Spring Skin Care Tips

Let me guess- you’re in need of some Spring skin care tips. Just like the fragile, new buds bursting through the rich soil, your skin is in a sensitive transition right now. The warmer temperatures and increased time outdoors can lead to more frequent breakouts from oil, sweat and dirt. And all the fresh pollen floating in the air can trigger inflammation and irritation, making your cheeks flush from rosy to rosacea. 

Yes, the only place winter is still in style is in the final season of Game of Thrones. Your skincare routine needs to adapt to the changing climate so you don’t start looking like a white walker. 😉

But never fear! I’ve got some advice on how to take your beauty routine from the dead of winter to the garden of glow this springtime. Check out my Top 5 Springtime Skin Care Tips below!

1) Keep It Minimal

While your skin may still need some perking up from the dry winter damage, you don’t want to overdo it with the hydration or cake on products. Just like you would switch out the clothes in your closet as the weather changes, you want to do the same with your beauty products.

A thick shea butter is like a wool overcoat, so instead, start thinking flowy maxi dress — in the form of a facial mist.  These add moisture to your skin, cool you down, and smell delicious. Your skin can absorb the nutrients and H2O while still being able to breath in the sweet Spring air. I really like the Hydrating Accelerator by Josh Rosebrook. And sometimes simple is simply awesome, so give Heritage Products Rose Water Mist a try. This rose water spray has only rose essence and vortexed and magnetized water. The latter ingredient is said to promote good vibes, which might not be scientifically backed but is certainly a nice claim.

P.S. If you’re prone to eczema or rosacea, avoid any products that contain strong acids like glycolic acid until you’re adjusted to your new routine.

2) Beef Up Your SPF

More sunshine means a greater risk of sun damage. While you should be wearing a SPF every day, no matter what shapes the clouds are in, this seasonal switch is a good reminder to start using stronger sun protection again.

Opt for a mineral sunscreen. It’s better for the environment and for your health too. Instead of chemicals that seep into your skin, mineral sunscreens (which contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) create a physical barrier on top of your skin. While these may be a little harder to rinse off at night, they are a far cry from the 80s version that looked like neon face paint.   

You may need to do a little trial and error to find the brand you like best, but a great place to start is the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Sunscreens (EWG), which rates hundreds of options for safety.

I recommend Coola MIneral Face Sunscreen,  Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+ (it smells like apples!) and top rated Suntegrity Products.

3) Don’t Brush This Off

While you’re Spring Cleaning your home, don’t forget about your makeup brushes! Makeup, dirt and oil builds up on them over time.

I’ve told you before how coconut oil is an amazing makeup remover and a potent disinfectant, so you can make a DIY brush cleaner with just a little liquified coconut oil. Gently massage it through the bristles and then rinse with warm water. You can also use a mild cleanser like castile soap or baby shampoo to rinse, if you want.

4) What Are You Hiding, Honey?

This is a perfect time of year to indulge in a few gentle plant-based facial masks to slough away dead skin cells, soothe irritation and pump up your skin with antioxidants.

Here is my recipe for a Coconut Oil Coffee Scrub.

INGREDIENTS

•  2-3 TBS of organic ground coffee
•  ½ cup of organic whole brown sugar
•  Half cup organic coconut oil (do not use melted coconut oil, make sure it is in solid form, if not, put in fridge beforehand!)
•  ½ cup of organic liquid castile soap (I love Dr. Bronners, if you have sensitive skin, use the baby castile soap.)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a high speed, powerful blender, mix sugar and coconut oil until they are slightly blended. Make sure you don’t mix for too long or you will melt the coconut oil and break the sugar granules down.
2. Scoop this coconut oil/sugar mixture into a stainless steel or aluminum bowl, then put in a another bowl that is filled with cold ice water.
3. Whip the scrub with an electric mixer until the scrub is fluffy and creamy.
4. Add the ground coffee and liquid soap until they are just combined.
5. Put the scrub in a mason jar. Will keep for 1-2 months.
6. If it’s hot in your place, keep it in the fridge. Otherwise you can leave it at room temperature.
7. You can use this daily or weekly on your bod before you shower, and especially on areas with cellulite. Coffee works wonders! You’ll get about 5-6 uses from one batch.

NOTE:  Wash this scrub down the drain with hot water and a natural cleaner if it leaves your shower too greasy. Cold water will only harden the oil.

Another option:

Manuka honey not only tastes awesome, it’s also known for it’s amazing antibacterial, antibiotic properties — and it’s great for your face! In addition to soothing irritation, it also increases collagen production, aids with reducing dark spots and locks in moisture.

Here is an easy face mask recipe from MindBodyGreen:

1. Spread a tablespoon of Manuka honey over your clean face (avoiding the eyes).
2. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
3. Pat your face dry and apply your favorite moisturizer or facial oil.
4. For additional skin-brightening, acne-fighting benefits, mix the Manuka honey with a pinch of turmeric before applying.”

5) Love Your Liver

If you want to blast your breakouts, you need to start taking better care of your liver. As one of the main organs that rids your body of toxins, any disturbances in its functionality can show up on your face in the form of patchy skin, rashes and zits.

Slip some bitter greens into your salads and breakfast bowls, like kale, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and collard greens, to protect this vital organ. Check out the ah-mazing list of benefits from just a little bit of bitterness: they “act as a gentle diuretic to purify your blood, cleanse your system, assist in weight reduction; cleanse your skin, eliminate acne, improve your bowel function, prevent or lower high blood pressure, prevent anemia, lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half, eliminate or drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup by cutting the heaviness of fatty foods, and, at the same time, have no negative side effects and selectively act on only what ails you.” Yowza!

Spring is a good time to start eating more tasty greens anyway, but now you have even more incentive to mix it up! And for more gentle liver detoxing, you can superpower your green smoothies by adding in chlorella, spirulina or barley wheatgrass.

How do you switch up your skincare with the seasons? How does your skin react to the warmer spring weather and amped up activity? Let me know in the comments below!

 

LOVE + magical skincare,