How to Transition Your Skin for Warmer Months? We Asked an Expert
It’s officially March and inasmuch as spring has not sprung yet, it’s a bit warmer outside, the sun is a bit sunnier, and the wind and dry air are slowing giving ways to warmer temps. We don’t know about you but we’ve been slathering heavy moisturizers and creating moisture sandwiches since last November in attempts to keep the elements out of our skin. It’s time to lighten up the load and begin the transition to spring skincare.
How do we transition our skin for warmer weather? We asked celebrity esthetician, holistic skincare expert, and owner of Elina Organics Spa in Chicago, Elina Fedotova, for tips on how to get our skin ready for summer. Read on and take notes, she has great advice!
What is the most important thing to know when transitioning your skin from winter to warmer months?
As the weather gets warmer, make sure you are replacing creams with heavy emollience (like avocado or olive oil) or other ingredients with high lipid content with moisturizer that have more hydrating ingredients like tremella, hyaluronic acid, vegetable glycerin. During the winter we need to shield our skin from harsh winds and dry heat indoors. In Spring and Summer, that oily shield is not necessary and more breathable and lighter formulations are better to use. Also in the Spring and Summer we of course need to focus even more on sun protection, natural sun blocks are the best for the environment and for our skin. Zinc Oxide gives you natural broad spectrum protection but also has a anti bacterial effect on the skin which is beneficial for inflamed and acne prone complexions.
What should we avoid during the transition?
We should do this gradually, we should not switch regimens cold turkey. The weather in the spring could be warm and cold. Start the transition just a few times a week so it is gradual.
Can you explain to our readers why we should switch skincare for spring?
In the winter we use heavier and more protective moisturizers with a heavier oil content, which can create comedones and excess oil.
What are some products you recommend for the transition?
I have a line of moisturizers and lighter moisturizers called elixirs. [Editor’s note: elixirs are serum-like active treatment products, thicker than a regular serum but lighter than a moisturizer]. For people who have normal to oily complexion I recommend that they use the elixirs. For people who have very dry skin, they will most likely not need to switch. Of course you always have to go with how your skin feels. If you are very oily in the summer, I recommend using our award winning oil control formula, which minimizes pores, reduces oily shine, cools your skin and helps prevent outbreaks.
It is also very important to exfoliate in the summer to purify your pores, and for this I recommend the Crushed Copper Purifying Mask which has skin-renewing copper powder and helps firm and rebuild the skin by stimulating the regeneration of proteins.
People with dry skin can feel even drier after the harsh winter and for them I would suggest our newest product, Cranberry Rose Skin Refiner. It is rejuvenating, exfoliating, as well as hydrating.
Is there a particular skincare ingredient or treatment that you think is most effective to transition skin for spring?
If we are talking about one ingredient I would suggest zinc oxide for sun protection. For rejuvenation I would suggest Vitamin C in the natural form, as part of the whole plant. It naturally comes from rose hip in the highest content. All people in Northern Europe and Russia drink rose hip tea to improve their immune system after the exhausting long winters. It is great for topical use as well. I use it in many of my products.
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Elina Organics Spa has kindly offered 20% off to our readers with code FashionFiles20. The code is valid for a single-use, first-time customers. It can be used for spa services or Elina Organics skincare purchases online.
Elina Organics Spa is located at 100 E Walton, Suite #600 in Chicago. (312) 274-3474
