Spring is upon us in full gear! This means more sunshine, happy breezes, and also opportunities to show off springtime attire in outdoor gatherings, cocktail (and “mocktail”) parties, luncheons, concerts, and more.

You can step into healthy skin and protect yourself from springtime assailants like seasonal allergies this year. Embrace easy lifestyle changes and let the CHARLíS Luxury Face and Skincare Collection support you every step of the way!

Why a Spring Routine?

Every season of the year presents unique challenges when it comes to your skin. No other time of year, however, is quite as confusing overall as spring. In most regions of the U.S., the bitter winter is slowly thawing and by mid-April, the earth has begun to warm. But during this time of year the weather can also be unpredictable, and so can your schedule. More time out and about and less time to rest, as well as the colorful climate, can put stress on your body, including on your skin.

Just looking at typical spring weather, you can see the challenges. Dips in atmospheric pressure, spring storms then sudden bursts of sunshine, windy days, and spring pollen can all create different effects on your skin. This is why it is important to plan in advance so that you can protect and nourish your skin amidst all the climatic chaos.

How Seasonal Allergies May Affect Skin

Springtime weather tends to be slightly more humid than winter weather in most parts of the country– and in some places, it is a lot more humid. This can be a challenge for people with oily or acne-prone skin.

On the other hand, if you are one of the estimated 24 to 60 million Americans who suffer from “seasonal allergic rhinitis" (also known as seasonal allergies or hay fever), then your challenge may be the opposite. All-over or patchy dryness, itchiness, rash, and even hives can be real challenges. (1)

Airborne allergens that irritate internal areas such as the throat, sinuses, and eyes can also affect the skin. This is why, if you are prone to eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions, you may experience additional outbreaks during this time of the year. A 2006 comprehensive review put together for the British Association of Dermatologists found that seasonal changes (i.e. “seasonality”) was one of the top reasons for outbreaks amongst eczema sufferers. (2)

Seasonal allergies can also affect those with sensitive skin. With good intentions, the immune system stimulates protectant substances like histamine in response to airborne allergens, but this can also cause too much inflammation in the skin (and in the whole body). In turn, histamine production and increased inflammation can make sensitive skin extra sensitive.

The first step in healing skin sensitivity and outbreaks caused by seasonal allergies is to go to the source by internally calming histamine responses, then taking precautions as you enjoy the springtime weather. Check out Step Number 2 in the next section below to learn more!

3 Steps to Healthy Skin in Springtime

You can put into place a solid springtime lifestyle and skincare routine that can both protect and nourish your skin during this wonderful yet fickle time of year:

Step 1: Do a Beauty Products Purge

Out with the old and in with the new!

You may be in the habit of giving your living space a spring cleaning each year. While you are at it, why not give your beauty products a good cleaning too? This can include cleaning the space where you spend most of your time during your skincare routine as well as tools like makeup brushes and cleansing sponges.

In addition, you can also make some decisions about the products you are using as well.

Especially if you have just recently committed to a healthier, chemical-free approach to skincare, spring is the perfect time to throw away those commercial products and make way for healthier options like those found in the CHARLíS Collection.

It is also the perfect time to discard any products that may be out of date. Makeup, cleansers, moisturizers, and even body products all have expiration dates. Especially if these products are organic and free from the most common (and harmful) preservatives, then you will want to keep them fresh. Be sure to replace any products that smell rancid as well as those that are very old.

Step 2: Protect Yourself and Heal Seasonal Allergies

If you are amongst the millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, then be sure to take measures to protect your health, including the health of your skin, this time of year. The first thing you can do is to avoid going into areas that are heavily pollinated and/or those areas where you may have a reaction. This could be freshly mowed grassy areas, forested areas with tall grasses or areas with a lot of flowering plants or trees. During windy times, it is especially important to stay away from areas where airborne allergens may abound.

Next, do all you can to boost your immunity in general as well as lower histamine levels that can get out of control with allergy flare-ups. Diet can help, including being aware of which foods you may be intolerant of and including foods that can gently balance histamine. For example, did you know that pea shoots have a substance in them called diamine oxidase, or DAO, which can help people with histamine intolerance? (3)

Speaking of the healing power of peas, did you know that we include pea extract as a key superstar substance in the CHARLÍS Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer? This moisturizer is a customer favorite, especially this time of year. It is as refreshing as it is hydrating, with a light citrus scent that makes it a go-to for both men and women. At the same time, it is powerful and effective. The “power of the pea” can be felt in its anti-inflammatory, amino acid-rich properties. The CHARLÍS Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer also contains organic perilla ocymoides seed oil (a member of the mint family) as well as grapefruit seed extract. Both of these plant-based substances are super high in antioxidants to gently protect as well as fortify the skin.

Step 3: Go Light in the Sunshine (and Still Protect Your Skin)

In the winter, we tend to layer on skincare products like we layer on clothing. For the skin, this sometimes translates into heavy moisturizers and heavier layers of makeup as well.

Spring is the time to let the “light shine in” in more ways than one. As we don t-shirts, springtime dresses, and the like, we can also lighten up our skincare products while still experiencing protection from over-exposure to the rays of the sun.

When it comes to a product that can do all of this and more, CHARLíS has you covered. Our SP25 Neutral Tinted Face Moisturizer provides you with natural sun blocking (in the form of non-noticeable zinc oxide) as well as gentle yet effective moisturizing.

Allantoin is a hydrating substance that comes from healing plants like chamomile. Mugwort and panthenol (a B vitamin substance) can help hydrate as well as protect against harmful pathogens. The CHARLíS Tinted Face Moisturizer also contains acetyl tetrapeptide-2, an amino acid peptide substance that is specifically formulated to naturally repair damaged skin. Studies have found that acetyl tetrapeptide-2 has the ability to rapidly repair the skin through increased cellular growth while at the same time encouraging collagen, elastin, and keratin production. (4)

Get Out and Shine This Summer!

Spring is the time for you to shine after the cold days of winter, so make sure you do it right! As you clean out those closets and let in the fresh air of spring, start the season right with healthy skin and CHARLíS!

References:

1. Allergy Statistics in the US
2. What causes worsening of eczema? A systematic review
3. Lyophilised legume sprouts as a functional ingredient for diamine oxidase enzyme supplementation in histamine intolerance
4. The Effect of Anti-aging Peptides on Mechanical and Biological Properties of HaCaT Keratinocytes