As winter fades and temperatures begin to rise, many people notice their skin suddenly behaving differently. Complexions that felt comfortable just weeks ago can become reactive, congested or dull seemingly overnight.
According to Dr Nabil Jetha, Aesthetic Doctor and Founder of Dr Nabil Jetha Clinic this seasonal shift is extremely common – and often comes down to the skin barrier needing time to recover after months of cold weather.
“Spring is a time when many people notice their skin becoming more unpredictable,” she explains.
“After the winter months, the skin barrier can often be slightly compromised due to cold temperatures, low humidity and indoor heating, as well as the use of heavier skincare products.”
The key to navigating the transition is not necessarily adding more products, but focusing on restoring balance and strengthening the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Step One: Reset the Skin Barrier
During winter, harsh environmental conditions can disrupt the skin’s barrier – the outermost layer responsible for protecting against irritation and moisture loss.
“Focusing on barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides, panthenol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can help restore hydration and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier,” experts explain. “When the barrier is functioning well, skin typically feels calmer, more comfortable and better able to tolerate environmental changes.”
Dermatologist-favourite formulas such as CeraVe Moisturising Cream and Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser are often recommended for this stage, thanks to their gentle, barrier-supporting ingredients.
Step Two: Transition to Lighter Hydration
As temperatures rise, the rich creams that protected skin during winter can sometimes begin to feel heavy.
“As temperatures begin to rise, many people benefit from transitioning from richer winter creams to lighter moisturisers or hydrating serums,” experts say. “Heavier formulations that work well in colder months can sometimes feel too occlusive in spring and may contribute to congestion in some skin types.”
Lightweight humectants help maintain hydration without overwhelming the skin.
“Ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan draw moisture into the skin while allowing it to feel fresh and breathable.”
Products such as Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect and SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel are popular choices for maintaining hydration while keeping the skin light and comfortable.
Step Three: Reintroduce Gentle Exfoliation
After months of colder weather, skin can appear dull due to a buildup of dead skin cells.
“During winter, skin can appear duller as dead skin cells accumulate more easily,” experts explain. “Incorporating gentle chemical exfoliants such as lactic acid, mandelic acid or PHAs can help remove this build-up, improving skin texture and radiance while still supporting overall barrier health.”
Gentler exfoliants help brighten the complexion without stripping the skin barrier.
One example is Medik8 Press & Glow Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic, which uses polyhydroxy acids to refine the skin while maintaining hydration.
Step Four: Add Antioxidant Protection
As daylight hours increase in spring, so does the skin’s exposure to environmental stress.
“As daylight hours increase, the skin is exposed to higher levels of UV radiation and environmental pollutants,” experts explain. “Antioxidants play an important role in helping neutralise free radicals generated by these exposures.”
Vitamin C remains one of the most widely studied antioxidant ingredients in skincare.
“Vitamin C helps brighten the complexion, supports collagen production and provides additional protection against environmental stressors.”
One of the most well-known antioxidant formulas is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, often recommended for its ability to improve skin brightness while supporting long-term skin health.
Step Five: Prioritise Daily Sun Protection
One of the biggest skincare mistakes people make in spring is assuming the sun isn’t strong enough to cause damage.
“One of the most common misconceptions in spring is that the sun is not yet strong enough to cause skin damage,” experts say. “In reality, UV radiation increases quite quickly at this time of year, even when temperatures remain relatively cool.”
Daily sun protection remains essential.
“A broad-spectrum SPF should be applied every morning, including on cloudy days. Consistent daily sun protection remains one of the most effective strategies for preserving collagen and helping to prevent premature pigmentation and skin ageing.”
Lightweight formulas such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ and Heliocare 360° Fluid Cream SPF50 provide high protection while remaining comfortable enough for everyday use.
The Spring Skin Takeaway
Ultimately, seasonal skincare doesn’t require a complete overhaul – just a few strategic adjustments.
“Healthy skin is ultimately about balance,” experts conclude. “By supporting the skin barrier, incorporating gentle exfoliation, using antioxidants and maintaining consistent sun protection, the complexion often becomes brighter, smoother and more resilient as the seasons change.”