Spring has always been my favourite season because it brings with it a fresh, renewing energy, longer days, sunshine and the blooming of nature all around. The arrival of spring naturally makes us more inclined to clean out our homes, start a garden, change up our wardrobes, and of course - change up our skincare routine. As the days become longer, the weather warms up and the energy becomes all about renewal and rebirth, this is an amazing time to refresh your skincare routine. Winter weather can be harsh and drying to the skin, and the arrival of spring means trading in the heavier, thicker and more occlusive winter skincare essentials for lighter, more hydrating ones. Thicker creams in hot weather tend to cause an overproduction of natural oils, which can lead to clogged pores, blemishes and a shiny complexion.
Here are our simple tips to keep that complexion glowing and radiant during the warmer months:
We naturally tend to dust off, declutter and re-organize our homes during the springtime, but one area that can easily be overlooked is our beauty cabinets. It can be quite easy to accumulate products, and making time to go through and organize your stock can save you money and time in the long run.
Firstly, check the expiry date of the products you currently have. Old and expired cosmetics can be harmful to health, so make sure to toss anything past its expiry date. If you have natural products, inspect them for colour changes, changes in smell or consistency, as these can be tell-tale signs of rancidity. This means that a product is not only not as effective, but can potentially be a breeding ground for bacteria.
This is also a great time to take stock of which products you have that need to be used. Oftentimes, if things are not in our sight we tend to forget about them, so make sure to use products that are nearing their expiry date first and put them in a place where they are clearly visible and accessible.
Radiant skin looks even more luminous when it's healthy and well-moisturized. As the weather warms up, we become more prone to dehydration, and of course that includes the skin! Heavier, more occlusive products that we use in the winter can cause more oil and sweat to be secreted and can clog pores and lead to inflammation and breakouts. You may be tempted to skip moisturizing all together as your skin may not feel dry, but moisturizer is key to not only protect your skin, but keep it from drying out and becoming irritated. If your current products feel too heavy, try swapping heavier balms and thick creams for lighter, non-comedogenic moisturizers and lighter facial oils instead.
After the long winter months, we welcome the sunshine to elevate our moods and give us a much needed boost of vitamin D, but prolonged unprotected exposure can cause free-radical damage that can irritate, harm and age the skin.
Antioxidants are an amazing addition that can be used all year round, but they’re especially helpful during the warmer months when UV exposure is more intense, leading to a breakdown of collagen and elastin amongst other skin concerns. Topical antioxidants are so amazing in skincare because they stabilize the free radicals that come from pollution and the sun’s rays, decreasing the damage done to skin.
Our favourite powerhouse natural ingredient? Aloe vera. Aloe vera has long been known for its incredible properties, including antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal properties. Aloe does an incredible job at helping the skin retain moisture, improve skin elasticity and integrity, and can even help skin conditions such as sunburns, irritation, hyperpigmentation, acne and psoriasis.
Aloe contains compounds called mucopolysaccharides, a sugar that helps retain moisture in the skin. Aloe also has potent antioxidant compounds that help to protect the skin from damage and premature aging.
Our favourite way to incorporate aloe is either by applying it directly to the skin, or making a soothing aloe-clay mask. This mask is incredibly nourishing and hydrating, as the aloe vera has potent antioxidants and the honey acts as a humectant, which means it attracts water into the skin. The oat powder, kaolin clay and lavender soothe and gently exfoliate the skin.
Here is our recipe for an incredibly soothing and hydrating aloe facial mask:
- 2 Tablespoons Afiya Beauty Oat Lavender Cleansing Powder or clay of choice
- 1 Tablespoon fresh aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon raw natural honey
- A splash of filtered water
Mix all of the ingredients together to form a smooth paste. Massage gently into the face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
We can’t talk about warm weather skincare without mentioning SPF. Protection and prevention is key when it comes to the skin, as the sun is one of the biggest culprits for skin damage and aging, as well as worsening hyperpigmentation. However, not all sunscreens are made the same. It is important to use a sunscreen that is formulated for the face, as these typically contain higher SPF. As a rule of thumb, the best protection for your face is an SPF of 40 or higher. And another important thing to remember, is that SPF needs to be reapplied every 2-3 hours if you are in direct sunshine. There are spray sunscreens available on the market that can be applied over makeup and moisturizers for touch ups throughout the day.
The Bottom Line:
Spring is an excellent time to evaluate, change and refresh all areas of your life, including your skincare products. It's a great time to ask yourself - How are your skincare products and routines working for you? Are you happy with your results or do you have a few concerns? Small swaps and changes can ultimately make a huge difference and promote that radiant, supple glow.
image courtesy of Pinterest