From incorporating topical antioxidants to changing what you eat, holistic beauty experts reveal how to keep skin healthy and happy as seasons change.
"You're coming out of a season where the skin is quite compromised and the barrier is very fragile, and then spring is quite volatile," says Nichola Weir, holistic esthetician and founder of Pacific Touch NYC. "You’re getting those warmer to hot temperatures, which boosts oil flow, and also sweat, which is a huge irritant."
Seasonal allergies come into play as well. As plant life comes up, allergens and pollen are being released into the air, which can trigger histamine reactions that present in the skin as rashes, irritation, and rosacea, explains holistic esthetician and skin care expert Britta Plug.
"Our bodies reflect nature," says Plug. "So when nature goes to sleep for the winter, our oil production slows down, our hair growth slows down; and when everything comes to life in spring, our skin kind of does the same."
So what's the solution? Making small changes to your skin care routine and even your diet. "In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we tweak our skin care according to different seasons," says Cecilia Wong, celebrity facialist and founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare. "Spring is about soothing and calming and awakening your skin." Repairing your skin's barrier, which was likely compromised over the winter, is also key for preventing and minimizing seasonal breakouts and irritation, adds Weir.
Here, our experts share their simple strategies for keeping skin clear, calm, and happy this spring and beyond:
Hydrate (but don't suffocate) your skin.
Wong agrees and says that she'd opt for a moisturizer during the day for an added layer of protection against pollution and irritants and "whatever is lingering in the air," and an antioxidant-rich face oil at night. But try to avoid anything that's too stimulating. "You want to calm and soothe the skin," she says. "So anything with a stronger acid, like glycolic acid, should be put aside for now, especially if you experience eczema or rosacea flare-ups."
Layer on the protective antioxidants.
Some ingredients high in vitamin C and a variety of other antioxidants include camu camu, rosehip oil, and acerola berry. In addition to using an antioxidant-rich mask, you can also layer on an antioxidant-rich facial serum or oil. "Anything containing berry ingredients, like black currant seed oil, is going to have a ton of antioxidants," says Wong.
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Repair and soothe with a Manuka honey mask.
Simply combine a half-teaspoon of quality Manuka honey with a couple of drops of warm water, spread it over your face, allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. For the yogurt mask, a tablespoon of plain yogurt for the same amount of time should do the trick.
Choose your sunscreen wisely.
So choosing the right sunscreen product is key. For acne sufferers, that means opting for something with non-comedogenic oils and non-irritating, preferably hypoallergenic ingredients like Badger Damascus Rose Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 25, which is Weir's personal favorite for acne-prone skin. For those with rosacea, Weir recommends Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Hydrating Moisturizer SPF 30, a mineral sunscreen specifically formulated for dry, redness-prone, sensitive skin.
Invest in a good air purifier.
Eat more liver-friendly foods.
In addition to generally focusing on nutrient-rich whole foods, this means incorporating bitter foods into your diet such as bitter greens (think kale, mustard greens, dandelion greens, or collard greens), radish, and bitter melon. "In Chinese medicine, everything bitter is considered medicinal and a great detoxifier," says Wong. Cooked bitter foods are even better, she says, as cold and raw foods can increase dampness in the body (during a season that already tends to be very damp), which may promote skin flare-ups of all varieties.
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