Sally Foran: How to tweak your skincare routine for spring

Beauty Editor Sally Foran is here to help you figure out what your skin needs as we leave the winter months behind

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026 - 10:50

Sally Foran

Winter is notoriously harsh on skin — cold temperatures, wind exposure, and indoor heating systems can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leaving it dehydrated and vulnerable.

Spring, however, brings warmer temperatures and higher humidity levels. Our skin naturally begins to produce more oil, and sweat production increases. Pores may appear more noticeable, and congestion can become more common. The days are also longer, with stronger UV exposure, and after months of limited sun exposure, skin may be more susceptible to UV damage. Here’s my advice for tweaking your skincare routine for the season ahead.

Introduce a retinol

It’s the perfect time to introduce retinol if you haven’t already, as skin is better able to tolerate actives when the sun is less intense than in the summer months. Starting a retinol in spring allows your skin to acclimatise to it. Winter can lead to dryness, flakiness, and redness, so skin has enough to deal with, without any extra potential irritation from retinol. Retinol’s exfoliating properties can help reverse this damage in spring, leaving your skin looking refreshed and revitalised. By incorporating retinol into your spring skincare routine, you’re also prepping your skin for the sun-exposed days of summer.

Try it: Skingredients skin protein, €55, Meaghers Pharmacy

Skingredients skin protein, €55, Meaghers Pharmacy

Add an exfoliator

Winter can leave skin looking dull, dry, and flaky, and when you add sweat and pollution into the mix, congestion can quickly follow. Introducing an exfoliator into your routine can help restore a healthy, glowing complexion. Exfoliation offers multiple benefits: it smooths rough skin, improves texture, softens the appearance of fine lines, treats and prevents ingrown hairs, evens out tone, brightens dullness, fades dark spots and pigmentation, reduces blemishes, and boosts the
absorption of your other skincare products.

Try it: Holos Skincare AHA deep cleansing cream/masque, €42, holos.ie

Holos Skincare AHA deep cleansing cream/masque, €42, holos.ie

Use an antioxidant serum

After months of cold, dry weather, skin can start to look dull, uneven, and tired. Adding a vitamin C serum to your routine can help brighten the complexion and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone. As we spend more time outdoors in spring, environmental stressors can also contribute to dryness, dullness, and a loss of elasticity. Increased sun exposure may lead to sunspots and hyperpigmentation but antioxidant serums such as vitamin C can help protect the skin and reduce these effects. If your skin can’t tolerate vitamin C, there are plenty of other antioxidants to choose from, including Q10, niacinamide, resveratrol, and green tea.

Try it: Image Vital C hydrating anti-ageing serum, €90, South William Clinic

Image Vital C hydrating anti-ageing serum, €90, South William Clinic

Don’t neglect the neck

Our necks have been protected under scarves and polo necks until now but they’re more exposed in spring. It’s so important to look after our necks as the skin there is thinner, more sensitive, and has fewer oil glands, so it can become crepey, lose firmness, and start sagging. Double moisturising is one way to correct this and, as the skin on the neck is more prone to sun damage due to its paper-thin texture, always ensure that you use an SPF there too. Make sure to bring your moisturisers, serums, and even retinols down your neck. If you’re starting fresh on your neck, a neck-specific product to retexturise, replump, and firm may be just the ticket.

Try it: NeoStrata, €76, Allcare Pharmacy

Don’t forget sunscreen

Another reminder. UV levels begin to increase from early March, meaning the spring sun can be more intense than we realise and our skin isn’t used to it. After winter, skin is less accustomed to UV exposure, so it can be more sensitive when suddenly exposed during outdoor activities. Even though the weather can be changeable and the temperatures chilly, and you mightn’t immediately notice the effects on your skin, the UV Index can already reach levels of three or four during spring. Don’t assume you’re safe just because you’re spending most of your time indoors — while glass blocks most UVB rays (which cause burning), UVA rays (which contribute to premature skin ageing) can penetrate it. Even if you’re heading on a skiing holiday, a high-protection SPF and proper eye protection are essential as snow reflects sunlight and UV rays become more intense at higher altitudes.

Try it: Sculpted by Aimee Beauty Base Protect, €30, Boots

Sculpted by Aimee Beauty Base Protect €30 Boots

Switch to a lighter moisturiser

One of the most important skincare changes in spring is switching your moisturiser. Heavy creams that work well during colder months can feel overly rich once temperatures rise. Of course, if your skin is dry year-round and thrives on a thick cream, you can absolutely continue using your winter moisturiser. But if you’ve oily or combination skin, a lightweight lotion or gel cream is better. Lighter formulas provide the hydration your skin needs without feeling heavy or clogging pores. Choosing non-comedogenic formulations can also help prevent congestion and breakouts.