April showers bring May flowers, and hopefully, a change in your skincare routine from winter’s heavy moisturizers and dry skin hydrating daily regimens to lighter moisturizers, vitamin C serums, stronger sunscreens, and other springtime skincare products. In this blog, you can learn more about the ideal skincare routine for spring as well as our top recommended products for spring skincare.

The Ideal Spring Skincare Routine

If you have a good basic skincare routine that works well, it should be easy to make a few small tweaks to transition between seasons. During the winter, skincare routines should be focused on protecting skin from harsh, drying cold and snow outdoors and heating systems indoors. Spring skincare should be a little lighter and include more products to protect skin from sun damage. While many skincare products are focused on the face, don’t forget to appropriately care for the whole body as you transition into spring. Use a gentle cleanser each day, moisturize directly after bathing or showering, and protect your skin by applying sunblock to any areas that will be exposed to sunlight and reapply regularly as needed.

When it comes to your daily face care routine for spring, we recommend the following basic morning and evening routines:

Morning Skincare

• Cleanser – Use a gentle cleanser to remove dead skin cells, oil, and grime from the face.
• Exfoliator – Use a gentle micro-abrasive or chemical exfoliant at least a few times a week to ensure good skin cell turnover.
• Toner – A toner can help to remove any residue left behind after cleansing, and it will open pores prior to applying serums and treatments.
• Serums & treatments – During the spring and summer, serums with vitamin C offer an antioxidant boost to protect skin from the sun’s harsh, damaging UVA/UVB rays. You should also make sure to apply any treatments for chronic skin health issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis that may flare up due to the change in weather.
• Moisturizer – Rather than the thicker moisturizers used to protect skin from the harsh winter weather, a lighter daytime moisturizer may be preferable, especially if your skin tends to be oily or you live in an area that is very humid during the spring. You should also use a lightweight eye serum. To avoid “allergy shiners” dark circles under the eyes that are common in the spring, look for eye serums with vitamin C and other brightening agents.
• Sunscreen – Everyone should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 daily. If you’re planning to spend more time outdoors enjoying the spring weather or you have skin that’s prone to burning, you may want to use a higher SPF sunscreen and reapply more frequently.

Evening Skincare

During the winter, evening skincare routines are all about replenishing the moisture lost during the day and healing any dryness or other damage from cold winter weather. In the springtime, your evening skincare routine is also about healing and rejuvenation. Instead of cold weather and drying, nighttime skincare in the spring is focused on preventing sun damage and promoting good skin cell turnover.

For your basic evening skincare routine during the spring months, we recommend the following:

• Cleanser – Remove any cosmetics, using a makeup remover or other product that will help to break down cosmetics, so you don’t need to scrub your face. Then, use your gentle cleanser to remove any remaining oils or grime.
• Serums & treatments – Nighttime serums for the spring may include hyaluronic acid or ingredients that support skin cell turnover. Nighttime treatments for skin health concerns should be determined with your dermatologist, but these may be the same products used during the day.
• Moisturizer – Use a thicker moisturizer for the evening. You may not need to use a product as heavy as those used for your fall and winter evening skincare routine, but they should be deeply moisturizing to hydrate skin overnight. Nighttime is also a great time to apply lip masques and hydrating eye creams.

Don’t Forget Your Skin Cancer Self-Exams

In addition to keeping up with an effective skincare routine, you should also perform skin cancer self-exams regularly. Some people may be able to perform these self-exams every few months, but for those with lighter skin, a history of skin cancer, or other risk factors, monthly self-exams are essential. Performing a skin cancer exam at home is quick and easy. Simply look carefully at the skin from the top of your head all the way to the bottoms of your feet and note any moles, freckles, or other irregularities in the appearance of the skin. Don’t forget to check the scalp, fingernail and toenail beds, and other hard-to-see areas. You should also receive a professional skin exam with a dermatologist once a year to confirm that these irregularities are not anything to be concerned about. You should also contact your dermatologist if any of the spots on your skin show signs of skin cancer. If you can remember your ABCDEs, you can spot the most common warning signs of skin cancer:

• A – Asymmetry – The spot is different on one side
• B – Border – The outside of the spot is not smooth and even
• C – Color – The spot varies in color within itself and/or compared with other, similar spots
• D – Diameter – The spot is larger in diameter than a standard pencil eraser
• E – Evolution – The spot is changing in any way, especially if it changes quickly

Recommended Skincare Products to Transition from Winter to Spring

As you get ready to transition your skincare routine from winter to spring, we recommend considering the products discussed below.

