5 things I've changed to improve my spring skincare routine
By Carla Snuggs

This spring, I have made some changes to my skincare routine, thanks to these fabulous tips from Skin Authority CEO Celeste Hilling.

#1) Let New Skin In
Get rid of the dead, dehydrated skin that’s accumulated over the winter by using a light exfoliator or resurfacing agent. I suggest nightly at-home treatments, such as using a cream-based vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) or gel-based Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) products. The most effective home resurfacing treatments contain 10-15 percent AHA.

Image courtesy Cosmopolitan.co.uk

#2) Create a Healthy Spring Detox
Detoxing the skin helps to eliminate toxins that can lead to age spots; adult acne; or oily, red, itchy skin. In addition to nightly resurfacing, I recommend applying clay-based masks a few times per week. For your body, dry brushing is fantastic. Several times weekly, I use a professional dry brush before showering or bathing to slough off dead skin. Simply use the brush in circular motions starting at your feet and work your way up. More tips for a natural skin detox:

• Give yourself a week of staying off “congesting” foods like animal fats, dairy, white bread, fast foods and sugar.
• Exercise gets your heart beating and your skin sweating, which helps to cleanse toxins.
• Drink more water. If you want extra detoxing power and/or don’t prefer plain water, add some lemon to promote healthy digestion and flush toxins.

#3) Be Sun Safe
Even if you’re indoors, you need to wear a sunscreen with full-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Most of the sun exposure that ages us comes from the windows of your car, home, or office. A full-spectrum sunscreen will capture the UVA rays before they cause damage. As I said earlier, look for sunscreen and moisturizer in one product to save time and money.

#4) Sunless tanning
Sunless tanning is the way to go in order to avoid the skin- and health-threatening effects of sun exposure. You may not realize you should not go into the sun for several hours after putting on bronzing products because they contain chemicals that make skin more sensitive to sun exposure. Instead, apply these products later in the day and sleep in them.

#5) Use skincare oils
Not only will oils make your skin shine, they also reflect light and conceal flaws, such as veins, scars, and cellulite. Avocado oil is one of my go-to oils. It soothes, protects, and moisturizes skin with its high concentration of vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants.

If you're looking to revamp your spring skincare routine, here are some of Posh Beauty Blog's recommendations.

Spring Skincare Products

Filorga Scrub & Mask + Detox Body Treatment

Filorga Paris has some amazing skin renewing products for spring. Filorga Scrub & Mask exfoliates and oxygenates the skin as it has a dual texture that transforms the scrub into an air-filled mousse that boosts cellular respiration and regenerates skin cells.  The Detox Body Treatment is incredible! This two-in-one aerosol and mouse aims to nourish the skin and reduce water retention, addressing dry, rough skin and bloating while radically enhancing skin’s look and feel.

Dove Dove Dry Oil Collection

I was so excited to try the Dove Dry Oil products Infused with Moroccan Argan Oil, Dove Dry Oil is specifically formulated to address one of women’s biggest skin concerns for spring and summer - dry skin. The Dove Dry Oil Moisture Body Wash and Beauty Bar are spring must-haves. Dove Dry Oil Moisture Body Wash is special because other body washes only add moisture to the top layer of skin after it has been stripped of essential lipids and proteins during the cleansing process . Only Dove uses NutriumMoisture, which can penetrate surface skin up to 10 layers deep in the Stratum Corneum. With a 1⁄4 moisturizing cream and Moroccan Argan Oil, the Dove Dry Oil Beauty Bar gently cleanses and cares for your skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Dove is not a soap. It’s a beauty bar and does not dry your skin like ordinary soap.

Susan Ciminelli Seawater & Very Berry Antioxidant Serum

One new brand that I've discovered is a line of products by Susan Ciminelli. My faves are the Sea Water and the Very Berry Antioxidant Serum. Susan Ciminelli Seawater is an antioxidant-rich beauty potion made of slightly desalinated, purified seawater that acts as a natural astringent. Even better than a toner, Seawater drives moisture deep into the skin and refines pores. Rich in pine bark extract, European sea salt and natural trace minerals, it stimulates collagen growth, restores skin cells to their youth, as well as hydrates and balances the skin. My skin feels youthful and hydrated with every use. I then follow up with the Very Berry Antioxidant Serum. This high-powered fruit serum  is made with berries from the Amazon and is a natural version of a glycolic peel. Rich in rejuvenating antioxidants and vitamins, Very Berry Antioxidant Serum prevents wrinkles, combats free radicals, and repairs skin tone, texture and elasticity. It gives my skin such a brightness. Purchase: Susanciminelli.com

Nerium Age Defying Night and Day Creams

If you love Nerium products, you must try their Age-Defying Night and Day Creams, NeriumAD® Formula, which provide a full 24/7 system for weather protection, featuring highly emollient bases of aloe barbadensis leaf juice for extreme moisture and hydration. Plus, the Night and Day Cream are lightweight, which is great for the slightly warmer spring weather. I especially love the Night Cream, which has a soft, unique, breathable mask-like texture. It contains a cocktail of hydrating oils, including: castor seed oil, which is super-hydrating and softens the skin; olus oil, which moisturizes and hydrolyzed quinoa, which soothes irritated skin. The Day Cream provides extra protection with a formula that contains jojoba esters, a lightweight, natural moisturizer for long-lasting hydration along with various antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C and green tea) to guard against damage. Both are available at Nerium.com. 

