5 skin-care swaps you should be making as the weather begins to warm up

The swap: In the winter, our skin drinks up the hydration from thick moisturizers and face creams. In the spring and summer, our skin naturally produces more oil and retains moisture better than in the colder months. Still, you should definitely use a moisturizer. There's a common misconception that oily skin doesn't need moisturizer, as it will just add grease and shine. In reality, if you don't moisturize at all, your skin will probably produce even more oil to compensate for lack of hydration. The solution? A lightweight moisturizer that absorbs quickly and delivers skin-soothing and plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and marine algae to give you that summer glow.

• If you're looking to splurge: La Mer The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream, $175
• If you're a frequent flyer: Caudalie Vinosource Mattifying Moisturizer, $39
• If you're on a budget: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors, $11.60
• If you're going green: Boscia Cactus Water Moisturizer, $38
• If you're looking for simplicity: Neutrogena Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer, $8.62

The swap: Serums make a great addition to your skin-care routine in the winter — they penetrate deeply into the skin, packing a nutrient-rich punch with just a few drops. You don't have to give up serums come spring- or summertime, but you should consider opting for a more lightweight formula. Oil-based serums are great for locking in moisture in the winter, but with higher temperatures and humidity, we need to let our skin breathe. Swap out your winter serum for one that's water-based instead. You'll get all of the same benefits of the ingredients, but without the added weight — which can lead to greasy skin and breakouts.

• If you're looking to splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, $300
• If you're on a budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, $6.80
• If you're acne-prone: Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum, $20
• If you're going green: Edible Beauty No. 3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum, $57
• If you're feeling dull: Glossier Super Glow, $28

The swap: Pretty much everyone agrees, sunscreen is the key to healthy skin, inside and out. Harmful UV rays create dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles on our complexions, but can also cause more serious damages to our health, like skin cancer. So, SPF is really important. Most of us only think about lathering on sunblock when we're spending the day at the beach, but the truth is sunscreen should be a regular part of your skin-care routine — just like a face wash or moisturizer. In the winter, you can probably get away with using a moisturizer with a hint of added SPF, but in the sunny, warm months you should get something more substantial. Whether it's a moisturizer with added SPF or a light sunscreen that won't clog pores, there are plenty of great skin-protecting products out there.

• If you're into simplicity: Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $19
• If you're active: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 60, $29.99
• If you're on a budget: Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 55, $7.99
• If you're going green: Bare Republic Mineral Face Lotion SPF 30, $14.99
• If you're looking for coverage, too: IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50, $39

The swap: After a long, cold winter, your skin can't help but be rough and dry. If you really want to get that natural, summer glow, you need to get rid of those leftover layers of dead skin from winter. A gentle exfoliant will slough off dead skin to reveal a fresh, clean face. There are a few ways to go about exfoliation — scrubs, peels, and exfoliation tools are all effective, though some may be better suited for certain skin types than others. You can continue to exfoliate during the summer (once or twice a week is enough for most skin types), but be mindful of when you choose to exfoliate — many exfoliants can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which puts you at a greater risk of getting a bad burn.

• If you're sensitive: Foreo Luna Play Plus Cleansing Brush, $49
• If you're on a budget: L'Oreál Paris Pure Sugar Face Scrub, $9.19
• If you're looking to splurge: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Peel, $62.90
• If you're going green: Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser, $20.50
• If you're acne-prone: Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish, $32