It’s officially September. And you know what that means, southern hemisphere spring is beckoning its call. Spring is the season that signals what kind of summer it will be. Hot Girl Summer? Shot Girl Summer? Not Girl Summer? Rot Girl Summer? We hold a very strong belief that summer in some way canonically belongs to the girls. This means we hold the huge undertaking of deciding what kind of summer it will be. A huge responsibility indeed, but one that is entirely rightly appointed.
And if you are reading this as someone who is not a girl but enjoys summer, well, you can thank the girls for that.
So with this huge responsibility in the forefront of our minds as we march our way into what can only be described as a rather… crisp… spring season. We need to decide what kind of summer preparations we are going to start making now that will dictate our fate for the 2025/26 summer period. And if there's one type of summer we won’t be having, it’s a dull girl summer.
With this in mind, let's break down exactly the kind of skincare switches you need to be making in Spring to make sure you have an off the Richter scale type hot girl summer come December. And trust us, that is not that far away so preparations must commence immediately.
How your skin changes in the Spring
Time for the obligatory science-y part. Basically, a cold dry winter plus a lot of indoor heatings usually results in the skin’s barrier becoming damaged, dehydrated and dull. That’s why so many of us come out of winter feeling flaky, tight, red or just an overall lack of vibrance that we had become accustomed to in summer.
When the weather shifts again to spring, the humidity will start to rise, the sun will begin to stay around a little bit longer and your skin’s oil production will naturally kick back into gear. This can mean congestion, breakouts and a bit of uneven skin tone can be thrown in there for good measure. Unless, of course, you have the right product lineup to help your skin transition flawlessly.
To put it simply, your skin is just as ready to shed its winter coat as you are! So here is a step by step guide to help it do exactly that.
Step one: reset your cleanse
If you have been clinging to the welcome comforts of rich, creamy cleansers all winter then there is absolutely no judgement from us, but now is the time to switch that up. Instead, you want to be reaching for something that refreshes the skin without stripping it. In spring, you need a formula that cleans away SPF, pollution and those remnants of winter dryness but also keeps your barrier happy and hydrated.
Something like the Murad Heartleaf Soothing Cleanser will do you well for this next stage in your yearly cell turnover. It’s kind of like the equivalent of spa water, but for your face, if that makes sense. With fermented heartleaf extract (a K-beauty favourite for calming), micro-algae, and ceramides, it gently cleanses while soothing irritation. Non-foaming, non-stripping, just fresh, bouncy skin that feels ready for the day.
It’s also perfect if your complexion tends to get reactive with seasonal changes. A soft reset that won’t send your barrier into panic mode.
Step two: exfoliate, but gently
If you are thinking that in order to shed your winter skin you will need to be exfoliating, you would be right, sort of. Exfoliation is absolutely the spring glow ticket and is crucial for helping all those dull, dead skin cells exit stage left. But you still don’t want to be reaching for anything too harsh because remember, your skin barrier is still in repair mode. The key is to start micro-dosing exfoliation back into your weekly ritual.
Step three: hydrate without the heavy coat
This is where things get a little trickier. Because while you are trying to promote cell turnover and repair your skin barrier, it will still be crying out for hydration after months of cold air. But think less thick occlusive winter creams and more lighter textures that will still keep your hydration levels high.
The Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel is the oil free gel moisturiser that has garnered a cult following for a reason. It’s lightweight, bouncy, and packed with peptides, vitamins and minerals that flood your skin with hydration while strengthening the barrier. Basically, your skin drinks it up and says thank you.
If you prefer a do-it-all option, spring is also the perfect season to lean into the new Superactive Moisturiser SPF 50. It hydrates with next-gen hyaluronic acid technology, protects against UV rays, and keeps skin plump and smooth all day, without the heaviness of a winter cream. But, it’s always best to use a moisturiser AND an SPF in the morning, because as much as we like a two in one, two is usually better than one, end of… metaphor?
Step four: get serious about your SPF
With risk of sounding like a broken record, SPF is a non-negotiable, and yes, that includes the spring. In fact, UV rays will be stronger than they feel at this time of the year and if you’ve become a liiiiittle bit relaxed on your sunscreen game throughout winter, it’s time to recommit. And the easiest way to do this? Build it into your daily routine with a formula that you love and feel genuinely excited to put on in the morning.
The new range of Superactive Moisturiser SPF50 sunscreens will have you jumping out of bed at the speed of light with anticipation of putting these on your face, they are seriously that luxurious. And the best thing about them is that they are not a one trick pony, they are, to be exact, a four trick pony. Whatever you are feeling you just need that little bit more of in your routine, you can add an extra dose of with a healthy serving of SPF for good measure. Skin feeling a bit dull following winter? Try this Brightening formula. There’s also an option for Wrinkle Fighting and even Mattifying Oil and Pore Control. There’s a lot to love here.
Step five: beware of springtime sensitivities
With flowers in full bloom and pollen swirling around in the air, spring can be quite a tough old time for people who suffer from sensitive or reactive skin. Redness, flare-ups, and irritation are common complaints at this time of year. That’s where soothing, barrier-supporting ingredients come in to save the day. Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a true multitasker known for calming inflammation, reducing redness, balancing oil production and strengthening your skin barrier. We know, it sounds too good to be true, but it actually isn’t.
If you are looking to incorporate niacinamide into your routine, the Revitalixir Recovery Serum is powered by the wonder ingredient along with soothing botanicals and caffeine, is an elite choice for incorporating this barrier-loving ingredient into your daily routine. It’s straightforward, no-nonsense, applies like a dream, and absorbs quickly… no sticky residue to be found here
Murad has also recently amped up the barrier-loving innovations with their Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Serum and Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream. Both are packed with nourishing and hydrating ingredients perfect for sensitive skin types navigating this allergy-inducing time of year. They’re kind of like a soft blanket for your skin, helping it remain calm even when it’s reacting to the seasonal chaos
Step six: don’t neglect your eyes and lips
It’s important to remember that your face isn’t the only part of your skin that deserves attention. Lots of us don't want to be wearing heavy makeup when the weather starts to warm up, which means those fresh natural features are on display. A good eye cream can help smooth and brighten the delicate under eye area, reducing puffiness and dark circles and having you no-makeup-makeup-look ready in no time. One cant quibble with the excellence on show when it comes to the Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector.
For lips, swap your heavy balms for lighter, nourishing options that still offer protection against environmental stressors (preferably with SPF!) The goal is hydrated, luminous features that compliment your spring glow and give you that effortless healthy look.
Ready for your glowiest season yet?
Like any new season, spring is all about transitions. Swapping out your wooly coats for lighter evening jackets, evenings in for longer strolls outdoor, and heavy winter creams for lightweight hydrators. The changes don’t have to be drastic to be effective.
So do your skin a favour… clear out the bathroom cabinet cobwebs, refresh your lineup, and let some science-backed formulas help you glow into the new season. Because if there’s one thing better than spring sunshine, it’s skin that looks just as bright.