As winter turns into spring, the days grow longer, skin nourishment gets weeker as the weather gets warmer and the outside world bursts open with colorful blooms. Spring is a season of transition and renewal—making it a perfect time to recalibrate our daily routines. In Ayurveda, ritucharya is the principle of adjusting one’s lifestyle in accord with the season. Given Ayurveda’s emphasis on the interdependence of mind, body, spirit and surrounding world in determining our health, it is only natural that a change in our external world requires a change in our health and wellness habits.
Living seasonally also means making changes to our skincare routine. Especially given that the skin serves as a protective barrier against the external world, it is extremely important to develop a skincare routine that responds effectively to seasonal conditions. In Ayurvedic tradition, spring, or Kapha season, is characterized by moisture, warmth and softness. An imbalance of Kapha can also bring about more negative results like oiliness, heaviness and stagnation. This might in turn lead to the development of acne or an appearance of shininess and stickiness.
Curious how to effectively respond to the warmer weather and maintain a skincare in heightened humidity levels this spring? Here are 3 tips for a spring skincare routine that will leave your skin nourished, balanced and radiant.
1. Switch To a Lighter Moisturizer—Or Try Out Face Oils
Harsh winter weather often leaves our skin feeling dry and flaky, causing many to use a thick, heavy moisturizer. Continuing to over-moisturize in spring can cause the skin to become overly oily, sticky and irritated. For a refreshed, radiant complexion, swap out those moisturizers for a lighter formula.
We highly recommend trying out a face oil formulated with natural Ayurvedic ingredients. Face oils are lightweight, yet effective, absorbing seamlessly into the skin and provide hydration without leaving behind any residue. Plus, you can use face oils that target your specific skincare needs. We recommend our Absolute Anti Aging Face Oil for those looking to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, heal damaged skin and instill the complexion with a natural radiance. Our Deeply Clarifying Face Oil targets oiliness and acne, expelling impurities from the skin while imbuing it with moisture. Our Ultimate Brightening Face Oil heals damage, reduces visible signs of fatigue and instantly brightens the skin.
2. Combat Acne With Natural, Gentle Ayurvedic Ingredients
The heightened humidity of springtime can cause the skin to become inflamed and oily, making it important to treat it with gentle, nourishing ingredients that expel impurities without causing irritation.
There are many Ayurvedic remedies,While you may be tempted to apply a range of synthetic over the counter products to combat a surprise break-out, too much interference can have an inverse effect, causing the skin to become even more aggravated.
We recommend a gentle approach that allows the skin to attain balance with the help of potent natural ingredients. We’ve written a blog here on essential oils that combat inflammation and redness while instilling the skin with deep hydration and radiance. The antibacterial properties of essential oils like tea tree and clove reduce acne and inflammation, while lavender serves as a soothing, calming salve.
Our Deeply Clarifying Blemish Spot Treatment targets blemishes and other imperfections through a purifying, soothing and potent formula of tea tree, juniper berry and clary sage essential oils. Applying it daily upon the first appearance of acne will help its appearance subside naturally and effectively.
3. Don’t Forget Spf!
Warmer weather means more time spent outside enjoying the sunshine. While sun exposure is an important part of maintaining one’s sense of wellbeing (not to mention that it’s also a great source of Vitamin D), excessive UV exposure can also lead to free radical damage, which causes wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. So the next time you enjoy a sunny afternoon spent outdoors, be sure to protect your skin by applying SPF. The Academy of American Dermatologists recommends using a sunscreen that is water-resistant, provides broad-spectrum protection and is a SPF 30 or higher (though a higher SPF is even better).
