Spring Clean Your Skin Care Regimen
When the temperature creeps past 59, that’s my cue for a spring overhaul. Time for a pedicure, short sleeves, and sunscreen. But when it comes to skin care, my routine hasn’t changed since Pogs were cool. I chatted with Francesca Fusco, a New York City dermatologist, about what I should be doing differently for spring. Here are some key tips:
Retire the retinoids. “If you’re using any products that contain retinoids, and you plan on being outdoors a lot during the spring and summer, you might want to put them on the back shelf until the fall,” advises Fusco. Retinoids increase sensitivity to the sun, she says, so a summer hiatus may spare you sun damage and burns.
Wear SPF. Every day. Broken record alert: Cloudy or sunny, hot or cold, wearing SPF should be part of your daily routine, especially during the spring and summer. “You can either use a daily moisturizer with a sunscreen in it, or you could layer a sunscreen on top of your regular moisturizer if you know you’re going to be outside for a long period of time,” says Fusco. Our office offers a variety of sunscreen’s for every skin type, but our personal favorite is our Candessa SunSmart.
Lighten up. “Since your skin is drier during the winter months, you’re probably using heavy moisturizer. For the spring, switch from a cream to a lotion,” Fusco recommends. “And avoid ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum. They can lead to rashes. Instead, look for products with hyaluronic acids and ceramides, which deliver effective moisturization without clogging.” One of our favorites: Glo Therapeutics Pure Hydration or Candessa Sheer Peptide
Brighten up. Spots are adorable on Dalmatians, not on your face. Fusco tells patients to treat them before they even start. “Don’t wait for brown spots to appear,” she says. “Use multitasking moisturizers that contain lightening ingredients at the beginning of the season.” Our Candessa Brightening Cream and Anti-Ox Ultra contain vitamin C. Ingredients such as kojic or glycolic acid are also effective.