Mild Cleansers

You want to find a good cleanser that will remove dirt, oil, grime, and allergens from the skin without stripping too much moisture. Our favorites include:

• EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser – This lightweight foam cleanser uses a combination of enzymes and amino acids to gently lift away makeup, dirt, grime, and impurities from the skin. It is safe and effective for daily use on all skin types.
• SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser – This is another multi-purpose product safe for all skin types that combines a cleanser with a gentle exfoliant for improved skin texture and healthy skin cell turnover.

Water-Based Serums

Serums are skincare products that people often struggle to utilize well. It can be difficult to find the best serums for your skin health needs and goals. Below, we outline some of the best options to keep skin looking and feeling great during the spring months:

• Revision Revox 7 – If your eyes, forehead, and mouth are showing expression lines that don’t necessarily snap back after you smile, frown, or raise a brow, the Revision Revox 7 serum may be just what you’re looking for. Formulated with seven different peptides, this product helps to smooth and tighten skin, and it’s safe for all skin types.

• Revision C+ Correcting Complex – As we mentioned above, you can’t go wrong with vitamin C serums in the spring. This antioxidant serum helps prevent damage from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays, and it can brighten skin and achieve a more even overall skin tone and texture. This product is safe for all skin types.

Lightweight Moisturizer

During the spring when the weather is a bit more humid, most people can switch to a lighter moisturizer to avoid any excess oil or residue buildup on the skin. You can learn a bit more about our favorite springtime moisturizers below:

• EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer – This is a great morning moisturizer. It helps to trap moisture as well as stimulate the body’s natural moisture systems to keep skin hydrated. This product is great for all skin types, including oily and acneic skin.
• EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer – This nighttime product works well with the EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer. It’s a bit thicker to help soothe and rehydrate skin. Like the morning formula, this evening moisturizer can be used by people of all skin types.
• Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion – This moisturizer is formulated for normal and oily skin types to provide adequate, balanced hydration. It also helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and reverse other signs of aging.
• Revision DEJ Face Cream – This is another moisturizer that’s formulated to improve the appearance of aging skin, but it’s a gentler product that’s great for people of all skin types.

Higher SPF Sunscreen

With warmer spring weather comes more time out in the sun. Before your soak up those extra UVA and UVB rays, don’t forget to apply your sunscreen. Dermatologists recommend a sunblock with at least SPF 30 every day, but with warmer weather or longer time in the sun, you may want to use higher SPF sunscreens.

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – Specifically formulated for sensitive skin, this oil-free product helps soothe and protect skin from sun damage. This sunblock is an SPF 46, and it’s safe for use by those with sensitive, acneic, hyperpigmented, and rosacea-prone skin.
• Revision Intellishade Original Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 – This broad-spectrum sunscreen has an SPF of 45. It offers a subtle tint that seamlessly matches the skin tone. Lightweight and hydrating, this product is formulated to fight fine lines and wrinkles, protect skin from sun damage, and deliver healthier skin.
• ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Actinica – This innovative sunscreen product is ultra-lightweight and fast-absorbing. It offers deep hydration and an SPF of 50+, and the easily absorbed formula makes it ideal for everyday use.
• Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 – This is one of our highest SPF sunscreens, and in addition to protecting skin from sun damage, the reflective tint will leave your skin looking flawless. The weightless fluid is easily absorbed and perfectly safe for all skin types even acneic or sensitive skin. This sunblock is also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Schedule a Trip to See Your Dermatologist

Spring is a great time for your annual, professional skin exam. During these yearly visits, a dermatologist will carefully examine your skin for any signs of skin health concerns, answer questions you may have, review your daily care routine, and offer treatment or skincare recommendations. The U.S. Dermatology Partners team curated the list of recommended products available at Derm Skincare, and they can help you make the most of your daily skincare routine. If you’re interested in working with a U.S. Dermatology Partners location near you, get started today by completing our online scheduling request form.