Spring Skin Care Tips For Sensitive Skin

The changing seasons - sensitive skin’s friend or enemy. Changes in humidity, temperature, sun exposure, and wind can have a significant impact on your body’s biggest organ - your skin. For those of us with sensitive skin, or who suffer from a condition like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, preventing skin care issues during seasonal changes can be difficult. 

Spring air brings an increase in humidity. Our skin tends to hold more water in the spring, which can be great for those with naturally dry skin. However, with increased humidity, comes increased sebum secretion, oil on the surface of the skin, and perspiration. Not only can this lead to clogged pores but it also attracts dirt, pollution, and bacteria to gather on the surface of the skin.

Luckily, there are simple (and affordable) solutions that can naturally help prevent flare ups, break outs, and irritation. 

1. Exfoliate to Win 

Exfoliation is key during Spring. Since cold weather and dry air may have caused build up of skin cells during the winter, exfoliating to remove these dead cells is very important, as they can clog pores + trap oils and dirt. But, beware of what products you use to exfoliate.

You want to choose a product with natural, healing compounds to prevent further irritation. Look for a natural scrub without added chemicals. Sea salt, sugar, and coffee are great compounds, and some natural oils can help sooth the skin at the same time (see our Salt N Sea scrub with virgin sea buckthorn oil and sea kelp for anti-inflammation). 

2. Lighten up on Moisturizer 

Because our skin tends to hold more water in the spring, it’s always a great idea to asses your skins’ relationship with moisturizers. If you have large pores, sensitive skin, or suffer from a skin condition, thick moisturizers can exacerbate the negative effects by clogging pores and preventing the skin from breathing.

Look for a lighter moisturizing cream, lotion, or serum that is fast absorbing and free from added chemical preservatives (parabens/pthlatates).  (see our Sea Kelp moisturizing cream)

3. Vitamin C + Go Natural

Vitamin C is an anti-aging friend for your healthy skin. It helps in the production of collagen (stress and age can strip this from our skin), and can act a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants on the skin can help reduce everything from wrinkles to the redness brought on from rosacea. Seabuckthorn oil is one of the world’s most potent natural sources of Vitamin C (see our Seabuckthorn & Shea sea kelp soap, Seabuckthorn & Shea moisturizing cream). 

Swapping your daily skincare products for all natural options can have a profound effect on how our skin looks and feels. Your skin is porous and will absorb what it comes into contact with. Many of the less expensive and more accessible products contain chemicals that provide little to no benefit for the skin (preservatives, lathering agents, synthetic fragrance, etc.). These compounds are not only harmful for the skin, but also for the planet as they travel down the drain. 

4. Hydrate + Eat For Clean Skin

Lack of hydration can be culprit of many common skincare issues. As humidity and temp goes up, so does your body’s water consumption. It’s important to up your water intake to at least 2-2.5 litres every day. It’s the most simple (and inexpensive) way to keep your body feeling, and looking great. 

We also can’t forget about our food. Have you ever heard “You are what you eat”, well it’s true. Our food is our fuel. It’s how our body’s gain nutrients and grow. Our skin can tell us a lot about our diets. Filling up on vegetables, fruits, fibre, + clean protein can help provide the building blocks for amazing skin. Avoiding processed / added sugars, excess dairy, and large amounts of saturated fats can have a profound impact on our health and on our appearance. 

5. Protect Your Skin From The Sun 

After you’ve had months of covering up, being indoors, and receiving a lack of vitamin D, it can be tempting to bask in the sun as much as possible when spring time hits. Spring is also when lots of outdoor enthusiasts experience burns and sun damage. Taking steps like using SPF, wearing hats when outdoors, and limiting direct skin exposure to troubled areas, can have a big impact.

Even natural compounds like coconut oil, have an SPF of around 5. Which is ok for daily wear, but when the sun is out and you want to be in it, it’s best to up the SPF and prevent damage (and pre-mature aging).

6. Carry a Balm / Natural Anti-Septic

Cuts, scrapes, rashes, burns, and scabs … Ahh the joy of heading outdoors in the spring! All joking aside, outdoor enthusiasts understand that the beautiful environment and the elements can have an impact on your skin.

If you have skin sensitivity, or any existing condition, a natural balm with healing compounds can be a life safer (like our Rescue Balm). Stick some in your pack next time you’re out on an adventure. A natural balm with healing properties can be used as a moisturizer, as a natural anti-septic for cuts/scratches, and to reduce itchiness / irritation from bug bites. or allergies.

Just like the rest of the year, spring brings it’s own skin care challenges. Wether you’re on the trail, at the beach, or next to the pool - step up to the plate and be prepared, naturally.