Jeffrey James Botanicals The Exfoliant

Keep it radiant with a five minute luxurious facial using Jeffrey James Botanicals The Exfoliant. Acai berries and bamboo heal and tone skin while organic aloe vera, essential oils and raspberries draw out toxins. High in antioxidants and bioflavonoids, this scrub nourishes and protects the skin while gently exfoliating for accelerated cell turnover. The cranberry and Raspberry Fibers are perfect for spring because they contain powerful antioxidants that gently exfoliate and work to draw toxins from the skin. Purchase: Jeffreyjamesbotanicals.com

Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Grapefruit

Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Body Butter in Vanilla Grapefruit  absorbs instantly for deeply hydrated, luxuriously soft skin. 100% pure Shea & Cocoa Butters blend with powerful antioxidants and essential oils for long-lasting hydration. With super soft scents and a non-greasy formula, prepare for the ultimate indulgence.

EmerginC Ginger-lime Sugar Scrub

Hydrate and condition your skin with 100% botanical extracts. emerginC ginger-lime sugar scrub is gentle enough for everyday use, the scrub contains sugar, antioxidant rich shea butter, coconut oil, grapeseed oil and more to clean, exfoliate and improve skin’s tone and texture. Exfoliate for 1-2 minutes. Remove scrub with a warm steamed towel or shower. Purchase: EmerginC.com

ClarityRx Get Clean  

This unique exfoliator delicately polishes away dull, dead skin, stimulating renewal for a fresher, glowing complexion. Get Clean encourages cellular turnover, while rosemary, calendula and cucumber soothe and calm irritation. Skin’s clarity is improved and texture is refined and softened. To use, apply a small amount to cleaned wet face and massage gently. Purchase: Clartiyclinicalskincare.com

Flora•py Facial Sheet Masks

Flora•py facial sheet masks combine floral ingredients with aromatherapy essential oils to help restore,replenish and hydrate your skin, while giving you a much needed time out to unwind.They provide extreme hydration to your skin, like allowing your skin to take a giant drink of water!  The sheets are natural, vegan friendly and paraben-free and come in 8 varieties including, anti-aging, detox, stress-relief, deep hydration and more. They use a coconut material delivery system that holds 20x its own weight in water and adheres gently to the surface of the skin to ensure all the benefits infused in the mask can transfer and absorb into the skin.  During the 15-20 minute mask treatment, you’ll experience the cooling sensation of the floral therapy facial sheet and breathe in the benefits of aromatherapy. They retail for $8 and up at Florapybeauty.com. 

Jane iredale BeautyPrep

jane iredale just launched BeautyPrep™ Face Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer. This trio of high-performance skin care is the first specifically designed to optimize the wear and longevity of mineral makeup. They prepare, protect and pump the skin full of hydration so makeup goes on smoother and lasts longer. The cleanser and toner are both awarded ECOCERT Natural Cosmetics certification. The BeautyPrep trio includes BeautyPrep™ Face Cleanser , BeautyPrep™ Face Toner, and BeautyPrep™ Face Moisturizer My favorite is the moisturizer. It features four different organic Rose Stem Cell Extracts, each with a different function to cater to all skin types. It keeps my skin ultra-moisturized and makeup goes on flawlessly.

NuSkin’s Epoch Sole Solution

NuSkin’s Epoch Sole Solution. Because our feet were bundled in boots during the winter months means they need some TLC once we start wearing sandals. Soft, touchable feet are always in season, but especially in the spring when you break out the sandals and peep-toe pumps. Epoch Sole Solution is made of crushed allspice berry used by indigenous people in the rainforests of Central America to relieve persistent dry, cracked, red skin on feet. After just a few applications overnight with my overnight moisture socks, my feet feel silky smooth! 

Christie Brinkley Complete Clarity Cleansing Wash

Christie Brinkley has a fabulous line of skincare products. For spring, try Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare Complete Clarity Facial Cleansing Wash . It helps remove impurities and protects your skin with a moisture barrier, leaving it incredibly soft and smooth.

Disclosure: Press samples were provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and honest review.