With May underway, it’s time spring clean your skin care routine. And by that, I mean switch up your skincare products. This isn’t about an entire overhaul or an expensive shopping spree—just a few simple swaps. After all, you don’t need a plethora of products to nourish and protect your skin. Below, you’ll find a few of my favorite hydrating products. These are some of the best skincare products for sensitive skin. When possible, it’s ideal to choose organic, non-toxic, and clean beauty. These brands don’t use synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and a slew of unwanted ingredients.
How often should you change your skincare products?
Modifying your skin care routine is like eating with the seasons. As dynamic beings, it’s only natural that what we put on our skin ebbs and flows. Among other things, the same concept applies to exercise and our supplement regimen.
As a general rule, you should replace your moisturizer and sunscreen (which you should be wearing year-round) twice a year: once from winter to spring, and once from summer to fall. Reason being, this is when hydration levels and sun exposure change. Think of it this way — if you tweak your wardrobe each season, this essentially coincides with when you should modify your skincare products.
Otherwise, consider adjusting your products when they no longer seem to work. Similar to doing the same exercise routine over and over, it’s possible that your face actually gets used to products. In turn, rendering them ineffective after a certain period of time. This is why a seasonal change is helpful. If a product isn’t working as intended (give it a month), offer it to a family member or friend.
Why you should switch to clean skincare
Unfortunately, the FDA allows chemicals known to cause cancer (like parabens, phalates, formaldehyde, and lead) to be added to products we use on ourselves — and in our homes. There are a variety of reasons to switch to clean, non-toxic skincare products:
- They’re better for the environment (no synthetic chemicals, etc.)
- They’re safer for your skin + body
- They’re made without endocrine-disrupting ingredients
- They’re gentler on sensitive skin
- They’re packed with beneficial botanicals and antioxidants
What’s the difference between Vegan and Cruelty-free cosmetics?
Whether you’ve embraced a vegan lifestyle or are simply looking for plant-based, cruelty-free skincare products, it’s never been easier to incorporate vegan makeup. In fact, more and more beauty brands are jumping on the bandwagon, as consumers are becoming more knowledgeable and passionate about the ingredients in their beauty routines.
From Sephora to Pacifica to Glossier, popular retailers are selling products created with the consumer, the planet, and the animals in mind. You can read more about vegan makeup on my SharedPlanet feature, here. SharedPlanet is another health-forward brand. Not only are the SharedPlanet formulas vegan, but they are made without harsh chemicals, animal testing, or child labor. Many other emerging brands in the industry are also pledging to meet the same standards.
10 Hydrating products for sensitive skin
Living in Colorado, I’m quick to reach for nourishing face oils, moisturizing body lotion, and hydrating lip balm. After all, our climate is very dry. Year-round, hydration is key. Below are my top five clean products for sensitive skin in the spring. Best of all, they’re all under $50.
True Botanicals Nourishing Cleanser
A non-drying, balancing and hydrating facial cleanser that goes to work on congested skin. Sloughs away dead skin cells and leaves skin clean and hydrated. Naturally scented with helichrysum, lavender, and carrot seed to invigorate the senses. This cleanser does an incredible job of removing makeup / sunscreen and mitigating clogged pores / acne.
Evolve Beauty Rose Quartz Facial Polish
This is the best exfoliant I’ve ever tried. It buffs skin and unclogs pores. Packed with natural ingredients, this gentle exfoliator is made with organic rosehip oil (which helps fight signs of aging) and organic hibiscus extract (which helps prevent breakouts by breaking down and clearing dead skin cells). This gentle face scrub is great for all skin types and leaves your skin feeling nourished, clear and smooth.
Naturium Marine Hyaluronic Water Cream
I haven’t come across a Naturium product I don’t love. Including this cream. This next-generation water cream is formulated with marine-based polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid and phytonutrients to provide skin with a burst of beneficial hydration.
Naturium’s Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream
This nourishing, rich moisture cream is formulated with an efficacious level of plant-derived ceramides. What are ceramides? Ceramides hold skin cells firmly together. This not only keeps the fluid in the skin, but also protects it from allergens and external aggressors. Ceramides are super important for healthy functioning skin. This cream helps restore and support the natural moisture barrier to relieve dry skin.
Farmacy Green Defense Sunscreen
An invisible broad-spectrum SPF 30 mineral sunscreen that is never greasy and works great under makeup. This daily skin shield also helps guard against environmental factors associated with aging skin. I put this on every morning (after washing my face with water and spraying on a toner). It doesn’t leave my skin feeling oily and doesn’t leave a white film.
Farmacy Honey GRAIL OIL
A light yet powerful oil to replenish dry, distressed skin with lasting hydration to help visibly plump skin and improve the look of fine lines. For normal to dry skin. Again, with year-round dryness, I love how moisturizing this is. It’s the last step in my nighttime skincare routine!
Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
De-puffs, boosts circulation, and brightens dark circles with caffeine from coffee and green tea. Anti-aging vitamins and rosehip promote a youthful eye area. More eye cream options, here.
Bite Beauty Daytime Lip Balm
A clean, vegan, lanolin-free moisturizing lip balm that hydrates up to 8 hours, with a luxurious glide and no waxy feel. This is my holy grail lip balm.
Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
I’ll let the reviews speak for themselves, but this exfoliating product is a game-changer. My esthetician recommended it, and I’ve never looked back. First and foremost, it smells heavenly. Secondly, it does its job. And it does it well. It tightens pores while cleansing and leaves you with soft, smooth, and hydrated skin.
Biossance Squalane + OMeGA REPAIR CREAM
Another deeply rich and decadent moisturizing repair cream. This has the good fats (lipids) your skin needs to deeply moisturize without leaving your skin feeling greasy. This moisturizing face repair cream is formulated with lipids that mimic and support skin’s natural moisture barrier: squalane, omega fatty acids, ceramides and plant sterols help nourish, plump, hydrate and feed your skin.
Images by Audrey Fretz.
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