How To Transition Your Skin From Winter To Spring

Considering it was almost 50 degrees in New York today, I'm going to assume that spring is on its way in and winter is on its way out. After all, the groundhog did say we wouldn't have six more weeks of winter. I'm going to go ahead and forget about snow and pretend 50 degree temps are here to stay. This changing of seasons not only means lighter jackets and brighter nail polish, it also means it's time to transition your skincare routine from winter to spring. I turned to Danae Markland, education director and vice president of business development for PCA SKIN, to tell us how to do just that.

PCA SKIN was founded in 1990 by an aesthetician who worked directly with a group of physicians on creating a skincare line that combined medical and aesthetic techniques to provide customers with their best skin possible. Markland filled me in on how to treat dry winter skin so that it transitions to spring seamlessly.

"The skin tends to start feeling more oily as temperatures start to rise," Markland says. "Consider changing to a more matte-finish SPF product for during the day and a lighter evening moisturizer as we head into spring."

Makes sense, right? Read on for more of Markland's tips (and her favorite products) for how to keep your skin looking light and bright.

1. Spring Clean Your Pores

PCA Skin Purifying Mask, $58, Amazon

"The concept of 'spring cleaning' can also apply to the skin," Markland says. "Clean out clogged pores and rid the skin of cell build-up with chemical peels and deep pore cleansing treatments."

2. Find An SPF You'll Actually Use

PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad SPF 45, $43, Amazon

"If you’re not using it every morning already — you should be — make sure you have a broad-spectrum sunscreen that you like the feel of and will apply every single morning." Markland says. She loves this one for its lack of greasy residue.

3. Exfoliate With Antioxidants

PCA Skin Revitalizing Mask, $58, Amazon

"If you like doing at-home weekly treatments in between visits to your clinician, consider a weekly mask with papaya enzyme to exfoliate the skin while providing additional antioxidants," Markland says.

4. Use Vitamin C To Brighten During The Day

PCA Skin C&E Strength, $97, Amazon

If you have dark spots or a muddled complexion, Vitamin C is your best friend for brightening. "Using a combination of vitamins E and C will help to breakdown existing discolorations, prevent future brown spots from surfacing and increase cell turnover for a younger-looking, more even complexion," Markland says.

5. Use Retinol To Brighten At Night

PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment, $106, Amazon

We know retinol is one of the keys to good skin, but Markland swears by combining that with a few other chemicals. "Other ingredients to look for in brightening products are niacinamide, resveratrol and hexylresorcinol," she says.

With these tips from Markland, I'm ready to throw out my heavy moisturizers and turn to some lighter spring products. Brighter skin is on its way!

Images: StockSnap/Pixabay, Courtesy of Brand