Spring Skin Care and Rehydrating Your Hands

It’s a new season, so it’s time to talk about new skincare! Spring is a time of renewal, and after months of alternating between hot and dry indoor air and the wash cold outside your skin is ready for a change. Your skincare needs to change every time the weather or season changes, so we have put together some tips on how to achieve your most glowing, radiant, and healthy skin this spring.

1. Remember to exfoliate 

The winter often makes our skin feel dry, flaky, and dull. You’ll want to get rid of that feeling and the dead skin cells before spring arrive, and for that we recommend exfoliating. Exfoliating helps to remove the dead surface skin cells and reveal fresh layers of skin. Not only do you achieve healthier and clearer skin, but your skin is also better prepared to absorb products more effectively allowing you to achieve that flawless spring look.

For your body skin, use an exfoliating body scrub in the shower or bath once or twice a week paying close attention to those areas that are prone to developing rough patches such as your arms, elbows, hands, feet, and back.

Remember that most body scrubs are too rough to use on your face, so use a gentle product designed specifically to exfoliate your face and always remember to follow-up with a moisturizer after exfoliating.

2. Lighten up

While the winter required us to slather on thick, heavy products and moisturizers from head to toe, using the same products during the spring can leave you with greasy skin and clogged pores. Choose lighter skincare products such as lotions and gels to keep your skin healthy and hydrated without weighing you down. Look for products that contain hydrating ingredients which will help to add a natural glow to your complexion.

3. Protect your skin

UVA rays penetrate through windows, so make sure to apply sunscreen every day and remember to reapply.  We recommend using an SPF of at least SPF 30 on a daily basis. For patients interested in antiaging and sun protection, we love Neocutis Journee SPF 30 and MicroDay SPF 30. Both products contain ingredients to boost collagen and antioxidants to repair the damage.

Look for using a sunscreen with SPF >45 if you have a history of melasma and/or if you will be in the sun for longer periods of time.  For patients with melasma, Colorescience EvenUp SPF 50 is a great option. It contains mineral-based sunscreen, antioxidants, and skin brighteners. Remember to stay hydrated, wear loose clothing as well as hats and sunglasses, and reapply sunscreen every 1.5-2 hours if you are outdoors.

Though we understand many of us may not be spending a great deal of time outside enjoying the spring weather due to certain circumstances, we would still like to offer our help this season. Many of us are washing our hands more often now that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has continued to emphasize that washing our hands can greatly reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, the constant washing and bathing of our hands in soaps and sanitizers can lead to dryness and even deep cracks in our skin allowing bacteria to freely enter our bodies. Fortunately, there are many ways to help keep your hands clean, hydrated, and healthy this season!

When we wash our hands, the natural barrier of protective oils on our skin is washed away by soap and as a result, leaves our skin unprotected and dry. With over-washing your hands, the effect can be tenfold causing people to experience redness, bleeding, scales, itching, flaking, and cracks or fissures in the skin. Those with pre-existing dermatologic conditions such as eczema can develop worsening symptoms.

How to combat dry hands from frequent washing

• Use a mild, fragrance-free soap.  While antibacterial soaps and harsh sanitizers seem like great options, in overuse they can be severely damaging to your skin.
• Wash your hands with warm water for at least 20 seconds each time. Not only is hot water uncomfortable but it can dry out your hands even more.
• After patting your hands dry, apply a moisturizer. Your hands don’t have to be completely dry as moisturizing slightly damp hands is best and it helps to lock in that extra moisture.
• We recommend using thicker hand creams with the key ingredients of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Ceramides are a type of lipid in our skin which helps maintain our skin barrier and seal in moisture. Hyaluronic acid works to bind water and increase skin moisturization. Some of our dermatologists’ favorites include CeraVe cream, Aveeno eczema care cream, Aveeno intense moisture repair, Avene Cicalfate, and Neutrogena Norweigan formula hand cream.
• If possible, treat your hands overnight by applying a thick moisturizer to your hands and then wearing cotton gloves as you sleep. This will help your hands absorb the moisture and heal them as you sleep.
• Using a humidifier is also helpful to reduce overall dry skin.

For more information on spring skincare or how to combat dry hands from frequent washing, contact The Pearl Dermatology today.