We can finally say that spring is officially here! We know we’re not the only ones ecstatic about the fact that freezing temperatures and limited daylight are behind us, giving way to picnic weather and open-toed shoes. As you’re swapping your sweaters for sundresses and generally spring cleaning your wardrobe, make sure to dedicate some time to clean up and update your skincare routine.

As the seasons change, so do your skincare needs. During the winter, your skincare routine probably revolved around the fact that everything is excessively dry, all the time. Ergo, to make up for the lack of moisture in the air, the first quarter of 2019 was spent meticulously layering our heaviest creams, serums, and oils. And even then, many people find that they emerge out of the harsh fall/winter with dry, cracked skin after months of excessively hot showers and dry air. How, then, do you make the transition to spring with healthy skin?

Step #1: Exfoliate the winter away

If you’re going to do something right, you’ve got to start with a good base, and your skin is no different. The cold, dry air and harsh winds of winter are none too kind to skin, which is why the first step in prepping for warmer days ahead is getting rid of the layer of dull, dry skin winter left us with.

The solution? Exfoliation! A gentle scrub or chemical exfoliator go a long way in getting your skin looking fresh and radiant. A word to the wise: moderation is your best friend when it comes to exfoliating. Over- exfoliated skin is a nightmare no one should have to live through! Instead, start small (once a week) and work your way up to a more frequent exfoliation routine (but never more than three times per week!)

Pro tip: exfoliated skin is sensitive skin. Be careful not to use too many harsh products or acids immediately after exfoliating, and double check that you’ve applied a strong sunscreen before walking out of the house. Exfoliated skin is much more photosensitive! And speaking of sunscreen…

Step #2: Turn up the SPF

As a person who cares about the well-being of your skin, you’ve been on the sunscreen game through the winter (and if you haven’t, here’s your nudge to start.) We can’t stress enough how important it is to protect your skin from harmful UV rays — especially in the spring and summer. Look for a broad-spectrum, 30 or above SPF sunscreen to add into your morning routine.

Step #2: Don’t forget about the oils

Just because the temperature is climbing doesn’t mean that you need to put away your oils. After all, your skin still needs hydration and care to stay healthy, especially because of the added sun exposure that spring and summer bring. The key here is to swap out your heavier oils for lighter, non-greasy ones like Argan Oil, which absorbs quickly into the skin.

If you’re already familiar with argan oil, it’s probably because you’ve seen it as a popular skin and hair treatment; there’s a reason that it quickly rose to the top of beauty and hair care lists. It’s a must-have in your spring and summer beauty toolkit and will help keep your skin moisturized and your hair hydrated, healthy, and not looking greasy.

Use it to tame humidity-induced frizz and protect your hair from the sun, salt water, and chlorine. It’s even lightweight enough for curly hair, leaving coily tresses smooth and frizz-free without compromising the integrity of the curl. For an added boost of hydration, heat a cup of argan oil in the microwave and treat yourself to a luxurious hot oil hair masque.

Step #3: Stay hydrated!

Getting your eight glasses of water a day is a given, but as it gets warmer and the sweat starts running, the risk of dehydration increases. Hydration starts from the inside – drink enough water and your skin will thank you! If you’re often finding yourself forgetting to drink water, consider investing in a cute water bottle. They’re the season’s hottest (or shall we say coolest) accessory.

Step #4: Match your products to the temperature

The battle of keeping makeup on in warm weather is all too real. Add in a heavy moisturizer on top of that and all of a sudden you look and feel like you just dunked your face in a vat of grease! When the temperatures start to climb, switch your winter moisturizer for a lighter one that will let your skin breathe.

On that same note, lighter makeup like tinted moisturizers and bb creams will be your best friends in the warmer months if they aren’t already. Heavier makeup not only feels increasingly heavier as the temperature rises but can also provoke breakouts. For the next five months, breathability is the name of the skincare game!

Step #5: Save the heavy hitters for the night 

While heavy oils and creams may not have a place in your morning routine, you can still get your hydration and replenishment on at night so that you wake up with supple skin after a morning shower (you’ll want to rinse some of the product off before starting your day!) Here’s one of our favorite nighttime routines:

• Apply a generous amount of cracked heel cream to your feet after a long day outside so they stay sandal-ready! If you can, put a pair of socks on over the cream for maximum moisture retention. In the morning, use a pumice stone to buff away dead skin.
• To replenish your hair after a day in the harsh sun, apply a generous amount of coconut oil as a masque to be washed out in the morning. Note: cover pillowcases with a towel to avoid oil stains.
• To keep the sun’s effects to a minimum, apply a thin layer of Vitamin E Body Oil all over your body immediately after being outside. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, which work to neutralize damage-causing free radicals. It also can help relieve sunburns faster!

Step #6: Spring clean your beauty cabinet­

Moment of truth: when’s the last time you washed your makeup brushes? If you had to think about it for a little while, it’s probably because it’s been too long.

When you’re busy spring cleaning your home, don’t overlook your beauty products and tools! Make a day of it and wash your makeup brushes, hair brushes, clean off any styling tools, and throw out any product that’s been in your drawer for entirely too long. As a rule of thumb, any beauty product that’s over a year old should be thrown out, especially creams and serums.

Fun fact: Most beauty products have a period-after-opening (PAO) symbol on their labels that look like a container with the lid off with a number on it. That number is the product’s shelf life! Check the back of your product to make sure you are using it within the specified time frame.