Spring is finally here, and while this season is great for your soul,it’s not so great for the skin! This is the time to sweep the winter away and deep clean your skin like you would “spring clean” your house after a long winter to bring it back to its natural radiance.

Now that we are spending a lot of time outside in the sunshine, allergens can cause puffiness. And with temperatures rising, we need to change our skincare routine.

Skin can also look dull and dry after winter, so we are in need of some rejuvenation and exfoliation.

Let's get you out of hibernation! Here are some easy tips to help you and your skin during this transition phase!

Scrub the winter away

If you want brighter, plumper skin, I recommend exfoliating with a fruit acid which will sweep away dead skin cells, making room for new fresher cells to come up to the surface.

**There are different acids that you can use to exfoliate:**

Lactic Acid - promotes hydration and skin brightening.

Glycolic Acid - promotes exfoliation, increases moisturisation, increases cell turnover, promotes collagen production, and is skin brightening.

Salicylic Acid - removes oil and debris attached to the skin surface, and is best for problem skin that may be congested or oily.

Malic Acid - boosts collagen production and resurfaces the skin.

Here are some of my favorite exfoliating products for a spring refresh:

Nimue Active Resurfacing Wipes: You can use these 3-4 times a week after cleansing. They contain alpha hydroxy acid complex and soothing vitamin B, which accelerate cell renewal, resurfaces and refines the skin texture, and soothes and repairs the skin barrier.

Nimue Conditioner: You can use this on some gauze after cleansing daily. This conditioner contains an alpha hydroxy complex, which improves texture, clarity, and accelerates skin rejuvenation.

Nimue Exfoliating Enzyme: Use on cleansed skin twice a week, leaving on the face for 10 minutes. This non-abrasive, non-irritating enzyme exfoliant contains Papaya and pineapple enzymes, which help loosen the bonds between dead skin cells without overstimulation. This makes your skin radiant and smooth!

Micro Derm Exfoliant: This can be used twice a week. This granular exfoliant contains bamboo powder, which removes the dull residue of dead skin cells to refine and soften the skin.

Start body brushing

Dry brushing improves skin elasticity and exfoliates the skin. It also stimulates your blood circulation and lymphatic system, which enhances the elimination of toxins as well as the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to cells. This improves with watery tension and removing toxins.

Watch one of my IGTV videos on how to body brush.

Dry brush before you get in the shower. It only takes 3 minutes a day, and it gives you such a big return!

Start doing lymphatic drainage to get rid of sluggish-looking skin

After not moving a lot during the winter, your face may look dull and puffy, and you might feel sluggish. Why? Because your lymphatic system is sluggish!

There is no “heart pump” to move lymph; instead, it is dependent on muscle contractions or gravity to help move it along, which takes place when you move your body. It is a one-way circulatory system.

By starting to do lymphatic drainage massage, you are moving lymph fluid through the vessels to speed up lymph circulation, which detoxes tissues, eliminates waste, regenerates cells, and improves the hydration in the skin.

Understanding the lymphatic map of the body will help you to know which direction to massage. You can book a consultation for a 1-on-1 session with me and receive a follow-up video to watch.

Change your moisturizer

I believe spring is the perfect time to start using a lighter moisturizer. Using a thick moisturizer all the time can make your skin lazy and more dependent on heavy moisturizers to feel comfortable.

We are exposed to more sunlight in the spring, which can damage the skin, so we need to fight free radical damage and renew collagen and elastin. ⁠⁠Vitamin Rich Repair contains ingredients that assist with intensive repair and hydration of the skin. Packed with vitamins A, B, C, and E, peptides, and antioxidants, this [type of product] helps reverse the effects of free radical aggression and also boosts collagen and elastin production for cell renewal.

Pigmentation can also be an issue when we are exposed to more sunlight. Find out more on how to prevent and fix pigmentation in my ⁠⁠Journal: Pigmentation Decoded.

Eliminate puffiness from spring pollen

Do you suffer from puffiness under the eyes caused by spring pollen? Give yourself a quick eye massage to help drain away any excess fluid.

I love using my Cryo ice tool! The cooling sensation calms inflamed skin, promotes lymphatic drainage, and boosts blood circulation, which is perfect for irritated puffy eyes.

Start applying your SPF

“But my moisturizer has SPF!”

Please dont assume that your foundation or daily moisturizer with built-in SPF will give you adequate protection. Built-in SPF is secondary to the main function of the product, so we have to ask ourselves how good the product or sun protection actually is. SPF should be reapplied throughout the day, ideally over your makeup.

Your second line of defense should be your makeup with SPF. Your first line of defense should be your broad-spectrum SPF.

**So you might ask, how much should you apply, and how often?**

Apply sunscreen every 1-1.5 hours. (Also, wearing a hat is crucial.)

The most common mistake people make here is that they do not use enough sunscreen. Make sure to apply about 1-1.5 tsps of broad-spectrum sunscreen.

However, most sunscreens also have a lot of chemicals in them, which can be damaging to the skin. I prefer mineral sunscreens like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than chemical sunscreens. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide act as a barrier between skin and sun. My favorite sunscreen is the Nimue Environmental Shield SPF 50.

Spring clean your fridge

What goes in your body is just as important as what goes on your skin!

In the spring, avoid rich foods like meat and dairy. Instead, go for lots of green vegetables and leaves.

Also, try adding wild garlic to your diet. You will find this everywhere in the spring! Many people use this plant to boost their energy levels in the springtime. Even bears eat this plant in the spring after hibernation to get their strength back. That’s why some people call this herb “bear’s herb”! Wild garlic is high in vitamin C and iron, and it has a detoxifying and cleansing effect. Try my Wild Garlic Pesto Recipe.

Your skin changes like the seasons, your skin and body needs different skincare and nutrients at different times of the year. I hope these recommendations can help you achieve healthy, glowing skin during this transitional spring season!