For some of us here in the northeast it seems like we skipped right over spring and jumped straight to summer. This weekend was in the upper 70s with lots of sun. The winter coats got left behind and we saw lots of shorts and flip flops. I’m not sure if this weather will hold out, but no matter where you live in the USA, spring is just around the corner, so here’s a few tips to help keep your skin looking good and keep you feeling healthy.
One of the first things you should do is repair any damage your skin experienced over the winter. If you live in a really harsh climate or you just have a hard time keeping moisturized during the winter, spring is a great time to catch up. There are lots of ways to do this, for example, if you garden, throw on some Shea Body Butter (formerly called a Lotion Stick) just before you put your gloves on. While you typically want to put just enough Body Butter on so that your skin doesn’t feel greasy, you can put a little more on than usual here because you’re putting gloves on over top. If you have dry feet, try putting on some Shea Body Butter (I particularly like the Tea Tree) before you go for a run or bike ride. Just use a pair of workout socks so you’re not getting moisturizer all over your good ones.
Another thing you’ll want to do is protect your skin from the sun. Even if you don’t burn easily, being cooped up inside all winter can make your skin much more sensitive to sunlight. Try not to stay in the sun for extended periods until you skin can build up some melanin. While we all know that tanning in general is not good for your skin, if you are going to do it, make sure you ease into it and use something that has some SPF so your skin isn’t exposed to all of those UV rays. Another good idea is to check with your doctor and see if any medications you may be taking make you more sensitive to sunlight. I’ve had some personal experience with this, and I can tell you some medications can make you VERY sensitive to the sun.
Also, if you’re like me and you hate the hassle of putting on sunscreen: I’ve found there are some pretty decent spray-on sunscreens out there. The nice thing about these is I can usually get my back protected without having to ask a friend to help me.
Lastly, spring is a good time to step up your exfoliation. This helps shed off dead skin cells and expose the healthy skin underneath. For a medium exfoliating bar, Lemon Scrub is a great option. If you wan’t something a little more aggressive, try our Beautiful Feet.
H.M.