5 Spring Skincare Mistakes (You’re Probably Making)

Mar 15

Did you know that there are 5 Spring skincare mistakes (that you’re probably making?)

Here are the ways in which you may be holding your skin back from achieving its Springtime glow, courtesy of Moonstone Skin and Body Care:

Mistake #1: Not Transitioning Your Skincare to the New Season

Just like you wouldn’t wear your thickest moisturizer during the hot summer months (or at least, we hope you wouldn’t… unless you’re into a cocktail of a sticky mess of thick moisturizer and SPF dripping down your face under the beating sun!), not retiring your winter skincare as we transition into Spring is doing a disservice to your complexion.

With the bulk of the colder weather more or less behind us now, our skin needs less help locking in moisture… and instead needs a lighter-weight, oil-regulating regimen to take its place. Here are some basic swaps that you can do before you head out for work in the mornings:

A lightweight, esthetician-approved cleanser that works to target your current skin concerns, not a fad “holy grail” cleanser that worked for your neighbor or your favorite skincare influencer! We recommend an oil-removing cleanser to control excess sebum as we start to sweat more (especially if wearing masks!)
Thicker, heavier moisturizers worked well to lock in essential hydration lost during the colder months. Now that the weather is warming up, swap to a brightening moisturizer with built-in mineral SPF 30 or over to mitigate the risk of sun damage
A higher level of standalone SPF than you wore throughout the winter so that you can be sure to have the best protection when spending long periods of time outdoors

These Springtime skincare switches will keep your skin both glowy and protected, all while combating the remnants of winter-damaged skin. Speaking of…

Mistake #2: Not Addressing Winter-Damaged Skin Early

No matter what tips we employ to avoid dry winter skin, sometimes our skin takes a beating regardless.

That’s not the biggest mistake that can be made, however: the biggest mistake is not addressing winter-damaged skin early in the Spring with your esthetician.

Here in Novato, we frequently field concerns from skincare lovers who are suffering from chronically dry skin, rough texture, rosacea, premature fine lines, and melasma from not slathering on that SPF during the colder months.

The longer you wait to treat these grievances means the less time you have to correct them before the summertime… and, since the summer comes with its own slew of skin concerns, we just can’t recommend that! Book an appointment with your esthetician ASAP to see how your skin soothed before it takes its next seasonal beating.

Mistake #3: Not Taking Advantage of Chemical Peel Season

The best way to revert your skin back to its pristine pre-winter condition (with less dryness and way more glow?) Chemical peels and other esthetician-approved facial treatments, of course!

While Fall is often seen as the ultimate facial peel weather because of its cloudier weather, Spring’s milder climate and general cloud cover can also be a prime time for investing in professional chemical peels and facials.

Peels that add an extra layer of professional cleansing and exfoliation that helps to reveal glowier (and more hydrated!) Spring-worthy skin. Moonstone Skin and Body Care offers a multitude of professional facial treatments to target acne, pigmentation, melasma, rosacea, and more. Some of our options include:

The Moonstone Clinical Peel: The Clinical Peel offers a classic chemical peel treatment, while the other peels below are more of an advanced treatment method for skin resurfacing that includes chemical peeling. This classic chemical peel can help with treating acne, pigmentation, dryness, scarring, and texture irregularities.
The NanoFusion Facial With Peel: This customizable facial begins with a round of cleansing, exfoliation, and a masque designed to prep your skin. We then apply corrective serums and utilize the NanoFusion pen to enhance product absorption, stimulate circulation, and improve hydration levels. The result? Minimized fine lines and wrinkles, smoother skin texture, and decreased pigmentation.
The Microdermabrasion With Peel: This type of treatment will enhance the texture, clarity, and pigmentation of your skin by removing the superficial topmost layer. Following up with a chemical peel will penetrate deeper into the dermis and stimulate the regeneration of the new epidermis. Great for anti-aging, pigmentation, and acneic skin.

Mistake #4: Not Throwing Out Expired Skincare, Makeup, and/or Haircare

If you’re Spring Cleaning but not throwing out expired skincare, makeup, and/or haircare, you’re putting your skin at a disadvantage!

Just like food, the products that we put on our body can also expire. Key signs your skincare, makeup, and/or haircare has expired includes if their color or consistency has changed from when you first bought them, if they’re past their listed expiry date, if it smells off, or if it has begun collecting mold.

While these expired products may still be “safe”, being past their best-before date means they have lost the bulk of their efficacy and, even worse, may have started harboring fungus or dangerous bacteria! Instead of hanging on to products that are likely past their prime, use this as an overdue opportunity to check in with your esthetician about what products they’d recommend you swap in for this season.

Mistake #5: Thinking That SPF is Just For the Summer

If you thought we were done talking about the importance of SPF, you’d be wrong.

Out of the 5 Spring skincare mistakes (you’re probably making), skipping out on your SPF is the likeliest.

To decrease your risk of skin cancers, precancers, and general sun damage, regular daily use of SPF 30 and above is recommended. This is proven to reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40%, and lower your melanoma risk by a whopping 50%.

On top of the obvious health benefits, consistent SPF usage also contributes to higher protection against premature signs of aging and pigmentation.

SPF comes in two forms:

Physical (mineral): physical sunscreens usually contain the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They block and scatter the rays before they penetrate your skin.
Chemical: chemical sunscreens usually contain the ingredients avobenzone and octisalate. They absorb the sun’s UV rays before they can damage your skin.

While we love mineral sunscreens for how comfortable they are on the skin (and how well they work as a layer beneath other skincare), both options are esthetician-approved. If you aren’t wearing some right now, take this as your sign to SPF up! We love the Eminence Mineral SPF lines are a quick and easy way to top up your sun protection while on the go.