Time to ditch the heavy winter looks and put on a glowy face. Whether you’re dealing with dry and sensitive, oily and acne-prone, or mature, we’ll show you how to set up your face for success.

We’re always excited for a change of season. It gives us the perfect excuse to hit the reset button, shift our routines and indulge in the latest trends. So first of course, you may be asking yourself “do I really need to change my current regiment?” Short answer – absolutely.

CLEAN UP YOUR CLEANSING ROUTINE

It’s no secret that winter cleansing routines usually includes keeping on top of dried out skin. Skin cells die faster in colder weather, which makes exfoliation a top priority in keeping your skin looking fresh. But because your body doesn’t produce as many skin cells (skin cell turnover is lower in winter), heavier moisturization is needed to keep those fewer skin cells as healthy and hydrated as possible.

Simply put, this is what makes your S/S cleansing routine so different from your winter. Skin cells grow much faster in warmer weather. That plus the body producing higher oil content (sebum and sweat in your pores) means your exfoliation should be more rigorous, while your moisturizing should be more balanced against that higher oil production.

FOR OILY SKIN:

Philosophy, Purity Made Simple Foaming Cleansing Gel for Face & Eyes $23

This 3-in-1 cleansing gel by Philosophy can be used daily on face as well as eyes. Formulated specifically for oily skin, it’s made with a blend of over 12 ingredients including meadowfoam seed oil, rosewood oil and sandalwood oil that removes dirt, oil, impurities and makeup. The best part is it deep cleans your skin without making it dry or tight.

FOR DRY/DAMAGED SKIN:

Kate Somerville, DeliKate Soothing Cleanser for Stressed Skin $44

Created by dermatologists at the Kate Somerville clinics, this cleanser was originally designed for post-peel clients. With its combination of amino acids and ceramides, this cleanser is effective but very gentle and perfect for skin that is dry, tight or irritated.

And while we hope this is definitely NOT part of your regular skin routine, it can be used for cleaning hyper-delicate, sunburnt skin as well.

FOR MATURE SKIN:

Elemis, Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil $50

Made with several precious ingredients, this cleansing oil from Elemis delivers an amazing clean while supporting your mature skin needs. Antioxidant rich pomegranate with Vitamin C and Tocopherol fight free radical damage while Tsubaki Oil and Chia Seed help replace lost lipids with their omega 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids.

If all that isn’t enough, it has a pH-balancing formula that supports the moisture barrier, while leaving skin looking healthy, radiant and deeply clean.

FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN:

Pacifica Beauty, Acne Defense Face Wash $12

Acne prone skin isn’t always oily. There are many factors including hormones, stress levels, genetics, lifestyle…you get the picture. If you are facing down acne issues coming out of winter, you don’t have to let it ruin your spring. Get on top of it with a product that’s meant to clean and treat your acne. Pacifica Beauty’s face wash uses salicylic acid and sage oil (plus other ingredients) to treat your current acne while soothing cucumber, mint and aloe help keep your face clean and reduce inflammation.

 

BALANCE YOUR MOISTURE

They say moisturizing is important. We say proper moisturizing is key. A winter moisturizer is, by design, rich and heavy. It needs to be in order to combat the constant attack of dry, forced air inside and the low humidity, cold air outside. As warmer months come into focus, a different type of combat begins. Sun exposure and A/C air dry your skin out, but then heat and humidity kick our sebaceous glands into overdrive, producing sebum. If you’re using the same rich, heavy winter moisturizer, that sebum can get trapped. The result can be breakouts, enlarged pores and in some cases cysts. Definitely not the look any of us are going for.

FOR OILY SKIN:

BeautyCounter, Countercontrol Matte Effect Gel Cream $43

Not only does this oil-free moisturizer deliver hydration without clogging your pores, it also contains a skin balance complex of Zea Mays, wintergreen and rosebay willow to ‘mattify’ your oily and/or blemish prone skin for up to 8 hours. Bonus – it’s cruelty free, and now comes in a completely recyclable bottle and container. That should make you feel as good as you look.

