AD - This post is in conjunction with Boots UK but all thoughts are my own.
With the days getting longer and mornings becoming lighter, it can only mean one thing - Spring is upon us. And with a change of season, inevitably comes a change of wardrobe, but what about skincare? Do you actively change up your skincare routine for the shift to hopefully warmer, sunnier weather? For some, this may be a simple change to a higher factor facial sun cream but a simple refresh of your entire skincare routine can be what it takes to dust off the cobwebs to hydrated glowing skin.
While your skin may require lighter products in the warmer months of the year it can also need more hydration and thankfully I've come across just the product! Along with a perfect no-shine factor 50 sun cream that truly cannot be felt on the skin as well as possibly the best moisturiser I believe all skin types will love.
Carry on reading if you are ready for a Spring skincare routine shake-up that your skin will thank you for!
A Spring Serum to Boost Hydration
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum (£25/50ml)
If you are wanting to switch up your usual serum with something that will literally feel like a drink for the skin then look no further. With over 2000+ 5-star customer reviews on the Boots website, this is fast becoming a cult favourite amongst skincare lovers and for all the right reasons.
With only 11 simple yet effective ingredients this hydrating serum has been my go-to spring skin hydrator and soother of choice for over a month now and I couldn't be any happier with the results it gives. Think plump, hydrated dewy skin that feels neither sticky nor product laden and you have the Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum in a nutshell.
I've personally been obsessed with using hyaluronic acid in my skincare for years now due to how lightweight yet hydrating it can be, but this formulation has exceeded all my expectations and truly is the best serum I've come across to instantly hydrate the skin and create a healthy-looking base.
If you are wanting to up your skin's hydration levels then this is the serum for you.
Glowing Skin, Guaranteed
Origins GINZING Glow-Boosting Gel Moisturizer (£28.50/50ml)
Out with your ordinary moisturiser and in with this glow-boosting gel moisturiser perfect for Spring. I feel pretty strongly about a change of face creams according to the season and the perfect way to boost your Spring skincare routine is with something that will not only keep the skin hydrated but also add radiance whether that's to fresh bare skin or under makeup.
As someone that struggled with a dull complexion for years, one of my best skincare discoveries was the Origins GinZing range and while I've been a fan of the original Origins GinZing Gel Moisturizer for years it was time to try something new this Spring with the newer Glow-Boosting Gel Moisturizer.
Much like the original formula this tinted looking gel-cream soaks into the skin with a wonderful energising orange scent (perfect for AM use) but also adds a small amount of evenness in tone to the skin which helps you look instantly more fresh-faced!
While the effects are subtle (read: it won't turn you into a disco ball) this delicious smelling cream totally does the job of refreshing the skin and almost adding an inner glow to the skin that is removed of any visible shimmer that other radiance-enhancing creams can sometimes have. So if you are looking to wake up tired skin in the morning with a little extra boost of radiance then I cannot recommend this glow-boosting moisturiser more highly.
A Budget Anti-Aging Option for Ultra Smooth Skin
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Sphere 2% (£6/30ml)
If you are looking to achieve younger, brighter looking skin on a budget then look no further than The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Sphere 2% Vitamin C. A great serum to use to even out skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines, as well as reducing hyperpigmentation and reducing the appearance of acne scarring for a clearer complexion all round.
Used either day or night after water-based skincare this easy-to-apply Vitamin C serum is a wonderful way to tackle multiple skin concerns at once. My own personal reason for switching to this inexpensive Vitamin C product is to improve skin texture, especially in areas of congestion such as around the sides of my nose and chin.
Fortunately for impatient skincare lovers this gritty-feeling but easy to apply treatment shows signs of working immediately, but if you are using this in the AM do make sure to apply high-factor sun cream as well as it will make the skin more sun-sensitive.
So far I have loved the results of this Vitamin C Suspension, but then I do find most of The Ordinary products to work super efficiently. I'm continuing to look forward to seeing a smoother skin base for light Spring/Summer makeup!
SAVVY TIP: If a tingling sensation to the skin occurs (which can happen when starting to use vitamin C products) this suspension can actually be mixed in with daily moisturiser until you build up a tolerance to it.
Think Higher Sun Protection this Spring/Summer
La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel SPF50+ (£18/50ml)
One of the most important things you can do for your skin is to include SPF skincare into your daily routine. So if you aren't doing this already please see this as your sign to do so!
My sun cream brand of choice for over 10 years is La Roche Posay (they also have some fabulous skincare products out there for all skin concerns) as it rewrites what you imagine facial sun cream to be - no more sticky, pore-clogging creams that feel heavy of the skin, especially when under makeup.
This Spring/Summer I'll be using La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel SPF50+ not only because sun cream is essential for full skin protection, but because this dry-touch gel cream simply feels invisible under makeup and creates zero shine.
Specifically formulated for oily skin this is the perfect choice if the combination of warm weather and ordinary sun creams makes your skin excessively shiny or oily, or even breaks you out. It's also a great option if you struggle with makeup staying in place all day when wearing SPF.
I've personally experienced all of these factors when trying to find a good facial sun cream but no more as the formulation of this specific sun cream gel truly is anti-shine and incredibly undetectable on the skin within a minute of application. To say I'm impressed would be an understatement!
SAVVY TIP: If you are unsure of how much to apply (a teaspoon amount is recommended) then opt for a sun cream with a pump applicator such as this one. On initial use, you can measure out how many pumps are required to fill a teaspoon and then from there you will know you are using enough to sufficiently cover your face and neck. This specific sun cream requires three full pumps.
Try This Award-Winning Face Cream, It Doesn't Disappoint
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (£28.50/50ml)
After a full day in the sun, I know, wishful thinking with our British weather, there's nothing I enjoy more than to slather my skin in soothing face cream after thoroughly cleansing off the makeup, SPF and basically general grime of the day. To do this I'm wanting a reliable cream that feels neither too light nor too heavy, that won't clog my pores as I sleep but simple nourish my skin. Simple, right?
Well no, finding an all-round good egg of a moisturiser that suits your skin's ever-changing daily needs can be tricky - I know I've tried a handful of moisturisers this year alone. But then entered the iconic Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream which I've seen consistently recommended by beauty editors for years.
The second I tried this cream I knew it was 'the one', whether I apply it morning or night it feels like the perfect product to seal in the rest of my skincare and leaves my skin feeling thoroughly nourished and soothed without leaving it greasy or sticky. Finally, I understand the 15-year long hype!
Have you given your skincare routine a refresh this season? Let me know in the comments, along with your favourite skincare product to use in Spring.
Fee xo.