is another product that you may wish to vary at different times during the year. In the winter months, soothing, hydrating toners can be beneficial to leave skin with an extra boost of moisture and protection against harsh weather. In the spring, when the weather is warmer, you may find that it helps to switch to a toner with astringent properties to help control oil production.
- Eye care. The delicate skin around your eyes needs gentle care to keep it moisturised and prevent wrinkles, and this may involve different products for different seasons. In the winter, you may use a rich eye cream such as CeraVe Reparative Eye Cream to combat dryness. This is a nourishing formulation that includes ceramides and hyaluronic acid to give your tired eyes a lift that leaves you looking and feeling refreshed. As the weather changes, you may feel that a lighter, gel-based eye cream is a better choice for you, preventing excess moisture and keeping your skin feeling smooth and clear.
- Lip care. Lips can bear the brunt of cold, harsh weather conditions and may crack and blister, especially in the winter months. It often helps to use thicker balms in the wintertime, and ingredients such as cocoa butter and beeswax can help to form a protective shield on the lips and enable healing. Blistex Ultra Lip Balm is a rich and protective choice that includes SPF 50+, so it’s ideal even for extremely dry, cold conditions such as skiing and you can keep it handy in your pocket or bag at all times. In the springtime, you can move with the seasons and make the most of the increased moisture in the air by switching to a lighter lip balm or lip gloss, ensuring that it contains SPF for sun protection.
- Body care. You may notice changes in your skin during the winter, perhaps developing dry patches or areas of flaky skin. This is usually a result of the weather and environmental factors such as central heating, and you can combat the problem with a hydrating body lotion that helps to replenish your skin. In warmer weather, your skin will still benefit from some moisturising TLC but you will be able to use lighter body moisturisers that leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Look for a body moisturiser that contains sunscreen to ensure you are protected from the sun all year round, but especially in the Spring and Summer when you are more likely to be exposed to the sun.
Of course, maintaining healthy skin is not just about the products you use, it also depends upon the way you care for yourself from the inside out. It is essential to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and eat a balanced diet to ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals you need for that healthy glow. Wrap up warm in winter and protect your skin when you shed those layers as the weather warms up, and you’ll soon be enjoying smooth, soft skin all year round.
If you have any concerns about your skin care options or any changes in your skin or your health, it is important to speak with your doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist.
Skincare You’ll Love at Gray’s Pharmacy
Our friendly, experienced team can help you with all your skincare needs, with a great range of products online and in-store to choose from. We also stock healthcare and personal care products for babies, children and adults and we have a range of gift options you’ll love. We aim to help you to care for your family all year round and we’ll be on hand to answer any health queries you have and offer you the benefit of our expertise.
Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we have a range of online and face-to-face services available to you, including diabetes management and smoking cessation clinics. Shop online or pop in and meet us in our community pharmacy in Castletroy, Limerick today.