FOR DRY/DAMAGED SKIN:

Tarte, Maracuja Oil Stick $48

Sometimes your best moisturizing lotion isn’t a lotion at all. This multipurpose stick by Tarte contains, as the name implies, Maracuja (aka Passionfruit seed oil) which along with jojoba and monk fruit extract, conditions, smooths and hydrates without irritation or clogging pores. It also contains caesalpinia sappan bark extract, which in addition to being a natural antioxidant, it’s been used for centuries as a natural anti-inflammatory with anti-bacterial properties.

FOR MATURE/SENSITIVE SKIN:

Pacifica Beauty, Vegan Collagen Every Day Lotion $20

With its hydraulic acid and collagen combination, plus a healthy dose of 30 SPF protection against the sun, this vegan collagen (as in derived from plant-based fermentation), cruelty-free lotion from Pacifica Beauty is exactly what your mature skin is craving in a day to day lotion. And because it’s made with zero parabens, silicones, retinyl palmitate or phthalates, it’s also ideal for sensitive skin.

Oh and did we mention how the orange flower, jasmine and matricaria flower extracts come together to give this lotion a fantastic, white floral smell? Well, we just did. All the more to love.

GET SERIOUS ABOUT SERUMS

Why use a serum if you’re already using a moisturizer? Is there a difference? Absolutely. Moisturizers are like drinking water. They keep you hydrated. And that’s important. Serums are like a nutritional shake. They give you the extra vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Together, they keep your skin well-balanced, supple and toned.

So if you don’t already have one in your regular skin routine, there’s no better time than now to rotate one in.

FOR OILY SKIN:

Pacifica Beauty, Kale Yeah! Redness Rehab Serum $18

If you feel like every spring you lose the battle against your oily skin, this peptide-rich serum from Pacifica Beauty should be in your skincare arsenal. Full stop. With a complex of super greens, copper and pea proteins, along with Vitamin B, adding this serum after your cleansing routine and before your moisturizer will keep your face oil curbed and that cheeky redness under control.

FOR DRY/DAMAGED SKIN

La Roche-Posay, Hyalu B5 Serum $48.99

Not so fun fact – many of the good ingredients in most serums, i.e. retinol, citric and salicylic acids can cause serious irritation to dry and/or sensitive skin. Does this mean you’re left out from the benefits that serums can give you? Not at all. La Roche-Posay has a wonderful serum filled with Vitamin B5 to soften and smooth your skin while hyaluronic acid locks in hydration. It also contains prebiotic water which is a gentle antioxidant that’s dermatologist rated for sensitive skin.

FOR MATURE SKIN:

Elemis, Peptide4 Antioxidant Hydra-Serum $76

As we age, our skin needs so much more nourishment to combat dulling and dehydration. If this peptide serum by Elemis was a person, it would have a cape. Hyaluronic Acid and Honesty Seed Oil intensely hydrate, while Lotus Flower Milk, Saffron Flower and Indian Gooseberry literally feed your face with a rich mix of polyphenols and flavonoids. All this combines to bolster your skin’s natural defenses and create a plump, supple and smooth skin you’ll love showing off for spring.

DON’T FORGET YOUR CROWN

You’re putting in the work to make your spring skin a healthy canvas. Now don’t forget that beautiful mane that frames it! Just like the pores on your face, the hair follicles on your head have endured dry, cold winter air and are now also dealing with heat, humidity and higher oil production. They need your love too.

FOR OILY/COMBINATION HAIR:

Tree to Tub, Clarifying Shampoo for Oily Hair & Sensitive Scalp $19.99

Plenty of oily hair shampoo formulas out there spend most of their ingredients on stripping out your natural hair oils. Unfortunately, there is a big problem with that. Just like using only harsh, drying skin cleansers on oily skin will result in red, irritated, flaky skin, the same is true for your oily scalp.

