All
[3 Articles]

Supporting Skin Through the Seasonal Shift

Vol 34 Laura Roodhouse

Spring is a season of renewal — a chance to realign with nature’s rhythms and refresh your skincare rituals. As the seasons shift, your skin naturally responds: changes in temperature, humidity, and the environment influence hydration, barrier function, and overall balance. Longer days increase vitamin D, boost serotonin, and reset circadian rhythms.

Post-winter skin may show dehydration, sensitivity, and a weakened barrier. Environmental stressors can strip moisture and lipids, leaving skin prone to irritation and dullness. This is the perfect time to replenish hydration, strengthen the lipid barrier, and encourage gentle cellular renewal.


Skin Microbiome: Your Invisible Shield

The skin microbiome is a living ecosystem of beneficial bacteria that plays a vital role in barrier health. Common groups include Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Cutibacterium, and Micrococcus. Together, they regulate immune responses, protect against pathogens, and strengthen the skin barrier. A balanced microbiome reduces inflammation and helps skin tolerate environmental stress.

Spring can heighten skin sensitivity, particularly for allergy-prone or reactive skin. Your microbiome acts as an invisible shield, calming inflammation, neutralising pathogens and histamines, and helping skin stay balanced. Airborne allergens like pollen are more prevalent in spring, and when the microbiome is disrupted by harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation, or other seasonal stressors, the skin becomes more prone to inflammation, itching, and congestion.

Supporting your microbiome with gentle, mindful rituals helps your skin stay balanced, resilient, and radiant as it transitions through the seasons.

Nurturing your skin this Spring 

Sun Protection

SPF protects your skin at a cellular level, preventing collagen breakdown, pigmentation changes, and barrier disruption. Daily use of a physical SPF is one of the most effective ways to maintain long-term skin resilience.

Hydration & Barrier Repair
Swap heavy winter creams for lighter emulsions with humectants like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. These replenish hydration, reinforce the barrier, and maintain skin balance.

Skin soaking

Pre-hydrating the skin before applying active ingredients is especially important for dry or barrier-impaired skin. Humectants like hyaluronic acid draw water to the surface, but if the skin isn’t already hydrated, they can pull moisture from deeper layers, worsening dehydration. A skin bath ensures optimal absorption, enhances hydration, and helps protect the skin barrier.

Anti-Inflammation

Spring can heighten skin sensitivity, especially for reactive or allergy-prone skin. Strengthening the barrier and incorporating calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients reduces flare-ups. Ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, niacinamide, and soothing botanicals help calm irritation, support barrier function, and protect against seasonal triggers.

Omega Oils

Topical omega oils nourish the skin barrier, providing essential fatty acids — the building blocks of healthy cell membranes. Applied as the final step, they lock in hydration, support absorption of actives, and reinforce barrier repair. For dry, reactive, or ageing skin, these oils offer lightweight yet deeply restorative support.

Vitamin A / Bakuchiol

Supports gentle cell turnover, repairs winter damage, and restores skin balance. This naturally derived form of Vitamin A works with the skin barrier to boost collagen, even tone, and resilience as you transition into warmer months.


Oil Cleanser

Oil cleansing is one of the most effective and barrier-respecting ways to begin your skincare ritual. Applied to dry skin, it loosens buildup, stimulates lymphatic flow, and removes makeup, SPF, pollution, and inflammatory triggers without compromising skin integrity — preparing the skin for maximum benefit from active ingredients.

Nourish from within

Gut health, diet, and skincare are interconnected, influencing systemic inflammation and skin integrity. Seasonal produce rich in antioxidants, fibre, and phytonutrients supports natural repair. Incorporating probiotics and reducing processed foods, alcohol, and dairy can help minimise flare-ups.

Seasonal foods to include:

  • Antioxidant-rich: asparagus, strawberries, spinach, radishes, green peas, snow peas

  • Liver-supporting: beetroot, artichokes, bitter greens (chicory, rocket, dandelion greens)

  • Hydration-supporting: cucumber, celery, zucchini, citrus fruits

Eating in alignment with the season also supports digestion, detoxification, and skin clarity.

Internal Wellness Boosters:

  • Vitamin C: Taking vitamin C during spring helps break down histamine and stabilise mast cells, reducing inflammatory reactions and supporting skin balance.

  • Omega-3: Supports anti-inflammatory pathways and nourishes skin from within.

  • High-quality Manuka honey: A gut-friendly honey rich in bioactive compounds that nourish the microbiome, aid digestion, and support a radiant complexion.

Spring Clean

Clear out expired or heavy winter products. Lighter, breathable formulations help skin adjust to the new season. Check your skincare and makeup products for expiration dates. Old or expired products can harbor bacteria and lose effectiveness. 

Mindful Movement

Spring energetics are about growth and momentum. Gentle but consistent movement, good hydration, and restorative sleep help regulate stress, improve circulation, and support skin vitality.