How To Update Your Skincare Routine For Spring
WRITTEN BY SAMEERA AHMED // ESTHETICIAN
PHOTOGRAPHED BY REBECCA GRANT
MODEL: BRITTANY BALL // HAIR BY CASSANDRA ZETLMAIER
After an especially harsh winter with freezing temps, snow, and slush around the country, spring is on the horizon. As temperatures slowly start to warm and we begin to emerge from the winter haze, it’s a good idea to update your skincare routine to prep for warmer, sunnier days ahead. Winter provides a good opportunity to hunker down indoors and renew the skin with more aggressive products like acids. But with the sunnier days of spring approaching and more time being spent outside, it’s time to focus on protecting the skin against sun damage and environmental pollutants. A lot of brands are talking about skin barrier repair lately, and it’s not just marketing jargon! A healthy, functioning barrier helps retain and regulate essential hydration and protects against external aggressors, like UV rays, pathogens, and pollution. Here are five tried and true, esthetician-approved options to keep your skin healthy all season long.
TIP 1: SWITCH TO A GENTLE, NON-FOAMING CLEANSER
While all those suds can feel satisfying, they’re generally harsher on the skin than non-foaming cleansers. That’s because the detergents that create foam remove the protective oils from the skin, leaving it feeling stripped, dry, and exposed to the elements. That squeaky-clean feeling many of us have grown to love is actually a sign that the skin has been stripped of its natural barrier. Instead, opt for a non-foaming option, like Osea’s Ocean Cleansing Milk. It’s a soothing, ph balanced formula that effectively removes pollutants, oil, and makeup using gentle lipids that don’t strip the skin. Apply this cleanser to dry or damp skin and massage - the soothing amino acids, seaweed, and water lily extracts will soothe and nourish. This formula rinses clean, for a super hydrating, comfortable cleanse.
TIP 2: ADD IN SOME GENTLE EXFOLIATION
Chemical exfoliants, ie. acids like AHAs or salicylic acid, can be great when incorporated into a regular skin care routine, but can thin the protective outer layer of the skin, leaving it more prone to UV damage and irritation from external pollutants. Instead, use a gentle physical exfoliant to slough away surface flakes without leaving the skin vulnerable. One Love Organic’s Rose Clay Cleansing Sponge is the perfect solution. Made of pure, biodegradable konjac plant fibers and pink kaolin clay, it gently buffs away surface debris and detoxifies skin. It’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive (or sensitized) skins, and can be used daily.
TIP 3: MASK AWAY
Hydrating masks are a great way to boost your glow, and to target any specific skin concerns. Sheet masks are an especially good option if you spent a little too much time in the sun - the sheet acts like an artificial barrier, trapping the mask’s solution onto the skin, drenching it in hydrating and soothing ingredients. Store your masks in the fridge for a refreshing boost! Orgaid’s Vitamin C Revitalizing Sheet Mask is a great option for all skin types. Its organic formula is chock-full of Vitamin C and lemon extract to boost overall brightness, tone, and radiance. It also includes a natural probiotic to boost skin’s protective microbiome, and tons of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. In addition, the special fabric of this sheet mask aids penetration of these beneficial ingredients deeper into the skin. Give yourself 10 minutes with this mask a few times a week and behold plump, dewy, bright skin!
TIP 4: DON’T FORGET TO HYDRATE
Even with the weather warming up, Colorado’s climate is still very dry, meaning we need to address the dehydration that the skin experiences. Our dry climate sucks the hydration out of skin, leading to TEWL, or trans-epidermal water loss. To maintain healthy, comfortable skin, it’s important to replace the water content that’s being lost. Face mists are a great way to provide your skin with that water content, plus a host of other hydrating, skin-loving ingredients. Maya Chia The Optimist Hydrating Essence is a fantastic formulation that boosts skin’s hydration levels while also dosing it with antioxidants, fatty acids, and nutrients like sake, White Tea, and Astaxanthin. Use after cleansing and immediately before moisturizing to trap hydration into the skin. You can also use it throughout the day to maintain that radiant, nourished glow.
TIP 5: SWITCH YOUR HEAVY MOISTURIZER FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT OIL
With warmer weather, the skin tends to hold on to hydration better so a thick cream isn’t necessary. Switch to a lighter formula to moisturize and maintain the skin’s protective barrier. And what better way to support this barrier than with an ingredient that mimics your skin’s own lipids? Squalane is just that! It’s a naturally derived, ultra-light oil that is identical to your skin’s lipids, meaning it’s great for all skin types. Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil is a pure squalane formula that leaves the skin feeling soft and nourished, boosting skin regeneration and elasticity. It’s a non-greasy oil that won’t clog pores, and dries to a soft finish, so even those with oily, acne-prone skin will love it. Use morning, night, and as needed to soothe and protect skin.
And of course, don’t forget the SPF! Look for a formula of SPF 30 or higher, with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These ingredients provide a physical shield of protection against Colorado’s harsh sun. Use it all day, every day, and enjoy the beautiful days ahead!
All products mentioned are available at Aillea Cherry Creek.
Model: @brittany.joelle
Hairstylist: @cassandra_lynn_vosshair
About the Author and Esthetician: Sameera Ahmed
A licensed esthetician and commercial makeup artist, Sameera knows beautiful skin. As owner of Signal Skin Beauty Science, a boutique spa in Denver, CO, she utilizes an integrative approach to help her clients achieve their best skin. Using a combination of medical-grade and holistic therapies, she focuses on educating her clients on building and regenerating the skin’s healthy, youthful function, rather than stripping or breaking it down. www.signalskinbeautyscience.com // @signalbeauty
About the Photographer: Rebecca Grant
Rebecca is a Los Angeles based photographer specializing in beauty and portraiture. She has photographed multiple campaigns for beauty brands like Glo Skin Beauty and Overtone Hair Color. She looks at every photoshoot as an opportunity to challenge herself with new lighting techniques, and is constantly refining her style, which is known for its crisp lighting and striking details. Rebecca’ strives to make everyone who steps in front of her lens feel confident and beautiful. www.rebeccagrantphoto.com // @rebecca_grant_studios