Springtime means warmer weather and more sunshine. The drastic change from winter to spring can be challenging for skin and it is important to adjust skin care routines to prepare skin for the transition. As explained in an article from Well + Good, the two most essential ingredients to include in a routine during spring are antioxidants and SPF.
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Sunshine and high temperatures can make UV rays stronger and since it is typical to spend more time outside in spring, complexions are at a higher risk for sun damage, which can lead to discoloration, dark spots and wrinkles.
It is essential to use SPF while outside during the spring. Sunscreen should be a daily activity anyway, but its use is of the utmost importance during the spring and summer. Using SPF daily will prevent further UV damage that can cause skin cancer and more prominent signs of aging.
Antioxidants, like vitamin C, are great additions to sunscreen to increase UV protection, according to Dendy Engleman, M.D., a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City. Engleman suggests that the use of both SPF and antioxidants can further prevent UV damage by targeting free radical scavengers in search of a missing electron, neutralizing the damage.
While vitamin C and SPF may already be part of the daily skin care routine, it is especially important to stay consistent with use during the warmer seasons and to reapply sunscreen while sunbathing or swimming.
