- You should update your
skin care routine each season, dermatologists say. Dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm told Insider heavy moisturizers are good for the winter but can clog pores in warmer temperatures.- Lighter moisturizers, sulfur washes to reduce oil, and plenty of sunscreen can keep skin clear and healthy.
The end of winter is all about spring cleaning and refreshing. Your skin care products should be no exception.
Changing your routine to help your skin adapt to the seasons is crucial to avoid acne, oiliness, sun damage, and other common
Here are the products you should consider picking up and the ones you should ditch this spring.
Swap out heavy face creams for light moisturizers to avoid acne
Palm said a common mistake people make in the spring is piling on the same heavy moisturizing products they used in the winter.
During the winter, dryness is a concern so it makes sense to use a thicker moisturizer. But in the spring, the warmer weather could turn your heavy cream into a one-way ticket to pimple city.
"Heavy moisturizers meant to retain moisture and block damage to the skin barrier," Palm said. "Too much glycerin, squalane, triglycerides, etc. may cause clogged pores or greasy skin in warmer months."
Consider swapping your cream moisturizer for something like a gel moisturizer. Insider previously reported gel moisturizers are great for people prone to acne because they are less likely to clog your pores while also providing hydration.
Use sulfur masks at the end of the day to reduce oiliness
According to Palm, oil-reducing products are crucial for spring and summer as the weather warms up and our skin begins to produce more sweat. She swears by washes and face masks that include sulfur to reduce the shine.
"Sulfur washes or masks are a perfect way to help manage increased oil control with rising summer temps," Palm said.
Healthline reported sulfur works by drying out extra oil and sebum on your skin, which can reduce the number of clogged pores that cause acne. It's a gentle way to reduce acne and exfoliate your skin.
Be very vigilant with putting on sunscreen to avoid dangerous UV rays and premature aging
The next concern Palm says people should be more vigilant about in the spring is protecting their skin from the sun. While this is important year-round, more time spent outside can mean more time exposed to harmful sun rays.
Palm recommends finding a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc and titanium to block out the sun's rays. However, chemical sunscreen could be a better option for people with darker skin as minerals sunscreens tend to leave white residue.
"Remember that UVA (the longer UV wavelength rays associated with aging skin and melanoma) is transmitted through glass," Palm said. "Make sure to wear sunscreen in the car, or indoors."
You can keep using retinoids as long as you pair them with sun protection
Insider previously reported retinoids are a gel that chemically exfoliates the skin by increasing cell turnover. They can reduce the appearance of scars and reduce acne.
Palm said though retinoids can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, using them during the spring is fine as long as you protect your skin.
"I feel it is fine to continue retinoid use in summer," Palm said. "I've been using one since I was 14 and have never quit, you just need to be mindful of exuberant sun exposure and slightly higher risk of sunburn with continued exposure."
Applying plenty of sunscreen should be sufficient enough to keep your skin safe from harsh UV rays.