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We're fast approaching the spring equinox and I don't know about you but I can't wait to officially bid adieu to winter.
As the weather warms up, you'll notice some changes in your skin, and your skin care needs will shift, too. Dry, flaky, and crusty winter skin will soon be replaced by more natural oils, more time in the sun, and maybe some lymph stagnation (especially if you get spring allergies).
While it might seem overwhelming to adjust your routine from winter to spring, it's not as hard as you think to make the changes you need for healthy and happy spring skin.
Here are our biggest winter-to-spring skin care tips. Click on each to read more.
Without further ado, let's get into how you can prep your skin for springtime...
Spring is a great time to do inventory of the products you're using on your face, whether it's skin care or makeup. While it's tempting to hold onto your skin care and makeup faves, they do have a lifespan. Using old skin care and makeup can lead to irritation, inflammation, breakouts, and worst-case scenario if can even cause infections and styes in your eye (mascara is one of the riskiest products to use when it gets old).
To learn more about the lifespan of your makeup, read this blog. When it comes to skin care, follow these rules:
Another good thing to do in spring? Give your makeup brushes a good thorough cleaning and get in the habit of a weekly cleaning.
Just like your cosmetics collect bacteria, so do your makeup brushes. We recommend washing your makeup brushes at least 2X monthly (ideally every week), and sanitizing at least 1X weekly. I personally use our gentle, sulfate-free Shampoos to wash my brushes.
Pro tip: when you wash your brushes, let them dry flat. If you dry them upside down, water gets into the ferrule (the metal part where all the bristles come together with the handle), it will degrade the bristles while also trapping bacteria.
You'll know it's time to replace your brushes when they're shedding, frayed, and/or rough.
Chances are, you've been layering oils on serums on creams to keep your skin happy during the cold winter months. But as the weather warms up, you'll find that the humidity will be kinder to your skin. So what do you do? Switch up your moisturizers to something lighter weight and faster absorbing. You'll also be able to apply less moisturizer as the humidity ramps up.
If you prefer a facial oil as your moisturizer in spring time, we recommend choosing either the Kapha or Pitta formulas of our bestselling Ayurvedic Facial Oils. Apply 4-8 drops to your whole face and neck for soft, smooth skin without leaving you greasy. The Kapha formula is best in if you're prone to blackheads and lymph stagnation, while the Pitta formula is best if you're prone to inflammation. For a DIY alternative, go with organic jojoba oil.
If you're more of a water-based moisturizer person, check out our cult favorite Hydrating Gel which contains soothing plant hydrosols, plumping hyaluronic acid, and absorbs quickly for a lightweight, super silky finish. The Hydrating Gel is a perfect choice in spring if you typically find most moisturizers to be too heavy or greasy. Unfortunately it's not easy to DIY a replacement for a water-based moisturizer.
As the weather warms up and the weather gets better, we're all likely to spend more time outside.
No matter your skin tone, it's important to protect your skin against sun damage. While it's true that darker skin tones can use lower SPF products and don't need to reapply as frequently, it would be an oversimplification to say that people with darker skin tones never need sunscreen.
Here at Bright Body we prefer physical sunscreens that use zinc and titanium oxide as opposed to chemical sunscreen ingredients, the majority of which are hormone disruptors and are toxic to reef ecosystems.
But the trouble with most zinc and titanium sunscreens is that they're goopy, they take forever to rub in, and darker skin tones just can't wear them without looking like Capser the friendly ghost. The good news? Cosmetic chemistry has come a long way from the days of mayonnaise cosplaying as sunscreen.
We stock lightweight, easy-to-apply zinc and titanium sunscreen formulas that really do disappear on all skin tones. I used these products myself before I ever considered stocking them, and they've been thoroughly vetted for ingredient quality and performance on all skin types and tones.
If you like a traditional sunscreen lotion, we recommend our products from MD Solar Sciences. Choose between SPF 30 or 50, all in formulas that go on silky-smooth with a matte finish. They're incredibly comfortable and easy to wear for daily use, not just when you're headed to the beach.
If you're a makeup wearer and you don't want to add yet another layer of a creamy product under your foundation, we get it. In that case, we recommend the Zinc It Over Sunscreen Mist which does double duty as a makeup setting spray and a SPF 25 sunscreen in one.
No matter what type of SPF you choose, make sure to reapply following the directions if you're planning on being outside for an extended period of time. Remember: just because something has a higher SPF doesn't mean you get to avoid reapplying.
Important aside: this is not to say sun exposure is bad - it's not! Please go outside and enjoy the sun and the good weather.
Interestingly, 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure in the early morning (when the UV index is still low) can actually be beneficial for skin health, mood, and more. But if you're planning to be outside for an extended period of time when the UV index is moderate to high, it's a totally different ballgame. Protect yourself!
While our skin has a natural ability to exfoliate itself, it's not always very good or efficient at it. Stress, environmental factors like humidity, age, and more play into your skin's ability to shed layers of dead skin cells that are no longer serving a purpose in the outermost layer of your skin.
As we first move into spring, you'll notice you need to exfoliate about as often as in winter time - it will take your skin a little while to adjust to the increasing humidity before dry, itchy, and flaky skin takes a hike for good.
Once we are solidly in spring and moving closer to summer, you'll probably notice you can exfoliate a little less often.
The biggest takeaway with exfoliation? Pay attention to what your skin is asking for, don't just blindly follow an exfoliation routine.
When it comes to exfoliations, you have two choices:
Granular scrub physical exfoliant. Our Facial Exfoliant is a physical exfoliant made from fine-grain coconut sugar and 4 gentle herbal powders. If you have stubborn dry skin and flaky patches, this would be a great place to start. Mix with equal parts oil cleanser (we use our Makeup Remover) and buff onto the skin without using any pressure. A DIY option would be organic brown sugar mixed with equal parts organic jojoba oil.
Serum chemical exfoliant. The Illuminating Tonic is a chemical exfoliant made from a soothing base of chamomile tea and plant hydrosols, with gentle mandelic acid exfoliating even the most sensitive skin. This option is great for those who tend to get redness and irritation with traditional scrubs. Keep in mind: depending on the type and strength of your chemical exfoliant, you'll need to be extra diligent about SPF. Many harsher chemical exfoliants in higher concentrations can sensitize your skin to the sun. Unfortunately it's not easy to DIY a replacement for a chemical exfoliant.
Here at Bright Body we are pretty obsessed with the power of lymph drainage for skin health.
But guess what? Lymph drainage can also work wonders for your springtime allergies and sinuses.
This is the time of year when our circulation tends to be stagnant. Stagnant lymph and blood can cause a whole host of problems: acne, irritation and inflammation, clogged pores, dry and flaky skin, dull skin, itchy skin, and more. If you have any signs of spring allergies, I can guarantee that your lymphatic system is affected. Getting your lymph moving is a great way to nurture your skin and reduce allergy symptoms.
While we can address all those concerns with products, we also believe in the power of incorporating holistic routines like lymph drainage. Any lymph drainage practice - lymph massage, gua sha, or dry brushing - is fantastic, though dry brushing is especially a great choice for spring. It's the most stimulating of the aforementioned 3 methods and can really get things moving in your skin and your sinuses.
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I hope this helps you wrap your head around how to transition your skin care routine to springtime. As always, feel free to send us a note with any questions or concerns you might have!
Until next time,
Gabi Day
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