Spring is almost here, meaning warmer days, sunnier skies, and a much-needed skincare refresh! While we’re still a couple weeks away from officially saying goodbye to winter, now is the perfect time to start transitioning your skincare routine for the changing weather.
Just like we swap out heavy winter coats for lighter layers, our skin also craves a fresh, breathable approach this season. Gone are the days of dry, flaky skin—spring is all about hydration, sun protection, and that effortless, dewy glow.
If your winter skincare routine is still clinging on for dear life, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Here’s how to spring clean your beauty routine and prepare your skin for brighter, sun-kissed days.
Your Easy Spring Skincare Routine
1. Swap Heavy Creams for Lightweight Hydration
Winter is all about rich, thick moisturizers to combat dryness, but as the temperature rises, lighter hydration is key! Swap out those ultra-heavy creams for a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer that keeps your skin fresh and dewy without feeling greasy.
Best Ingredients to Look For:
- Hyaluronic Acid – Deeply hydrates without clogging pores
- Aloe Vera – Soothes and cools skin
- Glycerin – Locks in moisture for a plump, healthy glow
Product Pick: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – A drugstore favorite that’s lightweight but ultra-hydrating!
2. Double Down on SPF—Every Single Day!
If there’s one non-negotiable for spring skincare, it’s SUNSCREEN! With more time outdoors, your skin needs serious protection from UV rays to prevent premature aging, sunspots, and damage.
- Look for: SPF 30 or higher (yes, even on cloudy days!)
- Broad-spectrum (blocks both UVA & UVB rays)
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
Product Pick: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – Loved by dermatologists for its lightweight, non-greasy formula (bonus: it’s excellent for sensitive skin!). I have been using this sunscreen for many years now and I love it!
Pro Tip: Don’t forget that your neck, chest, and hands show signs of aging first!
3. Spring Clean Your Skincare Shelf
Just like you refresh your closet for spring, it’s time to detox your beauty stash! Say goodbye to expired products and switch to season-appropriate skincare.
Here’s your skincare spring cleaning checklist:
- Toss anything past its expiration date (old products = bacteria buildup )
- Swap thick oils for light facial mists
- Clean your makeup brushes & beauty tools and spring clean your makeup bag (trust me, your skin will thank you!)
Pro Tip: Store your moisturizer and eye cream in the fridge for an instant cooling effect—refreshing on warm days!
4. Gentle Exfoliation = Glowing Skin
Spring is all about a fresh start, including shedding dull winter skin. Gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and boosts that natural glow.
Best exfoliation methods for spring:
- Chemical Exfoliants (AHAs & BHAs) – Help resurface the skin without harsh scrubbing
- Enzyme Masks – A gentler alternative made from fruit extracts
- Hydrating Scrubs – Look for sugar-based formulas that won’t strip moisture
Product Pick: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – Works wonders for keeping skin smooth and blemish-free!
Pro Tip: Stick to 2-3 times a week to avoid over-exfoliating.
5. Lighten Up Your Makeup for a Fresh-Faced Look
Spring is all about that natural, no-makeup makeup look. Swap your heavy foundation for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream that evens skin tone while keeping things light and breathable.
Spring Makeup Must-Haves:
- Tinted Moisturizer or BB Cream – Hydrates while providing a little coverage
- Cream Blush – Gives that healthy, dewy flush (no cakiness!)
- Setting Spray with SPF – Locks everything in place while boosting sun protection
Product Pick: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 – A skincare-makeup hybrid that keeps skin hydrated, protected, and radiant!
Pro Tip: Swap powder formulas for cream-based products to enhance that glowy springtime look.
6. Hydrate from the Inside Out
Warmer weather = more hydration needed! Your skin glows the most when you nourish it from within.
Spring Hydration Tips:
- Eat water-rich foods (cucumbers, watermelon, oranges)
- Increase your water intake (at least 8 glasses a day!)
- Swap heavy coffees for herbal teas or coconut water for an extra hydration boost
Pro Tip: Add collagen powder to your smoothies—it helps with skin elasticity and hydration!
Final Thoughts: Glow Into Spring!
Transitioning your skincare for spring doesn’t have to be complicated—just a few simple swaps can make all the difference in keeping your skin fresh, glowing, and protected.
- Lighten up your skincare with gel-based moisturizers
- Wear SPF daily (yes, even indoors!)
- Exfoliate for radiant skin—but don’t overdo it. Try my DIY Mandarin Sugar Body Scrub or my DIY Mint Lime Body Scrub to exfoliate your skin and get rid of dead skin cells.
- Hydrate, inside and out for that natural glow
Your skin will thank you for the seasonal refresh! Ready to glow into spring? Then, be sure to bookmark this article to help you with your spring skincare routine. Let me know in the comments your must-have spring skincare essentials!
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A former school teacher, Jocelyn Brown created Hip Mama’s Place in 2007. Her motto for this blog is: get inspired, create and share! Jocelyn loves sharing about food and recipes, crafts, DIY projects and her random travels with her family. She also loves all things social media, but her latest obsession is Instagram.
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I’ve been guilty of either over exfoliating or not exfoliating at all so it’s good to be reminded of the balance. And I’m definitely going to try incorporating more hydrating serums like you suggested—I’ve heard great things about hyaluronic acid and your post gave me the push to actually try it out.
I love these spring skincare tips! Keeping skin hydrated and glowing as the seasons change is so important—definitely trying some of these!
I’m definitely going to try swapping out my heavy winter creams for lighter products and making SPF a daily habit. Can’t wait to see how these changes help refresh my routine this season!
I love all of these tips, that I will be keeping in mind, also using some of them in my daily routine as well.
These are some great skincare tips; I so agree with swapping pout the heavy creams for the lightweight ones. I have done this and found the lightweight creams really provide better results for my skin.
I agree with you about sunscreen being the number 1 ingredient. That and Hyaluronic Acid are the main things I look for.
I love all these tips and try to follow these as much as I can. I focus on doubling the SPF, light weight creams and hydrating from inside out by eating salads and drinking a lot of water.
Skincare is important, but I admit I neglect mine more than I should. Living in a hot, sunny climate, I need to use more sunscreen and I need to be more consistent with hydration.
I need to be better about using sunscreen this spring and summer. These are all good things to consider for healthier skin as the seasons change.
I love all these wonderful tips. I love having healthy and glowing skin. I’ll keep these all in mind.
I love all of these suggestions! As someone with drier skin, it’s important that I moisturize frequently. I attempt to use moisturizer every single morning and evening!
These are all such great tips and tricks! I’ve been trying to get as much hydration as possible into my skin the past few weeks, it’s been so dry.
I love these tips! Hydration is absolutely key to keeping your skin healthy and beautiful.