How to transition into spring.

The days are getting longer and warmer which means that spring is here and summer is finally on her way.

A change in weather calls for a change in beauty routine. Your skin’s needs in cold weather are different to those in warmer weather Try these 4 switches to make your spring more beautiful.

Squeaky clean: Dry skins should switch to water or light cream cleansers. Rich cream cleansers are great for winter when your skin lacks moisture, but opting for a lighter formula in summer will means your pores are less likely to get clogged. Oily skinned girls should try water cleansers in warmer weather. The chemicals in foaming cleansers can strip the skin of its natural oils, which, in turn, will cause your skin to produce yet more oil. Using a gentler cleanser will help keep your skin’s oil barrier in balance. My favourite cleanser (for all skin types) is Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution (around R200 from selected Dis-Chem and Clicks stores).

Rub-a-dub: All skin types should be using enzyme exfoliators all year round. So if you haven’t made this switch yet, make this the season to give it a try. Granular scrubs can damage your skin’s natural protection barrier, which can lead to breakouts and excess sebum production. Enzyme exfoliators, on the other hand, gently dissolve dead skin cells without damaging the healthy skin underneath. Lamelle Correctives Cathepzyme, R385, is one of the best I’ve tried.

Hot head: Cold and warm weather can damage your locks. In spring and summer, it’s best to focus on protection from the sun, salt and chlorine. Switch your shampoo and conditioner formulas from moisturising to damage repairing ones. A leave-in conditioner or hair oil with SPF will help prevent damage and stop your colour from fading. If you are worried about the condition of your hair, make sure your always cover up with a hat.

Good foundations: As with everything else, switch to a lighter formula for your foundation. BB and CC creams are flooding the market at the moment, so take advantage of it. They are great because they deliver a light to medium coverage, contain skin-boosting ingredients and have built-in SPF (this is not to say you can forego higher SPF underneath!) If you are an old-school make-up girl, then just switch to a tinted moisturiser instead.