I'm Updating My Skincare Routine For Spring—and I'm Starting With This Luxury Serum
New season, new routine.
After a very cold and brutal winter, things are finally beginning to heat up on the east coast. After experiencing my first 80-degree day in months last week, I was finally compelled to move all of my winter coats to the back of my closet, but in light of spring, I've also decided to make some changes to my skincare routine.
For some people, adjusting your skincare routine to account for different weather isn't necessary, but it's worth considering if you live in an environment that experiences real seasonal changes. "When it's cold and dry, your skin becomes more sensitive and loses moisture, which is why we lean into heavier, more hydrating formulas and focus on barrier repair," board-certified dermatologist Joel Spitz, MD, says. "When temperatures rise, the oil glands become more active, which can lead to congestion and breakouts. The skin is reactive to its environment, and your routine should reflect that."
I've complained to just about anyone who'll listen at this point that winter this year has been very unforgiving on my skin. On most days, my typically-combination skin felt tight and dry, so I solved that issue by using richer moisturizers. For spring, I'm being a lot more mindful of what goes on my skin so that I won't have to deal with excess oil and congestion in the heat. To see my updated spring skincare routine for combination skin, read ahead.
The Cleansers
I tend to gravitate towards foaming cleansers that can remove makeup and address the oiliness in my T-zone, but these are especially important if you want to reduce breakouts as the weather heats up. Among the sea of foaming cleansers I’ve put to the test over the years, these are a couple of my favorites.
Glycerin joins forces with vitamins E and B5 in this cleanser that has a soft, cloud-like texture. It moisturizes while gently removing traces of dirt, excess oil, and makeup.
As a person who frequently wears complexion makeup, I swear by double-cleansing. That said, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love a cleanser that gets rid of makeup all in one go, which is why I love this whipped formula from Farmacy. It’s made with green clay to help absorb oil while papaya enzymes exfoliate the skin and address congestion.
One of my all-time favorite La Roche-Posay products, this cleanser has a gel-to-foam texture that cleanses without stripping or leaving my skin feeling tight and desperate for moisture. It gets my oily T-zone right in shape.
The Sheet Masks
As a way to rehab my skin from the extreme (and unusual) dryness I experienced this past winter, I’ve been relying on sheet masks more than ever. For me, this means hydrating formulas like the ones ahead that soften my skin and give me a dewy, glassy glow.
If you have a few extra hours to spare on a weeknight or weekend, try Biodance’s viral collagen sheet mask. It’s a jelly mask that you apply as-is, only removing it when the entire thing turns translucent after two to three hours. It’s meant to hydrate while also addressing dullness and texture.
This is like Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer if it were in mask form. It’s a no-fuss jelly mask that uses hyaluronic acid as its main ingredient to gently moisturize the skin without clogging pores or making your face feel heavy. It also has a cool feeling that can relieve irritation.
The Treatments
Again, this year’s cold winter weather was a lot harsher on my skin than normal, so my main focus for months was moisture. The springtime is a great time to reintroduce treatments and actives into my routine to repair my compromised skin barrier.
A good sign that your skin barrier is damaged or compromised is if your skin feels dry even after applying moisturizer. This is what I experienced for a few months, so to address it, I grabbed this ectoin-based serum that uses ceramides to boost the skin’s barrier while locking in moisture.
I’ve also been dealing with a handful of dark spots lately, and this milky serum has worked wonders when it comes to removing them. It has a really light texture that doesn’t feel sticky or pill underneath makeup or other moisturizers.
The Moisturizers
Like Dr. Spitz said, heat can cause your oil glands to work harder, which is why I like to stick to lighter, more non-comedogenic moisturizers that won’t contribute to said oiliness or cause any congestion (I already deal with enough of that). These are just a few of my personal favorites.
Okay, so this isn’t technically a moisturizer, but it acts like one. It has a really silky, non-greasy formula that spreads so easily and moisturizes without clogging my pores or causing congestion.
This jelly moisturizer has a really light texture, but it doesn’t just moisturize (even though that’s pretty important). It also addresses inflammation and redness thanks to ingredients like zinc.
This soft gel uses glycerin to help the skin retain moisture while also keeping it looking bouncy and fresh. It provides barrier support while still being breathable and light on the pores.
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Meet the Expert
Joel Spitz, MD, is a New York-based, board-certified dermatologist. He's also a cofounder and chief medical offer at Honeydew.
