It’s Spring, what skincare routine are you adapting?

Spring, you already noticed. The days are getting longer, the crocuses are blooming and it’s getting a little warmer. Winter is coming to an end and your thick scarf and heavy parka will soon be exchanged for a lighter coat.

Just like changing your clothes, your skin care routine changes. The dry, cold air outside and the warm, dry heating heat inside can have major effects on your skin during the winter months.

Winter and our skin, what’s happening?

The winter cold, wind, little sun, heating and lower humidity, possibly that you shower longer and warmer or bathe more often have influences on our skin barrier. This leads to reduced hydration of your top layer of your epidermis, the acidity (pH) of your skin rises and the lower temperature makes you sweat less. In winter, less ceramide is also formed in your sebum, a lipid (fat) that consists of 50% of your sebum composition. This results in your skin becoming drier. More on: what you need to know if you have dry skin.

Itchy, scaly and dry, why? Due to the rising acidity of the skin, changes in your sebum composition cause the mutual cohesion of the stratum corneum cells (upper skin layer cells) to decrease. Your skin will first flake and if it continues, it will become drier due to water loss from your skin and then it will become itchy and red. We also call this asteatotic eczema or winter itch. More on: do I have dry skin or eczema.

An optimal well-hydrated top layer of skin has 10-15% moisture, below 10% moisture the skin becomes drier and flakes.

How do you prepare your skin for spring?

At the end of the winter period, your skin can look duller and the glow is less. To make it spring ready.

1. Exfoliate your skin to remove superficial dead skin cells. This ensures that your skin looks fresher. If you use a self-tanner, the self-tanner will take better and look more even if the skin has been scrubbed before.

If you have a normal or a oily skin then you can exfoliate 2-3 times a week. Is the skin sensitive limit it to a maximum of 2 x per week.

There are several ways to exfoliate your skin. 1. sugar, salt or plastic microbeats scrubs – the latter is less sustainable and bad for the environment 2. fruit acids – AHA, BHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and 3. brushes.

Brushes work well, but it can irritate the skin more. For those with sensitive skin, build it up gently and start with 1 x per week and with low concentrated fruit acid such as BHA.

2. A different season, needs a different skin care, the somewhat thicker emollentia such as, ointments or Vaseline can be replaced by a somewhat lighter skin care.

Sun protection:

The sun’s power is getting stronger, from April it will attract more and UVB rays will increase in strength. There are two types of UV rays, UVA and UVB. UVA rays are present all year round with relatively equal intensity and pass through clouds and penetrate windows. UVA rays cause Aging of the skin, is always present and Asymptomatic, you do not feel it on the skin.

UVB rays gain strength from April and UVB is weaker in the autumn and winter period in the Netherlands. UVB causes more skin burning from April, including skin cancer and ensures skin’s own vitamin D production in the skin in contrast to UVA rays. Your skin’s own vitamin D production is better processed in the body. So if you use a day cream with only SPF, it doesn’t cover UVA rays, SPF only says about the degree of protection against UVB rays. So a sun protection with both UVA and UVB protection in the spring period.

Other spring skin care tips?

Bakuchiol is an option for evening serums with vitamin A (retinol) or if your skin is easily irritated by vitamin A. Bakuchiol is a component found in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. This oil extract comes from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant. It has traditionally been used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Research shows that Bakuchiol can prevent skin aging. It is a good alternative to vitamin A acid. Although Bakuchiol and vitamin A have no similarity in chemical structure, both components stimulate the same gene expression: they activate collagen stimulation and can counteract the formation of pigment spots. Bakuchiol causes less skin irritation than vitamin A. Especially for people with sensitive skin, vitamin A can irritate the skin. Peptide is also an alternative for people with sensitive skin.

Discover more about Bakuchiol

Against rosacea and acne, look for products with niacinamide (Vitamin B3), which reduce pigment formation by 35-68%, inhibit inflammation and increase skin resistance and barrier.

Against pigment spots, look for ingredients with vitamin C, niacinamide, vitamin A, arbutin, kojic acid, resveratrol, emblica and fruit acids. More on pigment and our new Targeted Pigment serum

In the spring period, the sun allergy starts for people who are predisposed to it. The skin is not yet used to the sun and will react to it. If you suffer from sun allergy, build it up slowly by going outside (light habituation). Do use sun protection for this.

The basis of good skin care?

The basis is skin barrier recovery and ensure the correct acidity of your skin, which is around 5. Good acidity ensures a better skin barrier, less chance of skin infections, eczema and an Asian study also showed fewer wrinkles if the skin acidity is good. More on the proper acidity of your skin.

For the evening, a light-feeling cream or serums. Use a sunscreen during the day and don’t underestimate UVA rays. A cloudy or rainy day, its UVA rays are also present.

Make sure you cleanse your skin at least once a day. If you use acne, makeup, then 2 x a day is better with a mild cleanser.

And what should you not do?

