How to Update Your Spring Skincare Routine

As the crisp evenings swiftly change to sunny days and balmy nights, we’re reminded that just as the seasons change, so too does our skin. From moisturiser that now feels too thick and gluggy to skin that suddenly feels oily and shiny come mid-morning, there are plenty of reasons your skin may be feeling the weight of the season change — and thankfully the solution is likely easier than you think.

At Dr Tanya Skincare, we believe the most effective spring skincare routine is one that makes just a few considered adjustments based on what your skin is telling you…not entirely abandoning a skincare routine that is already working for you. For many, a warm-weather skincare routine is as simple as switching to lighter products and a lighter approach. Let’s delve a little deeper…

• UV levels rise: UV levels intensify as the weather warms up, leaving unprotected skin far more vulnerable to sun damage. As you likely know, excessive sun exposure is the number one cause of premature ageing, as well as being a key player in pigmentation and uneven skin tone. 

• Humidity increases: remember the dry, tight skin of winter? As moisture in the air rises, that can swiftly change to congestion, excess oil, and breakouts. Wondering why? Warmer weather generally means more perspiration, which doesn’t just increase oily and shiny-looking skin. It can also mix with oil, bacteria, sunscreen, and make up and clog your pores, causing breakouts. 

• Your skin barrier needs support: after months of indoor heating, hot showers, and heavier products, your skin barrier needs a little extra TLC to bounce back. 

• Your skin may feel extra dry: If you thought increased humidity means less dryness, this isn’t always the case. During the warmer months of the year, we’re more likely to have greater exposure to time in the sun, swimming in salt or chlorinated water, and time spent in the air-conditioning. Each of these environments can in fact contribute to drier or more easily irritated skin. Don’t be fooled: skin that looks shiny on the surface can still be sensitive and dehydrated under the surface. 

Switching from your winter to spring skincare routine isn’t always about changing on the day of the new season. Let your skin be in charge — you may find the cold weather tapers off slowly, giving your skin a gentle ease into the seasonal change. As such, instead of marking it in your calendar, we recommend letting your skin guide you. 

Here are a few telltale signs that your skincare routine intensity may need to be dialled back to accommodate spring’s warmth:

• Your moisturiser no longer absorbs comfortably into your skin — it may appear to sit on the surface.
• Your face feels greasy almost instantly after completing your skin routine.
• Your skin feels more congested, and you’re noticing more breakouts.
• You’re noticing your skin feels stickier to the touch.
• You are skipping moisturiser because it feels too heavy. 

At Dr Tanya Skincare, we don’t believe that every season should require you to purchase an entirely new 12-step skin routine. We believe the most effective skin protocol is the one that feels feasible, easy, and that you’re most likely to commit to. 

Instead of completely switching it up, we’d focus on tweaking the big things that are likely to have a huge impact, and leaving the rest. 

• The texture and thickness of your everyday moisturiser.
• How often you use rich oils and overnight masks.
• Your exfoliation frequency (IF your skin is feeling more congested). 

• Continue using a gentle cleanser – although, with excess sweat on the rise, you may want to double cleanse at night.
• Active ingredients your skin is already loving.
• SPF50+ - although if you’re finding your winter sunscreen is making you extremely oily, you may want to find a lighter option for spring.
• Any skin treatments prescribed by your doctor. 

When it comes to adjusting your skincare routine, there are a few reasons we will never recommend starting from scratch each season: (1) it’s expensive, (2) it’s unnecessary, and (3) changing multiple products at once makes it difficult to see what is helping or causing issues.

With over 20 years of experience treating various skin conditions in-clinic, Dr Tanya would recommend focusing on these three tips when transitioning your skin from winter to spring:

1. Switch to a lighter moisturiser

During winter, less moisture in the air means the environment is more likely to pull moisture from your skin, leaving it drier and more irritated. To help combat this, we generally recommend using a richer, heavier moisturiser during winter.

However, as humidity increases again come spring, your body is more susceptible to sweating, which can cause congestion and breakouts…particularly if your pores are clogged with thick products. Dr Tanya recommends switching to a lighter, non-comedogenic moisturiser, particularly with lightweight, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

However, there is a caveat: People with overly dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin may benefit from sticking with the richer moisturiser, particularly if they spend a fair amount of time in the air conditioning.

2. Add a gentle exfoliant if you notice congestion

Dr Tanya doesn’t recommend simply increasing exfoliation “just because” it’s spring. However, if your skin is feeling the weight of the season change—namely symptoms such as increased sweating and congestion —slowly increasing exfoliation can be an effective place to start.

Not only will the right gentle exfoliator (like Dr Tanya’s NuSonic Exfoliating Device) help remove accumulated dead skin cells and minimise congestion by reducing the likelihood of oil, bacteria, sweat, and dead skin clogging your pores, it can also improve the efficacy of the rest of your skincare products by clearing the way for hydrating serums to penetrate and work more effectively.

One caveat to this recommendation: Exfoliating more frequently isn’t always the answer. How often you do it depends largely on your skin type, the exfoliant you’re using, and what actives you’re also using in your skin routine.

3. Become disciplined with your SPF50+ application

If you’ve followed our brand for a while, you’ll know how passionate Dr Tanya is about sunscreen application. 

While this should be a fundamental step in your skincare ritual year-round, whether the sun is out, behind clouds, or the temperature is low or high — there is no time to get more serious about it than when the weather warms up. 

Dr Tanya recommends auditing your sunscreen and your ritual to ensure you’re following these basic rules:

• Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50+ sunscreen.
• Reapply as often as the label requires (generally every two hours and after swimming or sweating).
• Find a product you like the feel of that you’ll wear daily — particularly one that pairs well with your make-up. 

A quality AM skincare ritual should be focused on protection: Vitamin C offers antioxidant support and protection from free radical damage, a lightweight moisturiser protects your skin barrier, and SPF50+ protects you from harmful UV rays. 

A quality PM skincare ritual should be focused on renewal: a gentle cleanser that removes dirt from the day, targeted serums (like retinol) that support regeneration, and a nourishing moisturiser that works hard while you sleep. 

Switching up your skincare routine to accommodate the needs of warmer weather shouldn’t require you to start from scratch. Generally speaking, a few considered adjustments — opting for a lighter everyday moisturiser, being disciplined with sun protection, and being mindful of your skin and how it’s adapting to the changes — is all you need. 

Pay attention to how your skin looks and feels rather than changing products simply because the season has changed. If your current routine still feels comfortable and your skin is calm, there may be no reason to alter it. If you’re noticing extra shine, congestion or products sitting heavily on the skin, introduce one change at a time and give your skin time to respond.

Most importantly, keep the foundations consistent: cleanse gently, maintain hydration, continue with well-tolerated active ingredients and protect your skin whenever the UV index requires it.