This article has been syndicated from Charmed by Camille, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.
Ah – spring cleaning. Maybe you love it, maybe you don’t. When I was younger, I actually used to dread this time of year. But as I’ve gotten older, I’m going to be really honest here, I kind of love it. I’ll spring clean everything — my closet, the bathroom, the kitchen pantry. Heck, I’ll even spring clean the baseboards. But did you know you also need to spring clean your skincare routine?
Fear not: if you didn’t know this, it’s cool. Three and a half years of working at a skincare company taught me this, otherwise, I’d be totally clueless. Here’s the 4-1-1 on how to spring clean and refresh your skincare routine just in time for the warmer weather.
Exfoliate your face AND body
During the winter, we accumulate more dead skin cells because our skin is dry. In the spring, the humidity increases, making skin less sensitive to exfoliation. Regular exfoliation helps turn over dead skin cells (aka the secret to a brighter complexion) but also gets rid of flaky skin and dirt that can cause impurities and breakouts.
Switch up your moisturizer
As your skin starts to get relief from dryness, you’re going to need less heavy creams and fewer layers. Unless your skin is naturally very dry, opt for something lighter than what you use in the winter that’s maybe water-based or more of a gel cream.
Ditch retinoids
Retinoids (or retinol, the over the counter version) increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Look, the sun is present every day, but as the clouds disappear and the UV rays become stronger, you probably want to shelf this product for the fall to avoid burns or other sun damage that could get accelerated from this power ingredient.
Be (even more) diligent with your SPF
You should wear SPF every single day, even if it’s not sunny out. But, the sun shining should serve as a daily reminder for you in case you’ve been forgetting it. Since I’m a bit on the oily side, I use a lightweight SPF. It’s a small bottle, but a little goes a long way. On days where I go makeup free, I’ll use a tinted SPF.
Bring on the antioxidants
Better weather means you’re probably going to be outside more, and even with SPF, your skin is still exposed to free radicals. Help prevent aging from pollution and other elements by increasing your use of skincare with antioxidant ingredients. This can range from any kind of product from moisturizer to a serum or special SPF.
Try a facial
No matter how diligent you are with your skincare routine, there’s nothing quite like expert hands to clear out your skin and give it a deep cleaning. Start this season with a clean slate, literally, and book a facial so you have a fresh canvas for your spring products.
Check expiration dates
Bacteria accumulates in anything opened given the right amount of time, so it’s always a good idea to take inventory of your items and what you have or haven’t used in a while. The rule of thumb is one year for skincare, so you’re probably due for a refresh. But in general, if something looks, feels, or smells off, even if it’s under the 1-year mark, toss it.
Updating all of your skincare products is honestly so refreshing. Plus, this gives you a chance to try that new product you’ve been eyeing at Lush or Sephora. Time to spring clean!
Read the full post here.
Are you an aspiring fashion influencer or blogger? Apply to join Her Campus’s community of millennial and Gen Z influencers today!
Follow @InfluenceHerCollective on Instagram.