Should you change your skincare routine for spring?

When it comes to treating any skin concern, our dermatology experts always recommend sticking with a consistent routine to see results. But, as the seasons change, our skin is exposed to new environmental stressors which can derail progress along the way. Read on to learn what happens to our skin in spring and which active ingredients and products our experts recommend to support it every step of the way.

How spring weather affects the skin

The standout change that our skin will face in spring is more sun exposure. While it is an undeniable mood booster after winter, the sun’s UV rays can have a less positive impact on our skin’s health. In fact, UV exposure accounts for around 80% of skin damage. (1) The sun’s UV radiation can cause skin ageing (also known as photoageing) like sagging, wrinkling, hyperpigmentation and sunburn that causes DNA damage which can lead to skin cancer. (2) Spending time outdoors in spring requires evidence-backed protection to keep your skin safe and looking its best.

If you have combination or oily skin, you may also notice it becomes shinier in spring. This is because the warmer weather can cause the skin to produce more oil (sebum). If this is you, it’s important to rebalance your skin barrier’s moisture levels, vital for healthy barrier function no matter your skin type. Think about switching to oil-free, gel formulas in your daily routine that include moisture-locking ingredients like niacinamide, centella asiatica, glycerin and panthenol. These actives will help regulate sebum production without overloading the skin with products that are too rich or may clog pores.

More warm weather product swaps to try

Vitamin C

Not only is Vitamin C considered the gold standard ingredient to brighten the skin, it is also a powerful antioxidant which helps protect against photoageing by boosting the protection of your sunscreen. It also supports collagen production – which helps keep the skin firm – and decreases excess melanin production, which helps address hyperpigmentation. (3) L-Ascorbic acid is the most potent and studied type of Vitamin C in skincare, with the best results. But it is a famously unstable product which breaks down and loses efficacy when exposed to light and air. Our Vitamin C 15%: Fresh Batch Ascorbic Acid comes in an airtight pump, and in a one-month dose, to keep it fresh, effective – and to make sure none of your precious product goes to waste. We’ve also added ferulic acid and Vitamin E to our formula to further help stabilise the ascorbic acid and double its protection against photodamage (4).

Sunscreen

Our skin is exposed to two different types of ultraviolet rays from the sun – UVA and UVB. UVA rays are the ones which cause photoageing and hyperpigmentation (often referred to as sun spots or age spots). These rays penetrate deep into the skin and produce the free radicals which cause inflammation and some DNA damage. UVB rays cause sunburn and the breakdown of our DNA strands – these are the UV rays damage associated with skin cancer.
If you’re not already wearing sunscreen every day year-round – and yes, even indoors – then now is the time to incorporate it into your routine. Even if your make-up or moisturiser contains sunscreen, it usually doesn’t have enough UVA and UVB filters to adequately protect your skin. Plus, it’s unlikely you’ll use enough of that product (two finger-lengths) to get enough protection. Broad spectrum sunscreen protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Our SPF 50 Photodamage Defence Sunscreen helps protect the skin from photoageing, pigmentation and sun damage. And is designed to use alongside active ingredients like the ones in our personalised formulas.

Will my personalised formula change in spring?

At Dermatica, your personalised formula might adapt over time as your targeted concern improves or your skin goals change. However, the dawn of a new season won’t impact your prescription. Bear in mind, some active ingredients like topical retinoids act like powerful exfoliants helping your skin to shed its dead, damaged cells and make way for the healthy new skin underneath. This can leave the skin more sensitive at the start, so our experts recommend wearing UV-protective clothing (including a hat) as well as regularly topped up sunscreen with SPF30+, applied at least 15 minutes before going outside.

Should I stop taking my formula if I’m going on a sun holiday?

The short answer? No. You might hear people suggest that active ingredients shouldn’t be used in the sun because they’ll cause photosensitivity. But that’s not entirely true. As we mentioned, some actives might leave your skin feeling a little more sensitive at the beginning of your treatment. Provided you apply sunscreen and stay out of direct sunlight, your formula shouldn’t be a problem.
In fact, pausing your treatment for even a short time could reverse the hard earned progress you’ve made to treat conditions like rosacea, acne, dark spots and signs of ageing .As always, if you’ve got any questions or concerns, you can get in touch with our dermatology experts any time, through your account dashboard.
Find out what formulas are suitable for your skin by visiting our website.

References:
1. Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin S. Attitudes, Behaviors, and Risks of Sun Protection to Prevent Skin Cancer Amongst Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Cureus. 2023 Feb 13;15(2).
2. Gabros S, Zito PM. Sunscreens And Photoprotection [Internet]. Nih.gov. StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537164/
3. Firas Al-Niaimi, Yi N. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology [Internet]. 2017 Jul;10(7):14. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5605218/
4. Lin FH, Lin JY, Gupta RD, Tournas JA, Burch JA, Angelica Selim M, et al. Ferulic Acid Stabilizes a Solution of Vitamins C and E and Doubles its Photoprotection of Skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2005 Oct;125(4):826–32.