‘I’m an Esthetician, and This Is the One Skin Treatment I Recommend to All of My Clients in the Spring’

Spring is a time of rebirth, and when you’re shifting your skin-care routine for the season, it may be tempting to take this sentiment literally and schedule an intensive treatment, like a chemical peel, to reset your complexion. But Emily Trampetti, an esthetician in Chicago, says now is not the time. Instead, you should focus on hydrating and strengthening your skin—yes, even if you have oily skin.

“Many people think that they need to go in for deep exfoliation or detox treatments to renew the skin for spring, but this could set them back in their goals,” says Trampetti, who is the owner of Skin Property Virtual Esthetics. “Healing from winter is the number-one priority for my clients, and it’s what sets their skin up for success all summer long. If you have an experienced and knowledgeable esthetician, they’ll infuse the skin with lots of hydrating, healing, and nourishing ingredients to get you ready for summer.”

That’s because your skin might still be recovering from less-than-ideal winter conditions.

“Our skin, typically, is most stressed in winter months, with extra dryness, harsh climates for some, excess holiday skin trauma, cold and flu season, etc. My biggest recommendation for springtime skin treatments is based on the goals of hydration and nourishment,” she says.

This can be anything from a regular hydrating facial, to a gentle LED treatment, to an at-home sheet mask—save microneedling, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels for fall when your skin needs them to reset after summer. Let your esthetician guide you to a solution that’s best for your concerns.

“For spring, your skin’s needs are much more likely to be those of healing and hydrating,” says Trampetti. “It’s a time that we work on rebalancing and building up our barrier function. It’s also a time that we revisit our consistent habits in our routine, like regular sunscreen application. It’s a bit more boring than shiny and trendy esthetic treatments, but it works! We must remember that there is a time and place for more aggressive, exfoliating treatments, but never when your skin is most vulnerable like when coming out of winter.

The best thing about hydrating and nourishing treatments is that you can do them at home. The experience, of course, won’t be as luxe or comprehensive as what a professional can do. But it can still be extremely beneficial. Follow Trampetti’s instructions below.

How to do an at-home springtime skin treatment

1.  Cleanse your skin

Everyone’s complexion is different, so Trampetti recommends using a cleanser that works well for your unique skin. Dermatologists love to recommend the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($15 to $18) as a great option for all skin types.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser — $15.00 to $18.00

“This cleanser uses an amino acid-based surfactant and gently transforms the cream into a delicate foam to help eliminate oil, dirt, and buildup,” Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine, previously told Well+Good.

2. Get a hydrated base

Moisturizing ingredients work best on damp, well-hydrated skin. Trampetti recommends prepping your skin with a hydrating hyaluronic acid or glycerin-based serum before you put on your mask, which will help to seal in the moisture from the treatment.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum — $26.00

This drugstore hyaluronic acid serum (which also contains glycerin) has long been considered one of the best of the best on the market. It has multiple weights of HA molecules that penetrate your skin at different levels to give you deep, long-lasting hydration.

3. Apply your mask

Trampetti says to apply a “cream, gel, or sheet mask that has lots of hydrators, antioxidants, and soothing anti-inflammatory ingredients.” Leave it on as directed on the package and relax.

Plenaire Skin Frosting Hydrating Mask — $54.00

Developed for dry and sensitive skin, this mask from Plenaire uses raw coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, and Japanese tsubaki to nourish skin while leaving it relaxed and hydrated.

Thank You Farmer Back To Relax Soothing Gel Mask — $38.00

This cooling, moisturizing gel mask uses vitamin-C-rich pomegranate extract to help prevent cell damage while healing and repairing sun-damaged, aging skin. It also includes cica, fig, licorice, aloe vera leaf juice extract, and other botanical extracts, to soothe and moisturize skin.

Repêchage Lamina Lift Mask 5 Pack — $47.00

This sheet mask fromRepêchage is instantly refreshing and hydrating with soothing ingredients like seaweed, orange water, and aloe. It will leave you feeling dewy and glowy.

4. Remove the mask and apply moisturizer

“Remove the mask and finish with your skin-specific moisturizer,” says Trampetti. “Don’t forget to add your favorite broad-spectrum SPF 30 if the sun’s still out.”

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30 — $20.00

 Elyse Love, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, says she loves this moisturizer for all skin types. “La Roche-Posay Double Repair is like one of my holy grail, tried-and-true skin-care products that I find that almost all of my patients are happy with,” she says. “It’s one of those skin-care products that work great for oily skin and work great for dry skin.”

Neogen V. Biome Firming Cream — $38.00

For nighttime, you may want something heavier. This cream from Neogen helps support antioxidant and collagen production and includes ten types of peptides that tighten skin and 19 vitamins that deliver nourishing care.

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