If your skin suddenly feels a little… unpredictable come spring, you’re not imagining it. The shift from winter to warmer weather is one of the most disruptive moments in the skincare calendar. Skin that behaved perfectly well a few weeks ago can suddenly feel reactive, congested, dull, or suddenly prone to unexpected breakouts.
According to Dr Emma Goulding, Aesthetic Doctor and Founder of Emma Goulding Aesthetics, the reason is simple: your skin is recalibrating. “Many people notice their skin suddenly becomes more reactive as the seasons change, and spring is one of the biggest transition periods for the skin. After months of colder weather, indoor heating, and heavier skincare products, the skin barrier can often be slightly compromised. At the same time, rising temperatures, increased humidity, pollen, and stronger UV exposure all place new stress on the skin.”
The result? A confusing mix of concerns appearing all at once. “This is why spring often brings a combination of concerns; congestion, dullness, sensitivity, or unexpected breakouts,” she explains. “The skin is essentially recalibrating. Rather than overloading it with actives, the focus should be on resetting the routine, strengthening the barrier, and gradually reintroducing treatments that support healthy cell turnover.”
The good news? A few thoughtful tweaks to your routine can help your skin move smoothly into the new season. Hip & Healthy tapped some of the top dermatology and aesthetic experts to find out exactly how to tweak your skincare routine for spring. Here’s what they had to say…
Start With a Skin Barrier Reset
Before introducing new actives or treatments, many experts recommend beginning the season with a simple reset. “Spring is one of the most common times for skin to feel unpredictable because the barrier is adjusting to changes in temperature, humidity, and environmental exposure,” says Dr Richard Devine, Aesthetic Doctor and Founder of Devine Clinic. “After winter, the skin can often be slightly compromised from indoor heating, cold air and heavier skincare products.” His recommendation? Focus first on rebuilding the skin’s protective barrier. “I usually recommend starting the season with a barrier reset. Ingredients such as ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, and panthenol help rebuild the lipid layer of the skin.” His top barrier-repairing products include the Avène Tolérance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream, La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5, or the Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm.
Similarly, Dr Goulding often advises patients to simplify their routines when skin feels reactive. “When the skin feels reactive, focus on barrier-supporting formulas such as SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore, Dr Jart+ Ceramidin Cream, or La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Fluid, which help calm inflammation while rebuilding the skin barrier.”
La Roche-Posay ‘Cicaplast Baume B5+’ – £19.50
Focus on Barrier Health for “Glass Skin”
While social media trends often credit aggressive exfoliation for glowing skin, the real secret is much simpler. “The ‘glass skin’ trend is less about aggressive exfoliation and more about optimal skin health,” says Koles. “When the barrier is supported and hydration levels are balanced, the skin naturally appears smoother, clearer, and more luminous.” Ingredients like niacinamide, panthenol, and centella asiatica can help calm inflammation while strengthening the skin barrier.
Lighten Up Your Moisturiser
Winter skincare often leans heavily on rich creams designed to protect against cold weather and dry indoor air. But once temperatures rise, those same formulas can sometimes feel a little too heavy. “One of the simplest seasonal adjustments is transitioning away from very heavy winter creams,” says Dr Goulding. “As temperatures rise, richer formulations can sometimes contribute to congestion or dullness.”
Instead, opt for lighter hydrators that rely on humectants rather than heavier occlusive formulas. “Lighter moisturisers containing humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and beta-glucan provide hydration without overwhelming the skin,” she says. Products like the SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel or Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream offer hydration while maintaining a lightweight feel, ideal for spring.
SkinCeuticals ‘Hydrating B5 Gel’ – £88
Layer Hydration
Spring skincare isn’t just about lighter products — it’s also about smarter hydration.
“Spring skincare should focus on restoring hydration at multiple levels of the skin,” says Dr Nabil Jetha, Aesthetic Doctor and founder of the Dr Nabil Jetha Clinic. “Humectants such as hyaluronic acid attract and bind moisture, while barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids help seal that hydration into the skin.” Layering products can make a noticeable difference. “Applying a hydrating serum before moisturiser can significantly improve hydration levels,” he explains.
