How to prepare your skin for spring?

Often overprotected during the winter by rich creams and covering clothing, the skin can tend to accumulate dead cells on its surface. Cell renewal may also slow down during the colder season, due to lower exposure to light and less favourable climatic conditions. The result: the complexion may appear duller and the skin texture less even. As spring approaches, it can therefore be beneficial to help the epidermis eliminate these accumulated cells in order to restore a more even and more radiant skin.

To achieve this, you can exfoliate your skin once or twice a week.

Several types of exfoliants can be used depending on personal preference and skin sensitivity. Chemical exfoliants, containing for example alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), act by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells. Mechanical exfoliants, also known as scrubs, work differently and remove corneocytes thanks to the particles they contain. If you use this type of exfoliants, we recommend opting for very fine particles to avoid irritating your skin.

In addition to helping refine the skin’s texture and revive the complexion’s radiance, exfoliation optimises the absorption and effectiveness of the skincare products applied afterwards. As spring approaches, this simple step can help the skin make a fresh start on a healthy basis.

With the arrival of spring, changes in temperature and sunlight exposure can alter the skin’s balance. Several studies have in fact shown that sebum production varies with the seasons. A study conducted on several hundred participants notably observed an increase in sebaceous secretion in spring and in summer. This change can be partly explained by rising temperatures and humidity, but also by increased activity of the sebaceous glands under the influence of environmental factors. The skin may then appear shinier, particularly in the T-zone, which corresponds to the forehead, nose and chin, and the pores may appear more visible.

Several approaches can help to reduce this excess without dehydrating your skin.

It all begins with thorough cleansing of the face. To do this, you can use a cleansing gel containing mattifying active ingredients, such as zinc or bamboo extract, to effectively remove accumulated sebum. If you have oily skin, this type of cleanser can be used on a daily basis. Otherwise, it may be beneficial to use it once or twice a week, depending on how your skin feels and what it needs. However, make sure you choose a gentle formula, so as not to damage the skin barrier and not to cause dehydration of the skin. In fact, cleansers that are too harsh can paradoxically stimulate sebum production in response to the drying out of the epidermis. At the same time, if you feel the need or notice shiny areas, you can also opt for mattifying serums or sticks.

With the return of milder temperatures, it can be tempting to scale back your skincare routine. However, hydration remains essential, even when the skin appears less dry than in winter. More frequent exposure to the sun and sometimes persistent wind can still disrupt the epidermis. To keep the skin supple and comfortable, using a hydrating serum can be a good option. These light formulations, concentrated in humectants, help to attract and retain water in the stratum corneum. Among the most frequently used active ingredients are of course hyaluronic acid, but also glycerine, polyglutamic acid and aloe vera.

Moisturising the skin with a serum does not remove the need to use a moisturising cream.

Essential all year round, it helps to limit the evaporation of water at the surface of the epidermis. Moisturising creams contain a variety of ingredients that help to restore the hydrolipidic film and to maintain the skin’s hydration and comfort throughout the day, with the most important point being to choose a product suited to one’s skin type.

With the arrival of spring, exposure to environmental aggressors tends to increase. UV radiation becomes more intense, outdoor activities multiply and the skin is more frequently exposed to airborne pollutants. These factors promote the production of free radicals, unstable molecules capable of damaging the lipids, proteins and DNA of skin cells. This phenomenon, known as oxidative stress, contributes in particular to the premature ageing of the skin and to the degradation of certain proteins, such as collagen.

To strengthen the skin’s natural defences against these aggressors, it can be beneficial to incorporate antioxidants into one’s skincare routine. Among the best known are vitamin C, which helps to neutralise free radicals and restore radiance to the complexion, vitamin E, which protects cell membranes, as well as plant polyphenols, found for example in green tea extract and resveratrol. Other antioxidants, such as ferulic acid or coenzyme Q10, are also highly effective in helping the skin to better withstand external aggressions.

When used regularly, antioxidants support the skin’s defence mechanisms as the finer weather approaches.

With the gradual rise in temperatures, the skin may tend to produce more sebum and tolerate less well the very rich textures used during winter. Spring is therefore often the ideal time to adapt the formulation of one’s skincare products. Without necessarily changing every product in one’s routine, it may be appropriate to opt for lighter textures, such as gel-creams and fluid emulsions. These formulations provide the skin with the necessary active ingredients while avoiding an overly occlusive film-like sensation.

The most important thing is to listen to your skin: if the texture of the products you used in winter still suits you in spring, there is no need to change.

With the arrival of spring, the intensity of UV radiation increases progressively. Even if temperatures remain moderate, sunlight becomes stronger and the days grow longer. In addition, outdoor activities often resume at this time of year: walks, sport, sitting on café terraces or walking to and from places. This cumulative exposure can cause skin damage, in particular premature ageing of the skin, the appearance of pigment spots or even sunburn. While SPF 30 may sometimes be sufficient during the winter, except in the mountains, it can become somewhat insufficient in spring. It is therefore preferable to opt for an SPF 50, and then continue using it throughout the summer.

For sun protection to be genuinely effective, it is also important to apply a sufficient quantity of product. In practice, about two to three fingers’ worth is recommended for the face and neck, to be reapplied throughout the day in the event of prolonged exposure. Today, sunscreens are available in many forms: very lightweight fluids, gels, mists, sticks or mattifying creams. Formulations have evolved considerably in recent years, particularly for oily skin.

The argument that sunscreens are too thick and greasy is no longer really valid. Nowadays, every skin type can find a texture that suits it.

After the winter, the complexion can sometimes appear a little duller. Spring is therefore an ideal time to restore radiance to the skin. Tinted skincare products are an attractive option: they provide a touch of colour while continuing to care for the skin. One may, for example, opt for glow drops, formulated with pearlescent particles or light-reflecting pigments to revive the skin’s natural glow, or for bronzing drops which gently warm the complexion without any masking effect. These products are often enriched with hydrating or antioxidant active ingredients, thereby combining a healthy-looking glow with effective skin care.

Other simple actions can also help to brighten the face. The application of a tinted concealer can help to reduce signs of fatigue, while eyebrow gels make it possible to structure the face in a natural way. For the lips, tinted oils offer an interesting alternative to more opaque lipsticks: they provide shine, comfort and a subtle hint of colour at the same time.

These lightweight, easy-to-use products fit seamlessly into a springtime routine, where the aim is to enhance the skin while maintaining a natural, radiant finish.

• DIFFEY B. Factors that influence the quality and quantity of terrestrial solar UV radiation. Sun Protection, a risk management approach (2017).

• VELEBNY V. & al. Seasonal variations in the skin parameters of Caucasian women from Central Europe. Skin Research & Technology (2020).