Nourish your skin this spring

Months of cold weather, central heating and richer creams can leave skin looking dull, dry, flaky, and dehydrated. As temperatures drop, the skin’s natural barrier becomes compromised, allowing moisture to escape.  

“By spring, many women have a build-up of dead skin cells, and their complexions are looking dull and lacklustre,” says Gemma Clare, Holistic Skin and Wellbeing Expert.  “Often, what seems like dryness is actually dehydration, but before you can rehydrate and nourish your skin, you need to prepare it, so that skincare products can be absorbed more effectively.”

The good news is that as the weather gets warmer and more humid, it becomes easier for skin to hold onto moisture. Combine that with the right skincare, including skin smoothing exfoliation, lightweight hydrators, nourishing formulations and in-clinic treatments, and your skin will soon start to look fresher, smoother and more hydrated.

With optimal results taking up to three months, there’s no point in investing in new skincare products before you’ve done the groundwork.  Here are the tactics EV Experts recommend to get your skin back on track.

Exfoliation

Spring is the ideal time to exfoliate, but how often and what you choose depends on your skin type and needs. “Personally, I prefer a facial wash with exfoliating beads to help remove dead skin cells and give skincare products a better chance to penetrate and do their job,” says Amish Patel, BEM, Aesthetics Trainer, Practitioner and Skincare Expert, Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic.

Always consult a practitioner before booking an exfoliating treatment, who will assess your skin type, sensitivity levels and any specific concerns, such as acne or pigmentation, to recommend the most effective option eg: chemical peel, enzyme peel, exfoliating facial.  

A practitioner will also guide you on the right ingredients, strengths, and aftercare to avoid irritation or damage. If you’ve had a chemical peel or a treatment with retinol for example, it’s essential you stay out of the sun for at least a week afterwards.  

At home, if you have dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin, you should opt for gentle exfoliation—enzyme-based products, gentle scrubs, or poly-hydroxy acids (PHAs), to avoid irritation. Oily skin types should choose hydroxy acids (HAs), like salicylic acid, or stronger scrubs to penetrate deep into pores and dissolve oil.

Product pick: ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish contains magnesium crystals to exfoliate dead skin cells, and protective antioxidant vitamins A, C and D.

Lighten up 

As temperatures rise, switch to lighter formulations like serums and gel-based moisturisers. “These absorb quickly and help maintain moisture without feeling heavy,” says Clare. “Look out for formulations that contain hyaluronic acid and peptides, and avoid oil-based products, especially if you have oily skin, as these can cause congestion.”  

“You can have oily skin, and it can become dehydrated," Clare continues. "When lines become deeper, this is often caused by dehydration. Often, lines will soften and even disappear once you restore moisture levels.”

Prepare skin with a moisture boosting HydraFacial, which includes a deep cleanse, exfoliation and lymphatic drainage massage to get the circulation going. Follow up with a skin booster with polynucleotides or exosomes to give your skin deeper, long-lasting hydration.

Polynucleotides stimulate collagen production, enhance tissue repair, and strengthen the skin barrier, which helps your skin to retain moisture more effectively. Exosome-based treatments promote cellular renewal, smoother texture and improved elasticity.

Treatment pick: Juvéderm Skinvive skin booster provides up to nine months ‘hydration from within’ after a single treatment.

Product pick: Alumier MD Ultra Boost Serum is infused with botanical extracts, niacinamide and peptides, to hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

SPF sense

“Lots of skincare products are formulated with SPFs,” says Clare. “But I always recommend applying a medical grade SPF 30-50 in the morning after you’ve cleansed and applied serum, to be sure skin is totally protected from harmful UV rays—using an SPF also helps preserve moisture by protecting the skin from sun-induced dehydration.”

Product pick: AlumierMD Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF30 is a tinted mineral sunscreen containing protective antioxidants.

Antioxidants

Antioxidant skincare helps protect your skin from environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, and free radicals that can damage the skin. Look out for ingredients including vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea and niacinamide for firmer, brighter, more youthful looking skin.  

“Choose lightweight products that hydrate without feeling heavy,” says Clare. “A vitamin C serum in the morning, followed by a lightweight moisturiser and sunscreen, will help to keep skin protected."

Product pick: Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum is formulated with different types of vitamin C, and contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep skin hydrated.

Supplement support  

“While you can support your skin with certain supplements, it’s best to consult a holistic skincare practitioner for a more personalised approach,” says Clare.

Collagen peptides provide amino acids that help maintain skin structure, firmness and elasticity. As natural collagen declines with age, supplements may help improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Try: Correxiko Marine Collagen Peptides Powder which contains all the essential amino acids.

Vitamin C is crucial for healthy skin—it plays a key role in collagen synthesis and acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping defend the skin against oxidative stress from UV exposure and pollution.
Try: Altrient Liposomal Vitamin C (1000mg) for 98 per cent absorption. Clinical trials have shown 50 per cent greater hydration after four weeks.

Omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA help maintain the skin’s lipid barrier, locking in moisture and reducing dryness. They also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Try: Healthspan High Strength Omega 3 (1000mg), which is made with purified fish oil.

Vitamin D supports immune function and skin cell growth. With hardly any sun in the UK, after a long winter, most people are depleted in this important vitamin. Always take vitamin D3 with K2, so calcium gets absorbed properly in the body.
Try: Viridian D3 & K2 – 90 capsules.