The buds are starting to bloom, and temps are starting to rise — it's official, spring is awakening. And just as you prepare to switch your puffy coats and boots for sleek loafers and lighter trench coats, don't forget that a new season also calls for a switch in your daily skincare routine. Just as your sartorial needs change with the season, so does your skin. Not sure where to start? Here’s your guide to create the perfect spring skincare routine to help you take on the new season feeling fresh-faced and vibrant.
Changing Seasons, New Skincare Needs
The colder and harsh winter climate (depending on where you live) can leave skin appearing dull, dry and irritated. Chances are you probably reached for thicker and heavier creams to battle the drying effects of the cold, but spring often brings warmer and more humid days (not to mention allergy season), changing your skin's needs. Heavier products can clog pores, which can further provoke skin issues such as acne, which is more common in humid weather. As published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, a 2019 study* showed that both temperature and humidity have a contributing role in the progress of acne and are causes of acne flare—another reason to choose lighter creams.
Spring Clean Your Routine
Step 1: Cleanse
When you think about spring, everything seems lighter and fresher, and that's the same approachyou'll want to apply to your beauty regimen. A mild and gentle cleanser is the perfect way to prep your skin for the spring climate. Ideal for dry and sensitive skin, the Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Dermo-Cleanser leaves skin feeling clean and soft with a non-irritating pH-balanced formula. Even better, this hypoallergenic formula is free of fragrances and colorants
Step 2: Exfoliate
Scrub dead, dry winter skin away. Our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells. Every four weeks, new skin cells emerge on the lowest layers of the epidermis and rise to the surface to replace the dead skin cells that have flaked off**. When it comes to exfoliation, products with acids such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) — aka chemical exfoliants — are key as they help break down buildup and make way for the skin renewal process.
Sometimes, AHAs and BHAs can cause irritation; however, for those with sensitive skin, PHAs may be a better choice as research has shown them to be a gentler chemical exfoliant and compatible with sensitive skin†.
If you're new to chemical exfoliants, we recommend using belif Aqua Bomb PHA Exfoliating Toner Pads to help remove dead skin cells while giving your skin a burst of hydration. Each pad is soaked with beneficial ingredients like 2% PHA (polyhydroxy acid), cica, panthenol, andhyaluronic acid. These toner pads are suitable for normal, dry, combination and oily skin and target several skin concerns, including dryness, uneven texture, pore appearance, dullness and oiliness.
*"Seasonal aggravation of acne in summers and the effect of temperature and humidity in a study in a tropical setting". J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019
**"How does skin work?" InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. 2009 Sep 28 [Updated 2019 Apr 11].
†"The use of polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) in photoaged skin." Cutis. 2004
