Winter to Spring - Transitioning Your Skin Care

It's been months of frigid temperatures, snow, and slush. Spring is finally on the horizon. Winter is on its way out and taking with it the dreary Winter doldrums, and dry, itchy skin.

We spent Winter layering on moisturizers, serums, creams, and oils. Spring's warmer temperatures and increased humidity mean our skin is in for a shock.

Now is the time to begin prepping skin for Spring and the warmer Summer months to follow. Below are some tips for achieving your best, glowing Spring skin.

1. Swap out heavy creams for lighter moisturizers. Skin naturally holds more water during Spring so does not need as much protection.

If you feel like moisturizer is too much, try adding a serum instead. Or consider giving Botanic Elixir moisturizing mist a try in place of creams and oils. This mist is made with Hyaluronic Acid that will draw and hold moisture to cells.

To lighten your face oil, apply face oil to damp skin right after washing or after spritzing with toner or Botanic Elixir. You'll use less oil but still get the benefits from face oil.

For Spring and Summer we recommend Brown Barn's Primrose & Oak Daily Defense Moisturizer. This water-based formula features Cupuacu butter to go on lightly but retains moisture. 

2. Add a minimum of 50 SPF sunscreen. The sun's rays are stronger at this time of year, requiring more protection for skin that has been indoors for the last several months. Select a quality sunscreen, separate from your moisturizer and lotion, with an SPF of at least 50. 

3. Exfoliate. I cannot stress enough the importance of exfoliation for getting that healthy Spring Glow. 

We need to exfoliate when our skin is extra dry. The turning point between Winter and Spring is the perfect time to increase your exfoliation. At Brown Barn, we suggest working with a combination of mechanical and gel/liquid exfoliators and masks.

I recommend alternating between types. If you have not exfoliated for a long time you may want to exfoliate two to three times per week for the first week or two. But reduce your exfoliating as soon as possible to avoid drying out your skin.

Use either of our fun dry clay masks to scrub off dead skin cells that have built up over the Winter. These clay mask mixes can be combined with any liquid to activate. Try avocado, yogurt, or just water!

Use 7 Day Glow BOOST oil based exfoliator to get down deep and refine your Glow. BOOST can be used in a variety of ways - you get a great online video tutorial with purchase, making it easy to use. Use this once per week (with the Facial Scrub a few days apart). 

TIP: When we begin to see results its natural to want to add more! Refrain from this with exfoliators. Seeing results means you've removed the upper layers of build up on your skin. Be careful not to remove or damage healthy skin by going overboard. When you see your Glow, back down to one exfoliator a week - it's much easier to increase as needed than fix damage from over-use.

4. Spring Clean your products. So often we hear from customers who want to know how long our products are "good for". While our products will stay healthy to use for up to 1 year from purchase we do not recommend using them that long.

Once you've opened a product and begun using it other elements come into play that can contaminate your skin care products - touch, water, temperatures. It all plays a part in the longevity of your products. Old used products can host a build-up of bacteria, leading to clogged pores and dull skin.

Use your opened skincare products within 6 months. Replace for fresh products every six months. If you are buying bulk note the open date with a pen on the product label so you will know when to swap out. 

Brown Barn products are packaged with the intent they will be used up in 4 to 6 weeks with regular use. In other words, you should expect to reorder every other month. We package in this manner to ensure your products are always as fresh as possible.

Make-up brushes can also host germs. Wash brushes weekly with regular hand soap, dry with a blow dryer. 

TIP: Store your skincare products in a cool dark place to keep them usable as long as possible. Use a Q-tip or tiny spatula rather than dipping your fingers into jars and bottles. Avoid touching your skin with the tips of droppers. 

Sometimes the simplest change can have the biggest impact on skin. Just a few minor changes in routine will have you glowing on thru the seasons! 

As always, if you have questions we are on hand to help. Email us at customercare@brownbarnbotanicals.com!

Christine Untiedt, Founder, Brown Barn Botanicals

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Notice: These statements and blog content have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in our articles are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and are not intended as medical advice. The content of these blogs and associated products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using products or following blog advice.

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