SPRING CLEANING IS FOR MORE THAN JUST YOUR HOUSE, AND ADOPTING A FRESH AND NEW ROUTINE FOR SPRING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED! HERE’S A LIST OF OUR FOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR A FRESH, REJUVENATED SPRING SEASON…

1. Check Your Cosmetics

It’s important to be vigilant about swapping out products regularly. Some cosmetics should be used within a specified period of time after opening due to oxidation and microbiological factors.

Most cosmetic packaging will have a drawing of an open jar on the back with a number inside it that represents the number of months the product will stay fresh.

Pro Tip: When you purchase a new mascara or eye shadow palette, check the number on the packaging and set a reminder on your phone that corresponds with the expiration month to repurchase. Your phone will remind you when it’s time to toss and replace with something new - and you’ll save yourself loads of hassle trying to remember when you bought that last tube of mascara.

2. Start Exfoliating

In winter, when your skin is drier and more sensitive (thanks to winter winds and dry indoor heat), it’s best to exfoliate once per week. But in the spring, exfoliation removes old layers of skin and helps topical treatments absorb into the skin more effectively.

There are several ways to exfoliate the skin:

MECHANICAL EXFOLIATION

Dead skin cells are physically removed with an abrasive agent. For the body - salt or sugar scrubs are commonly used. For the face, it’s important to use gentle and round ingredients like spherical jojoba beads.

Pro Tip: Steer clear of harsh products like apricot scrubs which can cause microscopic tears and inflammation in the skin.

CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION

One of the most common types of exfoliation is done with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Both work by gently dissolving the outermost layers of skin - encouraging cellular turnover and bringing new, healthy cells to the surface.

The difference between AHAs and BHAs is their solubility. AHAs are water soluble and do not penetrate as deep within the skin while BHAs are oil soluble and often penetrate much deeper.

RETINOLS

Retinol is another name for Vitamin A and comes in many forms - from home use products to prescription topicals. When any type of retinol is absorbed into the skin, it is eventually converted into retinoic acid (the compound responsible for the age management benefits of retinols)

ENZYMES

Enzymes are commonly derived from different fruits and plants such as pumpkin, pineapple and papaya. Their job is to gently digest dead skin cells by dissolving cellular debris and cell buildup.

They leave the skin softer, clearer and more receptive to any topical product applied.

Pro Tip: Schedule a treatment with your favorite Esthetician to discuss the best exfoliation methods for your unique skin type. They can also recommend a home-care regimen that includes weekly exfoliation - leaving your skin healthy and glowing.

3. Swap Your Moisturizer

Moisturizer is crucial to any skin-care routine, but using heavy creams in the spring may lead to congestion and breakouts. Heavy creams have lipids that stick to the skin and repair your dry winter skin barrier. When that skin barrier is already healthy, however, extra lipids to the skin can cause clogged pores and pimples. This spring: look for serums, lotions, or hydrating gels rather than creams for moisture.

4. Change Cleansers

Creamy, hydrating cleansers are perfect for winter when you have a compromised skin barrier. However, you may not need the extra lipids that they leave behind in the spring. Consider making the switch to a lighter, pH balanced cleanser as the weather warms up.