Expect (and Manage) Spring Breakouts
If you notice more congestion or breakouts around this time of year, you’re far from alone. “Spring breakouts are incredibly common because the skin is adjusting to warmer temperatures and increased humidity,” explains Anastasia Koles, Aesthetic Nurse and founder of ALTA Mediclinic. “During winter we often rely on richer moisturisers and heavier formulations, which can start to feel too occlusive once the weather warms up.” Combined with increased oil production and environmental exposure, this shift can cause congestion. “This can lead to small whiteheads or inflammation, particularly around the chin and cheeks,” she explains. “This can lead to small whiteheads or inflammation, particularly around the chin and cheeks.” The key is to resist the urge to strip the skin. “Instead of stripping the skin, focus on gentle exfoliation and balanced hydration,” Koles says. She recommends products such as Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10%, paired with a lightweight moisturiser.
Paula’s Choice ‘Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Toner ‘- £28
Reintroduce Gentle Exfoliation
After winter, dullness is another common complaint. The colder months can cause dead skin cells to accumulate more easily, leaving the complexion looking lacklustre. “Gentle exfoliation helps restore brightness and improve texture,” says Koles. But aggressive exfoliation isn’t the answer. “Instead of harsh acids, I prefer milder options such as lactic acid, mandelic acid, or PHAs.” That’s why she recommends formulas like Sunday Riley Good Genes or The Inkey List PHA Toner, which can help improve radiance without disrupting the skin barrier.
The Inkey List ‘PHA Toner’ – £13
Try Skin Cycling
If your routine includes active ingredients like retinoids, a more structured approach may help reduce irritation during seasonal transitions. “Skin cycling can be particularly helpful when transitioning into spring,” says Dr Devine. “Alternating nights between exfoliation, retinoids, and recovery helps maintain results while preventing irritation.” On treatment nights, he suggests using a gentle retinal such as Medik8 Crystal Retinal or SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 to support skin renewal. Recovery nights, meanwhile, should focus on calming and repairing the skin barrier using ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and centella asiatica.
Add Antioxidants
With longer daylight hours comes increased environmental exposure — and greater need for antioxidant protection. “As daylight hours increase, so does exposure to environmental stressors,” says Dr Jetha. “Antioxidants play an important role in protecting the skin from oxidative damage caused by UV radiation and pollution.” Vitamin C is particularly useful during this time of year. “It helps brighten the complexion while also supporting collagen production.” His favourites include the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster, and Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum.
Allies of Skin ‘20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum’ – £30
Don’t Forget SPF
One of the biggest seasonal mistakes? Underestimating the spring sun. “UV exposure increases significantly during this season,” says Dr Devine. “Daily broad-spectrum SPF50 should always be applied in the morning.”
Consider a Seasonal Skin Treatment
Spring is the perfect time to book yourself in for in-clinic treatments designed to refresh and rejuvenate. “Non-ablative lasers and light-based treatments, such as broadband light (BBL), can help improve skin tone, reduce pigmentation, and restore clarity,” says Dr Jetha.
“Microneedling is also beneficial for stimulating collagen production and improving overall skin quality.” For those experiencing dehydration or dullness, treatments like skin boosters or biostimulatory injectables can help restore hydration and elasticity. “The aim in spring is not aggressive correction,” he explains. “It’s restoring luminosity and strengthening the skin barrier so the complexion looks healthy and resilient heading into summer.”
Stay Flexible
Perhaps the most important rule of seasonal skincare is simple: stay flexible. “Seasonal skincare should always be responsive,” says Dr Goulding. “Your skin’s needs may change week to week depending on humidity, temperature and sun exposure.” Her advice is to focus on the fundamentals. “A routine centred on hydration, barrier support and sun protection will always deliver the healthiest results.”
Words by Frankie Jabarkhyl
