10 SPRING SKINCARE TIPS

Hello Spring!

If you want to step up your spring skincare, try these proven tips.

1. DRINK UP

Yes! You’ve probably heard this a zillion times. Staying hydrated is at the core of every skincare routine. All the organs in your body need water to function. Your skin is your body’s largest organ. So, drink the recommended intake of eight 8-ounce glasses (2 litres) of water daily. Your skin will thank you for it.

Warning:

The recommended water intake of 2 litres per day is not for everyone. The amount of water needed varies per individual. Meaning you may need to take in more water than another person. Certain people depending on factors like where they live, diet, metabolism and health, may need less or more water than others. For instance, if you drink too much coffee or caffeinated beverages, you may lose water through extra urination. You will need to drink more water than someone who doesn't take coffee or caffeine, to replace the water your body has lost. However, if you eat a lot of hydrating foods like fruits and veggies, which have a high water content, you may need to take in less water than someone whose diet is not rich in hydrating foods. You need to know what works for you to avoid exceeding the amount of water your body needs. Drinking too much water has been linked to life-threatening conditions like hyponatremia.

2. EAT HEALTHY

Beautiful skin starts from within. Snack on fresh veggies and fruits to give your body a healthy dose of minerals and vitamins. Vitamin C, in particular, promotes collagen production, which makes your skin firm and youthful. It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from free radicals, which cause it to age prematurely. Fruits and veggies like watermelons, grapefruits, apples, carrots, lettuce and broccoli also contain a lot of water which is good for keeping the skin’s outer layer hydrated.

Pro Tip

Eat more citrus fruits. They have lots of benefits for the skin.

3. EXFOLIATE

 

To have radiant skin this springtime, you need to go back to the basics. You should begin your spring skincare routine with exfoliating. During winter, your skin accumulates a layer of dead skin. Though the skin sheds off dead cells naturally, it could be your heavy winter clothing doesn’t allow your skin to do its shedding well. Run a hot bath and give yourself a good head-to-toe scrub. Pay particular attention to problem areas like elbows, knees, back, feet and hands. The skin on your face is delicate, so use a facial scrub instead of a body scrub.

Having a fruit bath with fruits and milk, and using bath salts is another way to exfoliate naturally. Sugary fruits and milk contain water-soluble acids called Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which can remove dead skin cells. Moreover, bath salts mixed with sweet almond oil or coconut oil are best for problem areas like elbows, knees or feet.

Pro Tips

• Be gentle on your skin. Scrub away using small, circular motions after applying a body scrub to your skin. If you are using an exfoliating tool like a brush, scrub away with short, light strokes.
• Exfoliate for 30 seconds max and rinse off with some lukewarm water.
• Moisturise after exfoliating to nourish and protect your new skin.

4. USE SUNSCREEN

 

UV rays in spring may not be as intense as in summer. Nonetheless, they can still be damaging. You should protect your skin from sun damage even on days when the weather is gloomy.

Pro Tips

• Go for a lightweight sunscreen that won’t clog your skin’s pores.
• Do also go for dual-purpose products; a moisturiser or foundation with SPF is a good choice.

5. OPT FOR A LIGHT MOISTURISER

 

It’s time to swap out heavy moisturisers for lighter ones. Heavy moisturisers were needed to keep your skin more hydrated in the winter season because of the cold, dry air. But in spring, the weather is warmer and more humid. Your skin is already getting enough hydration from the moisture in the air. A light moisturiser is all you need.

Pro Tip

Go for a hyaluronic acid-based cream or lotion to lock in moisture, so you don’t have to apply too much of it to get better results..

6. WORK OUT

 

Working out and other forms of physical activity increase blood flow to the skin. The blood flowing to the skin carries oxygen and nutrients to the skin’s cells to nourish them. This same blood carries away free radicals and dead skin cells (shed by the skin) away from the skin. So don’t be a couch potato. Be active if you want to have glowing skin this spring.

Pro Tip

If you are not a gym-goer, a 30-minute brisk walk or jog is fine.

7. GET A SERUM

Add a serum to your spring skincare routine. Spring is the perfect season for wearing serums. The weather is usually slightly warm and pleasant, so you can apply an extra layer of another product to your face without feeling uncomfortable. Besides, a light serum gives your skin more firmness and hydration.

Pro Tips

• Slather on a light layer of serum before using your moisturiser.
• A serum containing Vitamin C is best to make you more naturally tolerant to the sun's rays. It also prevents or lightens up hyperpigmentation.

8. CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES

While you are at your spring cleaning, don’t forget those brushes. Cosmetic products, particularly makeup brushes, are breeding grounds for bacteria. You need to replace them every month or wash them with natural cleansers (if you don’t want to break the bank buying new ones!).

Pro Tip

• Looking for something to clean your brushes? Baby shampoo does the trick! Put a small amount of baby shampoo like Johnson's Baby Shampoo in the palm of your hand. Rub one brush at a time in the bit of shampoo in your palm. Run it under warm water, thoroughly rinsing out all the shampoo with your fingers. Squeeze out all the water and lay the brush on a clean, dry towel to dry.

9. UPDATE YOUR MAKEUP KIT

 

When the season changes, so must your makeup products. Your face needs different products for the warm, humid weather in spring. Here are two simple things to do to get a spring-ready makeup kit:

• Swap out your old heavy foundation for a lighter one. Your skin produces more oil and sweat during warmer seasons. Using a heavy foundation (used in winter) makes matters even worse; your skin can get clogged up with oil and sweat, causing a breakout.
• Add some pore perfecting and mattifying products, like a primer, to your kit. This will keep the shine and oil down and make you look fresh throughout the day.
• Have a facial mist handy to cool you off when it heats up and keep you hydrated as well.

10. APPLY EYE CREAM

Your spring skincare routine would be incomplete without an eye cream. Your eye area is delicate and can take a hit from the UV rays of the sun. Keep fine lines and wrinkles around your eye area at bay by applying an eye cream daily to soothe and protect this part of your face.

Pro Tip

Choose an eye cream with key ingredients like Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.

Here is a cheat sheet to help you remember all ten tips. 

 

 

 

By Nana Ama Afoa Osae I Writer I GreatWonderful Team

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