How to Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine
The blossoms are starting to flower, daffodils are poking their way up after a Winter underground, the birds are singing… Hope is in the air and Spring is on its way. Spring is the typical time for us to declutter and clean out our homes, parting with the old and making way for the new. It’s also a great time to take a good hard look at your skincare habits and take some new steps to ensure fresher and brighter skin into the warmer months.
Review Your Skincare Collection
It’s important to regularly review your skincare and see what’s working for you and what’s not. Now is the time to dig into your bathroom cupboards and toilet bags and see what is actually worth keeping. We recommend you pull everything out to see what you really have stashed away and throw out any products that have expired.
On average cleansers, moisturisers and serums should only be used for up to a year. Any products that have changed in colour and odour signify oxidation, and are best avoided. If in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution - as old skincare can harbour germs and bacteria. Be honest and throw out any products you haven’t touched in a while.
Once you have a clean slate it’s a great idea to book a skin consultation to make sure you are using the right products for your age and skin concerns, and invest in products that work for you. We offer free no-obligation skincare consultations which involve an in-depth assessment of your skin and a recommended prescription of products and treatments. We can help guide a fresh springtime routine to transform a dull Winter complexion into healthy, glowing skin.
Wear Sunscreen
Longer days mean longer sunshine hours and more UV exposure. Sun damage is the biggest cause of ageing and puts you at risk for skin damage and cancers. No matter the season, we can’t emphasise enough how important it is to make SPF part of your daily skincare routine. If you skimped on sun protection during Winter, Spring is a great time to kickstart this habit. Look for moisturisers or foundations with an SPF of at least 30 and if you spend lots of time outdoors look to up that to a SPF50. A handy tip is to keep sunscreen in your handbag and in your car so you never find yourself caught out. We stock a range of sunscreens at Equipoise which you can check out here.
Prevent Pigment
Sun exposure also brings out any pigmentation in the skin. Now is a great time to be using brightening serums to target pigment specifically. We suggest you look for products containing Vitamin C and Niacinamide which block production and reduce the spread of pigment in the skin. Niacinamide (also known as B3) supports your skin’s barrier, brightens dark spots, reduces congestion by balancing oil and evens skin texture. Vitamin C can help fade marks of hyperpigmentation and create a more even-toned complexion while protecting skin from environmental aggressors. As well as wearing sunscreen you can also help prevent pigment by avoiding direct sunlight and wearing a wide-brimmed hat when outside.
We recommend Ultraceuticals’ Vitamin C range and Ultra B Hydrating Serum which is enriched with anti-ageing Vitamin B3 (niacinamide).
Go Bottle Bronzed
Now your winter skin is coming out of hibernation it can be tempting to throw your pale pins in the sunshine and get a tan. However, a much better solution is to embrace the bottle bronze.
A natural tan occurs through UV exposure which damages DNA inside the cells in the outer layers of skin and triggers the body to produce melanin or pigment. Tanning products have come a long way and have made a natural glow both affordable and achievable.
Give your skin a gentle exfoliation to remove any Winter dryness, lather up with a lovely moisturiser and pop on some fake tan instead to save your skin from harmful UV rays. If you’re tanning at home we recommend you use a tanning mitt for even application and suggest you moisturise frequently to help achieve a long-lasting tan.
Spring is a time for growth and transformation. Start fresh this Spring – your skin will thank you.
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If you liked this blog, head over to our Blog page to read more of our helpful skincare guides! If you live in Auckland and are new to the world of facials, get in contact with us or make a facial appointment here.
We offer free no-obligation skincare consultations which involve an in-depth assessment of your skin and a recommended prescription of products and treatments.
Alternatively, head over to our online store for some skincare retail therapy (we have some beautiful gift ideas too)!