Surviving the Transition: A Guide to Nurturing Your Skin from Winter to Spring in the GTA
As the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) gradually transitions from the freezing winter temperatures to the blooming warmth of spring, your skin may be struggling to adapt to the changing weather conditions.
The transition from winter to spring can cause your skin to experience a variety of issues: dryness, sensitivity, and dullness, to name a few. This is mainly due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels, which affect your skin's natural barrier function.
During the colder months, the dry and harsh environment can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, tight, and flaky. As the weather warms up, your skin may overcompensate by producing more oil, which can lead to congestion and breakouts. For some with extremely dry skin, their skin may feel dehydrated and tight but oilier. This is because the sudden overproduction in oil breaks the skin's water/oil balance, which is critical to maintaining a healthy skin barrier, making the skin feeling dehydrated and vulnerable to the changing temperatures and humidity levels.
In this blog post, we'll discuss the typical skin conditions during this transition and provide you with some effective skincare tips to help you maintain a healthy and glowing complexion.
1. Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Hydration is key during this transitional period.
One way to ensure your body stays hydrated is to incorporate water-rich foods into your diet, such as fruits and vegetables. Additionally, try to limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol, as these can dehydrate the body. And a surprising everyday ingredient that dehydrates our body is sugar. Too much sugar consumption can cause cells in our body to transfer more water and cause increased amount of urination. So try to limit consumption of sugar as well. (Read on how sugar ages your skin by clicking here.)
As for skincare products, make sure to use a hydrating moisturizer that contains humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These humectants will draw in moisture, which is needed for all skin types, especially those with a disrupted water/oil balance. When choosing a product with hyaluronic acid, opt for one with mixed molecular weight hyaluronic acid for the best results. (Click here to read about why other types of hyaluronic acid don't work!)
2. Exfoliate Gently
During the transitional period, the skin's natural cell turnover process may slow down, making exfoliation even more essential. As such, exfoliating your skin is crucial for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. However, be cautious not to over-exfoliate, as this can damage your skin's natural barrier and cause irritation. Opt for a gentle exfoliator or enzyme-based product that can help to slough away dead skin without causing harm.
3. Focus on Proper Cleansing
Double cleansing can be beneficial during this transitional period, as it ensures that your skin is thoroughly clean and free from makeup, dirt, and excess oil. Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup and sunscreen, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining impurities. This method helps maintain your skin's natural moisture barrier while effectively cleansing.
4. Don't Forget the Sunscreen and Antioxidant Serum
Although the sun may not feel as strong in the early days of spring, the intensity of UV rays can still cause damage to your skin. This makes using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 crucial. And make sure to reapply throughout the day, especially if you're spending time outdoors.
And we need to be careful of increased pollution level in spring as well, as this can irritate our skin. In the spring, there can be increased vehicular traffic and construction activities. Couple that with increase in UV rays makes it all the more important to add an antioxidant serum, such as Vitamin C. Applying an antioxidant serum before sunscreen can help combat environmental stressors, such as pollution, and boost the sun protection of your sunscreen.
5. Seek Professional Advice
If you're unsure about the best approach to care for your skin during this transitional period, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist or licensed esthetician. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific skin type and concerns. You can also start a live chat with one of our agents on our website to get advice on your skincare routine.
Navigating the transition from winter to spring in the GTA can be a challenging time for your skin. By following these tips and adjusting your skincare routine, you'll be well on your way to maintaining a healthy, radiant complexion all year round.
Product recommendation:
Makeup removing exfoliating cream formulated with grapeseed oil, jojoba oil and biodegradable jojoba beads to gently remove dead skin cells.
Perfect as a first cleanser to use at night.
Formulated with aloe vera juice and bisabolol, this Cleanser soothes skin irritated by makeup, pollution, and UV rays. It also contains a mild plant-based coco-glucoside as a cleansing agent to deep cleanse while leaving the skin feeling soft.
Perfect as a second cleanser at night and as a morning cleanser.
Formulated with 20% ascorbic acid in its purest form, this Serum delivers potent antioxidant to protect the skin from outside against free radicals that age and damage our skin.
Perfect with our Protection Cream, SPF 35 sunscreen and a sunblock that hydrates the skin.
