Spring Skincare

Congrats to your skin for surviving winter (barely). Now, all it needs is some tender loving care for the sweet transition into spring. But, before we put away the down coats, let’s look in the mirror and assess how we’re doing.

In the Spring, temperatures and ambient humidity rise, causing sebaceous glands to become more active. Board-certified nurse practitioner, Tama Tran, tells Vogue. “This can lead to more oil production, clogged pores, or breakouts for some. The skin is essentially recalibrating, which is why adjusting hydration levels and reintroducing gentle exfoliation can help maintain balance.” Due to the revival of skin’s processes, spring is a great time to introduce lighter products, slow product application, and reassess the concentration of active ingredients.

Here’s a breakdown of some insights, swaps, and tips to best support your complexion through the seasonal change:

Barrier Repair

We’ve all been told, time and time again, that cold, dry air zaps our skin of moisture and life. And, although occlusives feel nourishing in the dark, cold months, they can often mask symptoms of a compromised barrier without treating it. So, come springtime, not only are we looking for a seasonal refresh, but we’re also harnessing a damn-near perfect biological opportunity to fully reset the skin barrier. Let’s break it down:

Temperature

• • • • Temperature plays a crucial role in barrier function. Cold temperatures slow cell turnover, meaning our skin barrier’s natural renewal process gets super sluggish during the colder months. As temperatures rise to 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, circulation improves, keratinocyte activity picks up, and the production of ceramides and fatty acids renews. All to say: the skin is more capable of repairing itself in May than it was in January.

Humidity

• • • • Skin’s moisture gradient is most stable around 40-60% humidity. Higher humidity reduces trans epidermal water loss because the skin barrier doesn’t have to work as hard to retain moisture. This available ‘bandwidth’ goes back towards cellular repair. 

Signs that your skin barrier is less-than-enthused and compromised:

• • • Feelings of tightness
    • Redness
    • Sensitivity
    • Products causing a stinging sensation

• • • Ceramides
    • Fatty Acids, Linoleic Acid
    • Beta-Glucan
    • Niacinamide

Ingredient Swaps

Spring cleaning, vanity edition. There’s something primal about the “out with the old, in with the new” mentality as the daffodils bloom. And, because our skin is deeply responsive to seasonal shifts, our product lineup can greatly affect how our complexion responds to the change in temperature. Here are some ingredient swaps to consider for spring:

• • Swap heavy emollients for lighter, humectant-forward formulas: hyaluronic acid serums, water creams, lighter-weight formulas.
    
  • Choose surfactant-based cleansers: gentle gel cleansers, cream cleansers.
  • Opt for breathable textures: squalane, ceramide emulsion.
  • Swap winter actives for gentler alternatives: PHAs, lower concentration retinol.

Curveball: how we layer products should also change in spring. As ambient humidity rises, products absorb faster, penetrate more readily, and interact more intensely. The best rule of thumb is waiting 60-90 seconds between each layer of skincare to allow products to absorb and settle without unnecessary interaction. Here are some additional tips for layering products:

• • • Humectants: because there’s more moisture in the air to draw from, humectants are working more effectively in spring than they do in drier temps.
    • Actives: Timing is everything. Potent actives are hitting the skin more efficiently, meaning concentration and frequency require more consideration in warmer temps. Skincare users may notice a heightened sensitivity to active ingredients than they did during winter months. Double-check that all actives in your lineup play nicely together for the warmer seasons. For example, niacinamide and vitamin c can interact and produce nicotinic acid that causes flushing in sensitive skin when absorption rates are higher.
    • Emollients: In humid conditions, heavier creams layered over serums tend to pill more easily. Slowing down between steps or swapping for a lighter moisturizer is a great solution.

After a long, cold season, it’s high-time for a little refresh. As our sebaceous glands reactivate, let’s all bask in the magic of the skin-nature connection. If your team is interested in building a spring ritual kit, hit up a member of our sales team to concoct something special.