Spring Beauty
Refresh your routine now to welcome in glowing, nourished skin and hair in time for spring
Image courtesy of Chanel
As the days get longer and temperatures slowly start to rise, our thoughts turn to lighter layers and bare limbs. But after months of cold winds, central heating and woolly layers, our skin is likely feeling dried out, dull and lacklustre.
Before you debut your spring wardrobe, it’s time to give your skin some TLC with a top-to-toe overhaul. With the right combo of scrubs, masks, serums and self-care, you can undo the damage of winter and get your skin ready to glow this spring.
Exfoliate Away Dryness
For smooth, hydrated and healthy-looking skin, exfoliating away dead cells is key. Start by giving your body a deep cleanse with an invigorating scrub. Look for formulas with gentle natural exfoliants like oats or fruit seeds, which buff away dryness without irritating. The Body Shop Shea Scrub, £7, is a moisturising option containing fair trade shea butter. Or try The Ritual of Sakura’s nourishing sugar body polish, £18.90, for a spa-like experience at home.
Give your face a glow up too with face scrubs, masks and exfoliating lotions. The REN Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, £30, uses lactic acid and azelaic acid to gently slough off dullness. Chanel la mousse clarifiante, £48, is a gentle exfoliant that reduces the look of imperfections by refining the skin's texture and diminishing the appearance of pores.
Nourish With Rich Creams
Once you’ve banished dry flakes, it’s time to infuse skin with moisture. The key is choosing products with rich formulas that provide long-lasting hydration.
For your body, look for body butters, oils and balms that create an occlusive layer to prevent water loss. The Vinotherapist Replenishing Vegan Body Butter by Caudalie, £26, contains antioxidant grapeseed oil and desert date oil is lush while Garnier Body Superfood, Repairing Body Butter is a steal at £4.99.
Facial skin needs moisture too. After cleansing, apply hyaluronic acid serums to attract hydration to the skin. The No7 Laboratories Line Correcting Booster Serum is specifically designed to target fine lines, and at £34.95 is an affordable option at Boots. Or splurge on the Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, £85, for visible plumping. For those who prefer skincare with more natural ingredients Raven Botanicals is a Scottish brand with an expanding portfolio of award-winning products worth checking out.
Lock it all in with a nourishing cream. Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Cream, £45, for a nourishing hit of moisture which will not only tackle pesky flaky patches but reveal smooth, fresh skin underneath. The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, £14, is a cult classic primer and moisturiser loved by makeup artists. Or for a luxury option, the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, £52, provides instant hydration and glow. Apply morning and night for supple, dewy looking skin.
Opt For Skin-Loving Supplements
Replenishing your skin from the inside-out is equally important. Load up on foods containing vitamins A, C and E as well as antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Salmon, nuts and olive oil will provide essential fatty acids to strengthen your skin barrier. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water to rehydrate from within.
You can also look to targeted supplements to get an extra dose of skin-loving ingredients. Collagen supplements like the Higher Nature Aeterna Gold Collagen Beauty Capsules, £34.95, will support elasticity and smoothness.
Pamper With Soothing Treatments
A gentle skin overhaul also provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy some relaxing self-care. Set aside time for at-home spa treatments like hydrating face masks and soothing baths.
The Jo Loves Pomelo Bath & Shower Gel, £35, will turn your daily wash into an uplifting aromatherapy experience. Or unwind before bed with the NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Bath Foam, £26, absolute bliss.
For your best skin yet, nothing beats a professional treatment at home. The Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial, £45, is a balancing prebiotic gel-cream that works through the night to drench dull-looking skin in a cocoon of nourishing hydration. Or treat yourself to the seriously indulgent La Prairie or Noble Panacea ranges that combine luxury with high impact science.
Protect Your Progress
As warmer weather beckons, don’t neglect sun protection in your spring skin prep. UV exposure can undo all your hard work undoing winter damage. Look for broad spectrum SPF 30 formulas or higher and apply generously each morning.
High street favourite La Roche-Posay offers the Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid SPF50, £20, which blends easily into all skin tones. We’re big fans of Supergoop Glow Screen SPF 30, £35, for dewy protection.
The cold weather that wreaks havoc on your skin also puts your hair at risk. The dry, cold air saps the moisture out of your strands, which can make your hair dry, frizzy, and weak. Those in the know are reaching for K18, from £12. This innovative new range of hair treatment products helps promote stronger, healthier hair through a blend of 18 different keratin amino acids that work to penetrate the hair cuticle and cortex to reinforce and reconstruct from within.
With the right combination of scrubs, serums, supplements and SPF, you can give lacklustre winter skin and hair a new lease of life. Follow these tips and you’ll step into the new season looking your most radiant yet – just in time for sweater weather to finally make way for spring.
*All prices correct at time of publishing