• While exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and prepares the skin to better absorb products, it’s important to do it in moderation. For sensitive skin, it is recommended to exfoliate a maximum of 1-2 times a week. Excessive exfoliation can lead to over-exfoliation, which damages the skin barrier. This can result in symptoms such as dry, irritated and red skin, a burning sensation, an unhealthy shine without the use of a care cream, and in some cases even pustules. Balance is key and do not strain the skin too much to prevent damage.

• Ingredients that are too highly concentrated can irritate the skin. Highly concentrated active ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, AHAs (such as glycolic acid), and salicylic acid can irritate the skin, especially in sensitive or tanned skin types. Vitamin C above 20% can cause redness and a burning sensation. Retinol in concentrations above 1% often leads to dryness and flaking. AHAs, such as glycolic acid, stimulate cell turnover, but concentrations above 15% can damage the skin barrier and increase sensitivity. Salicylic acid, a BHA that works deep into the pores, can cause dryness and irritation above 2%. In tanned skin, irritation from these substances can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) because melanin production responds quickly to damage. This results in dark spots that are difficult to treat, especially when exposed to sunlight. To avoid irritation, start with lower concentrations and increase use gradually. Always test products on a small area of skin and combine active ingredients with a daily sunscreen to protect the skin. For a gentler approach, consider alternatives such as bakuchiol instead of retinol. These steps help to safely reap the benefits of active ingredients without overloading the skin.

• Using vitamin A derivatives such as retinol during the day can make the skin more susceptible to irritation from sunlight exposure. Retinol stimulates cell renewal and makes the skin thinner and more sensitive, which means that the skin is less protected against UV rays. When retinol is exposed to sunlight it can cause:

1. Increased Irritation: UV radiation can increase the irritating effect of retinol, resulting in redness, dryness and a burning sensation.
2. Risk of Hyperigmentation: Due to increased sensitivity, the skin can develop pigment spots more quickly when exposed to sunlight.
3. Increased Irritation: UV radiation can increase the irritating effect of retinol, resulting in redness, dryness and a burning sensation.

For these reasons, it is recommended to apply retinol products only in the evening, followed by good sun protection (minimum SPF 30) during the day. This protects the skin against UV radiation and maximizes its appearance

• No tanning bed in the spring to supposedly let the skin get used to it! Tanning beds mainly give UVA light. This UVA does cause a brown discoloration, but not the thickening of the epidermis. UVB rays do provide a thicker epidermis, but too much can lead to sunburn.

Be aware of medications that can cause photosensitivity

tablet for high blood pressure: Hydrochlorothiazide

Cardiac arrhythmia: Amiodarone

Antibiotics: Doxycycline, Minocycline

Anti-fungal: Voriconazole, Terbinafine

Anti-malaria: Hydroxychloroquine

Immunosuppression: Methotrexate, Azathioprine

FAQ: about spring skin care

How often should I apply my SPF in the spring?

It’s important to reapply your SPF every two hours when outdoors, especially after activities that involve sweating or contact with water, such as swimming. This is because sunscreen becomes less effective over time due to exposure to sunlight, moisture and perspiration. Even on cloudy days, this is important because UVA rays can penetrate clouds and damage your skin. Use a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply a generous amount to optimally protect your skin.

Can I continue to use my winter products in the spring?

Not always. In winter, heavy, rich moisturizers are often necessary to protect the skin from dry air and cold. In spring, when humidity increases and skin often becomes oilier due to rising temperatures, these products can feel too heavy and clog pores, leading to blemishes. Instead, opt for a lighter, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates your skin without leaving a greasy residue. This helps keep your skin fresh and balanced during the warmer months.

Why do I suffer more from skin irritations in the spring?

During spring, the skin is often exposed to new environmental factors that can cause irritation. Pollen and allergens in the air can lead to increased sensitivity or even allergic reactions, especially in people with sensitive skin. In addition, changing temperatures and increased sun exposure place more strain on the skin barrier. Increased sebum production in response to warmer temperatures can also contribute to pore clogging and irritation. Use soothing products with ingredients like aloe vera or panthenol to soothe and protect your skin from these triggers.

Which exfoliant is suitable for spring?

For spring, a gentle chemical exfoliant such as lactic acid is an excellent choice. Lactic acid is a mild alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently removes dead skin cells without irritating the skin. This makes it ideal for spring, when skin can be more sensitive due to weather changes. Avoid harsh scrubs or strong acids, which can damage the skin barrier and increase sensitivity to sunlight. Remember to always use sunscreen after exfoliating, as exfoliation temporarily makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Updated: december 2024

While you are here

The warmth of the sun certainly feels good on our skin and also produces vitamin D. But it can cause damage to our dermis. Sun-damaged skin such as pigment spots, fine lines, burst blood vessels and actinic keratoses (precursor of skin cancer) does not mean that it is hopeless. A complete recovery of the skin is not possible, but we have tips on what you can do to prevent worse. More on: sun-damaged skin, can you repair it at all