This is why you need Tree to Tub’s clarifying shampoo in your life. It uses wild soapberry to break down your oily residue while botanicals including aloe vera, chamomile & olive leaf help prevent build up. But unlike other oily hair shampoos, it doesn’t stop there. It also contains Argan oil, which infuses back into your hair a non-comedogenic oil rich in antioxidants and Vitamin E. This helps balance your scalp’s oil production and protects the hair follicles, keeping those split ends at bay and your crown shiny, not slick.

FOR DRY, BRITTLE HAIR

Pacifica Beauty, Coco Peptide Damage Care Shampoo $10

There’s any number of reasons you could be coming out of winter with brittle hair. Dry skin, heavy products, maybe a color change or two? Whatever the reason, now is the time to give your locks some love asap. Powered by fermented peptides, plant oils, coconut water, Vitamin B5 and oodles of other good “food” for your hair, this shampoo is your first active step to getting back your glorious mane.

And as those spring months turn into summer, it’s gentle enough for everyday use. Plus it’s made without any sulfides, silicones, talc or other ingredients that can cause product build up on your hair.

FOR COLOR TREATED HAIR:

Nexxus, Color Assure Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair $20.49

Color treated hair as is requires lots of love and extra care. But when warmer weather hits and we’re spending more time outdoors than in, you really need to step up your game against color fading. Nexxus Color Assure shampoo has been around for quite a while, and there is a reason for that – it works. With it’s tried and true combination of elastin protein and quinoa, this gentle shampoo can help maintain your color for up to 40 washes. That’s pretty impressive, and definitely explains why it’s on just about everyone’s top list.

SWITCH UP YOUR MAKEUP

As the days get longer and we spend more time outside, getting healthy doses of sunlight (healthy as in wear that sun protection!) this is a great time to switch up our makeup looks.

FOR A DEWY LOOK:

Pacifica Beauty, Kind Glaze Dewy Glow Layer $16

Whether it’s the Glass Skin look, or you’re craving some Vampire Skin worthy of a Cullen, you need to add a glow layer product to your spring look. Lucky you, we found one that looks great and is good for you. Wear it alone or under makeup, Kind Glaze is lightweight and not sticky or goopy either. It’s also packed with ceramides and collagen (100% vegan) plus squalane oil for hydration and locking in moisture.

FOR CLOUD SKIN:

NARS, Soft Matte Complete Foundation $42

Hyper-glowing skin isn’t the only big trend to hit for spring 2023. With its soft, matted complexion and natural beauty take, Cloud Skin is a great alternative if shiny isn’t your thing. To be clear, this look isn’t all flat. Think of it like your fav beauty filter, where your skin is slightly airbrushed, lightly flushed cheeks and a hint of dewy in the center of the face.

To get that magical matte ratio right, you want a long-lasting, good-for-your-skin product that won’t color shift on you (as in, that odd orange cast you get after a few hours). A NARS bestseller, their soft matte foundation not only has oil absorbing properties (using botanical extracts), it’s also oxidation-resistant (bye-bye Oompa Loompa). It lasts a whopping 16 hours without clogging your pores.

FOR ALL THE EYES OF SPRING:

Pacifica Beauty, Animal Magic Eyeshadow Palette $24

Spring 2023 is a color explosion for eyeshadows. Of course the ‘natural’ makeup look is still going strong, but this season we have so many other options to play with – pastel eyeshadow, glammy grunge, doe eyed, coquette, even sleepy eyes. With so much to choose from, grabbing all the fresh colors you want may seem like a challenge. Unless of course someone already has put all those trending shades and colors in one palette?

With 28 talc-free shadows, featuring all the latest colors and shades, the Animal Magic palette has all your spring eye looks at the ready, in a perfect, hand held device. Nice!

