The transitional seasons are, in my opinion, the most fun and beautiful. They also require a bit of navigating, skincare-wise. I did a post in autumn about transitioning into colder weather, Falling into Skin Barrier Support, and while some of this is, well, basically the opposite of that, there are some other things to consider as the weather warms.

Quick Routine Swaps

Switch up your moisturizing step

At least in Colorado, spring can be rocky (yes, that was a mountain pun), as false springs and last minute blizzards can do a real bamboozle. If you, like me, don’t love having a bunch of products of the same type open at once, it can be a real trick to figure out if what you’re opening in early April will still be treating you right in late May. For this reason, I like picking out a light-to-medium weight cream, and using it both AM and PM. In the evening I then add an oil, sleeping pack, or even Vaseline over top to keep my skin extra protected. This does a few things: a) help me go through that moisturizer quicker, in case I need to switch it up again next month, and b) lets me mix and match the amount and type of emollient, occlusive layers depending on what’s up with the weather. Last year I reached for the COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Cream, this year it’s going to be the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream with the Purito Dermide Cica Sleeping Pack over top, and a bit of Vaseline for my cheeks as needed.

Find a sunscreen you love

Sunscreen is important year-around, as anyone who’s gotten sun damage while innocently going out to shovel the snow can attest (*raises hand awkwardly), but as the days get longer and we spend more time out in the sun, it’s critical to find a sunscreen that you’ll love wearing (and reapplying!) every day. There’s a lot of fear-mongering about sunscreens out there, but the fact is that as long as you’re reaching for something broad spectrum (indicates UVA protection) with at least SPF 30 (indicates decent UVB protection) and actually reapply as directed (to ensure the protective film stays in place), you’re doing great. I personally love K-beauty sunscreens since they’re super lightweight and because most of my physical activity doesn’t require much water resistance. This summer I expect my husband and I to be living in the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel, while downgrading any failed sunscreen experiments to our limbs.

Layer up the toners

Fun fact: this was a tip for transitioning to winter, too. But I think the advice really stands for transitioning into warmer weather, as well. I’m a firm believer in hydrating toners and “seven skins” all the time, and I’ve written about my love of toners elsewhere, so here I just want to get into what to change up with your toner routine. Toners are a lovely, lightweight way to add lots of hydration and helpful ingredients to your routine without adding any feeling of heaviness or greasiness (which, helloooo these warmer days will thank you for it). I personally break my toning step out into four different products: a first essence, a hydrating toner, a treatment toner and an essence. The first essence adds incredibly lightweight hydration and nourishment, the hydrating toner I can layer up for additional hydration without feeling like I’m bleeding money, the treatment toner lets me add some sort of antioxidant or anti-inflammatory set of ingredients, and the essence just doubles down on whatever issue I’m tackling with that treatment-type toner. My current round-up, in order, is SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner, Sioris My First Essener and Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence.

Introduce a double cleanse

Just as we needed to go for a more gentle cleansing routine for winter, as we start layering on the sunscreen (and sweat, let’s be real), you might need something a bit more robust. If you’re not already double cleansing, this may be the time to start. While quite popular for makeup wearers, as an avid mountain biker I can attest that nothing takes off a layer of caked grime quite like a good cleansing balm, and that water cleanser after feels downright refreshing. What you might like in a first cleanse — be it a micellar water, cleansing oil or cleansing balm — will vary by your personal preference, so I recommend starting out with minis to make sure you enjoy what you’ve picked. I recently picked up a full-size of the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm to use in the coming months, and am still loving the gentle cleanse of the Tatcha The Rice Wash as my second cleanse.

Ingredients Spot Check

If you’re into the “turning and learning” part of skincare internet, there are a few ingredients that you’ll want to keep your eye out for to really take your skin to the next level now.

Love antioxidants

Antioxidants are a great addition year around, but they’re especially nice when we’re exposed to more light and more pollution, as they help reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which may sound like fun progressive politicians but are actually unstable atoms and molecules that could use some spare electrons to minimize their potential for damage. An antioxidant product in the morning, along with your sunscreen, can really set you up for success. Vitamin C is an incredibly popular antioxidant for a variety of reasons, and indeed its power as an antioxidant is part of why Ascorbic Acid has a propensity for oxidizing and turning brown. If your skin can’t quite handle Ascorbic Acid or Vitamin C derivatives, I recommend reaching for Resveratrol, Pycnogenol, CoQ10, Polyphenols, Green Tea and other plant extracts (but not essential oils!).

Love a combination of sunscreen filters

Different sunscreen filters, whether chemical or mineral, are rated to block specific wavelengths of UV radiation. This is why, for example, you can see an SPF rating (UVB) without a broad spectrum label or PA rating (UVA) — depending upon the filters used, the sunscreen you’re looking at may or may not have it. A combination of filters can give you a high level of protection across the spectrum. This will certainly be an incomplete list, but popular UVA filters include Avobenzone and Uvinul A Plus; popular UVB filters include Titanium Dioxide, Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene and Homosalate; and popular filters providing both UVA and UVB protection include Tinosorb S and Zinc Oxide.

General Skincare Tips

These are some tips that will cost you nothing and are good to do year around, but you might definitely want to consider as the days get longer.

Keep an eye on your actives

While a proper approach to sun protection should keep you safe even with a routine full of actives, it never hurts to make sure you’re not working against yourself. Though I don’t believe you need to stop using a retinoid in the summer (indeed, Vitamin A is a great antioxidant), you might want to avoid going through the stress of retinization and purging when you’re getting a lot of sun exposure, as that inflammation can lead to things like PIE and PIH. Likewise, I always try to avoid reaching for a strong exfoliating mask when I know I’m going to be out in the sun a lot the next couple days, as I want that extra bit of dead skin there to help protect me.

Don’t forget your hands, neck and chest

I’m always a proponent of rubbing extra product into your hands, but as our hands get the next-most sun exposure as our faces, make sure that they get sunscreen applied to them as often (or more, with the need for regular hand washing) as your face does. Likewise, remember that your skincare should be going well onto your chest. I, for one, have been the victim of a v-neck sunburn on several occasions, and one of my goals for this year is to avoid that indignity.