Invigorating your skin for Spring: A comprehensive guide to post-winter cleansing

Many of us struggle with remnants of the harsh winter: dull, grey complexions; dehydration; and sporadic breakouts. Exactly now, as the days get warmer and sunnier, we all yearn for a healthy and beautiful glow. The good news is that the skin damage brought on by winter is temporary. Thorough cleansing and a restoration of the skin's natural hydrolipid balance will quickly address all these concerns. Dreaming of perfect skin? Treat yours to a cleansing ritual and watch it regain its smoothness and lovely glow.

Cleansing rituals after winter are not a whim, rather a necessity. During the chilly months, we typically reach for cosmetics that offer rich, nourishing formulas. These products hydrate and protect our skin from freezing temperatures, but can also be heavy and block pores, leading to blackheads and breakouts. In addition, the skin's hydrolipid balance is often disrupted by winter's temperature fluctuations. Moving from heated rooms into frosty outdoor conditions, the sebaceous glands work overtime to produce sebum, in order to protect the skin from moisture loss, dryness and chapping.

Several individuals report both dry and oily skin during winter. This is largely due to the excess sebum in the T-zone; where the skin is denser and has more sebaceous glands - on the chin, nose and forehead. The cheeks, on the other hand, are covered with a delicate layer of skin that often struggles to cope with dry air, frost and drastic temperature changes; resulting in irritation and dryness. Deep cleansing offers a solution for both scenarios, as it unclogs blocked pores and readies the skin for spring skincare.

The routine kicks off with makeup removal. For this, a mild micellar lotion will suffice; it takes off not just makeup but also remnants of skincare products. The makeup remover's quality is key. If you have dry, troubled skin, avoid strongly fragranced cosmetics as these might further irritate the skin. Opt for a plant-based product that both cleanses and normalises the skin. Follow this up with a toner to restore freshness and delicately mattify the skin.

Next, exfoliate with a scrub to remove dead skin cells, clear pores, and prepare the skin for subsequent treatments. If your skin is prone to irritation and breakouts, an intense mechanical scrub might upset it further. In such a case, opt for an enzymatic scrub; simply apply it to your skin and wait for about 10 minutes. The active enzymes in the product will effectively dissolve impurities and freshen up the skin. Now is the perfect time for a mask. We advise using clay, normalising, antibacterial masks and those with a minute amount of acids to handle imperfections, firm the skin and revive its appearance.

Typically, a light moisturising cream is applied after the ritual. However, there are times when it's insufficient and your skin needs additional support. In that case, consider reaching for a serum with AHA acids, mattifying products and pore-narrowing, concentrated action cosmetics to combat breakouts. Worth noting is that spring is the best time to introduce products containing acids into your routine. This is because the sun isn't out in full force and UV radiation isn't as potent as it is in summer, so there is less risk of discoloration. It's best to apply an acid serum and creams targeting imperfections at night. With this regimen, you'll be well on your way to perfectly clean and smooth skin. Follow our tips and expect your spring to be marked by beautiful skin!