FLEX YOUR SPRING FRAGRANCE

Is it enough that we want our skin to look good for spring? Of course not, we also want to smell nice too! Of course, you’re probably about halfway through your bottle of Narciso Rodriguez or your Jo Malone White Moss & Snowdrop and you may be thinking to yourself these heavy scents were fantastic for winter. For spring though? Why not embrace the light and airy new scents out there that speak to lush spring breezes and warm summer evenings?

FOR PERSONALIZED FRAGRANCE:

Pacifica Beauty, Wanderlust Spray Perfume Mini Set $15

Because this season, we’re all about personalization. This mini set of spray perfumes from Pacifica Beauty has five micro-batched scents that smell amazing on their own but even better when mixed together. Try Tahitian Gardenia with Island Vanilla for a tropical vibe, or French Lilac and Tuscan Blood Orange for a romantic, sensual scent. The choice is entirely up to you.

FOR THE SWEET TOOTH:

Fine’ry, Magnetic Candy Body Mist $15.89

If you’re an ‘eat dessert first’ person who loves her scent to match, Fine’ry Magnetic Candy is your new spring indulgence. This light body mist smells of Sugared Violet, Pink Pomelo, and Cotton Candy. An ideal choice for a warm day filled with childhood nostalgia.

FOR THE MINIMALIST:

Philosophy, Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette $58

With clean, clear scents of bergamot & delicate muguet blossoms, there’s a reason Amazing Grace by Philosophy is one of the annual favorites of spring and summer. With a nearly 5 star review from thousands of happy spritzers, if you prefer your scents straightforward, this is the one for you.

FOR THE FASHIONISTA:

Miss Dior, Absolutely Blooming Eau de Parfum Spray $122.99

With it’s mix of floral and berries, this perfume from Christian Dior’s Miss Dior line is on just about everyone’s must-have list for spring. On the berry side, there is juicy pomegranate and raspberry, followed by floral notes of peony and rose. Keeping things from going too sweet, is a light white musk. Pretty much near-perfect for your spring/summer fashion vibe.

EXTRA CREDIT ON THE EYES

As we round out our article, we want to give extra credit to some products that pay special attention to our skin around the eyes. This region of our face is the first to see wrinkles as we age, while its fragility and close proximity to our eye, makes it challenging to combat with strong ingredients (natural or not).

So when we find great products that help us keep those eyes youthful when the sunglasses come off, we’re out to share them with everyone we know.

FOR KEEPING THE PUFF AWAY

Pacifica Beauty, Chill Baby Cooling Cryo Globes $20

There are plenty of eye massager rollers out there, but these cryo globes from Pacifica Beauty made it on our list for a few reasons. First, you have two size options to choose from, so you can use the exact one that you need. Second, they’re a single glass globe piece, so cleaning them is a breeze. And third, their size is just right, making them easy to pop in your purse and take with. Leave them in the fridge or if you’re on the go, just let them sit in some cold water. In a matter of minutes you can say bye-bye to redness, undereye circles and tired puffiness.

FOR THE DRY EYE SUFFERER:

Peep Club, Heated Eye Wand $73.72

It’s won so many awards, but the idea behind it is so simple. Developed by an optometrist to alleviate dry eyes, this handy little handheld has a side effect of promoting collagen and elastin production. The wand can heat up in under 60 seconds, with control features allowing you to set your comfort level from 98 degrees up to 113 degrees. You can choose between just heat, heat + massage, or heat + massage + red LED light (energizing your skin’s repair and renewal cycle).

FOR THE AGELESS SLEEPER

Pacifica Beauty, Wake Up Beautiful Retinoid Eye Cream $18

It’s called ‘beauty sleep’ for a reason. But here’s a quick fact – when you sleep, your skin’s oil production goes way down. This is why it’s one of the best times for you to use a great eye treatment. With it’s anti-aging petroleum-free retinoid, supercharged free radical busting melatonin, and hydration + antioxidant Chaga and Reishi mushroom extracts, Wake Up Beautiful eye cream is working overtime to make sure you have a beautiful skin morning. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, it packs an amazing punch for the price tag.