As the remainder of winter melts away, we begin our transition into the bright warmth and gentle breeze of a new season: spring. As the weather changes we definitely notice how this has an effect on our skin; from cold weather-induced dryness and irritation to excess sebum and breakouts, there’s a whole slew of new skin concerns to tackle. This is your guide to transitioning your winter routine to your spring routine, adjusting for the seasonal changes to ensure your skin remains healthy and strong. We discuss how to tackle blemishes, congested skin, and the skincare swaps to make for your best skin this spring. Just keep scrolling to learn about everything you need to know.

Spring-clean your stash

Before you proceed with your routine, do a sweep to remove any products past their expiration date. Expired skincare is no longer effective as the active ingredients do not provide the benefits they are supposed to, and continuing the use of them can result in skin irritation or damage. K-beauty products typically have their expiration dates printed on the side or bottom of the container, so all you have to do is give your collection a check to weed out any items you should toss.

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Isntree

Need a little inspo for your sunscreen collection after removing your expired SPFs? The Isntree Onion Newpair Sunscreen SPF40 PA+++ is powered by Red Onion extract that helps to reduce and soothe blemishes and even skin tone. The lightweight chemical sunscreen features Glycoproteins that deliver a pore-blurring finish, in addition to a purple tint that color-corrects any complexion discoloration.

Decongest winter skin

With all the dead skin cells, impurities and excess sebum that accumulate on the skin during winter, you may be experiencing skin congestion. An uneven texture, dullness and blackheads are all telltale signs of a congested complexion, and a quick, painless way to decongest is to apply a clay mask. Clay is an effective ingredient for absorbing impurities from the skin, leaving it softer and smoother afterwards.

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - innisfree

Volcanic clusters join forces with AHA to form the innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, your 10-minute facial in a jar. This creamy non-drying clay mask touts multiple benefits, including pore purification, exfoliation and skin texture improvement. It imparts a cooling sensation upon application and reduces overall oiliness in the pores sans stripping the skin of hydration.

Switch to lighter formulas

As the cold weather eases and the temps slowly get warmer, your winter skincare products are likely to feel overly rich and heavy. The winter-to-spring transition calls for lighter skincare textures and layers that still give you the necessary hydration and nourishment you need without weighing your skin down. This is applicable to all product types, whether you’re shifting from an essence toner to a more watery formula, or cream SPF to gel.

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Isntree

If you were obsessed with the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream during the previous season, switch over to the sister Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream for springtime. 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid provide long-lasting hydration to the complexion as the jelly-like texture sinks in, with Betaine further ramping up its quenching benefits and Centella Asiatica providing soothing care. As it balances sebum and hydration levels within the skin, the cream keeps it fresh and dewy on the surface.

Beat sensitivity with calming ingredients

Skin sensitivity is a common occurrence as it gets irritated by the change in weather and season. You may be experiencing sensitivity if your skin is inflamed, itchy, flaking or red. While it may be annoying to deal with, incorporating calming ingredients into your skincare routine can vastly improve the health and appearance of your skin. These ingredients work to soothe irritation and restore the skin barrier, returning the skin back to its original state.

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Round Lab

One Korean Hanbang ingredient suitable for calming skin irritation is Mugwort, found in the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Serum. Rich in antioxidants, it promotes skin healing and offers a dose of hydration to relieve dry and irritated skin. For an overnight treatment with soothing benefits, the PURITO Dermide Cica Barrier Sleeping Pack uses Centella Asiatica to comfort and replenish the skin, protecting it from environmental stressors during the day.

Quell blemishes the right way

Seasonal changes can also aggravate acne breakouts, especially if you have acne-prone skin. If you find your skin freaking out during this time, the first thing to remember is to NOT pop your pimples. Doing so can harm your skin barrier and lead to more issues like scarring and hyperpigmentation, that take an even longer time to heal. Instead, grab an acne treatment that will soothe and improve the appearance of your blemishes without causing further damage.

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Axis-Y

The Axis-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment is a restorative gel treatment with anti-bacterial properties that targets irritation, clogged pores, and blemishes. Fortified with Tea Tree extract and Green Tea Leaf, it’s intended to be applied on targeted areas to allow the treatment to work its magic. Alternatively, the PETITFEE Centella Clearing Spot Patch employs hydrocolloid technology to clear the skin of bacteria and unclog pores. The invisible matte finish of the patches allow you to apply them whenever you want without an obvious appearance.

Set up your exfoliation routine

Considering spring is the symbol for renewal and a new start, it’s only right that you get on top of your exfoliation game. Exfoliation serves to aid the cell renewal process that sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, more luminous complexion underneath. Not only will getting rid of dead skin cells make way for fresh skin to shine through, it also allows your skincare products to sink into the skin and actually let them do their jobs.

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Mediheal

With just a couple of swipes, the Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad gets you radiant and refined skin. Its key ingredients include Papaya Enzyme and LHA, both of which gently exfoliate the complexion and remove waste. Not only can they be used at the toner step of your daily routine, but they can also be used as targeted mask treatments to reduce signs of aging and improve the appearance of pores.

Start your spring transition today by shopping for the essential routine picks! Make sure you’re following us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keeping an eye on the VANA Blog, so you receive all the latest news, promos and information!