Springtime in the UK is like a re-awakening after the long, dark night that is the British winter. Tiny, adorable baby animals frolic in the fields, the sun emerges from behind the leaden clouds and shines down benevolently over green pastures, winter coats are shed and banished to the back of the cupboard…for a moment. Then it’s back to grey clouds and freezing rain, possibly even snow, depending on where you live. 

Caring for your skin when the weather bounces between cold, slightly less cold, and mildly warm can be tough! This is what I do as a daily and nightly routine while the weather is changing seasons to another and can’t decide how it wants to be.

Things to Know

The UK has a fairly unique climate due to its island identification and its location on the planet. Anyone who has spent any time in the UK will know how notorious it is for its high humidity levels, high rainfall, and very drastic temperature fluctuations (which have increased over the last few years) from season to season. The combination of the weather (heat that our houses aren’t built to withstand, freezing and dry winter air, humidity between seasons) and the lengths we have to go to manage it (indoor heating which creates dry air, heavy moisturisers during the winter) makes skincare a toughie at times. From compromised skin barriers and breakouts to cracked and peeling skin or sunburn, it’s good to have something available to suit whatever the weather may send your way or to have an arsenal of fairly neutral products that can cope no matter the weather. You may find your skin dry and dehydrated, tight, oily, acne-prone, dull, or blotchy, depending on the weather, and that’s a lot to deal with!

The Routine

1. Cleansing

Best overall: fresh Soy Face Cleanser

fresh does a good face wash, it includes soy and is pH-balancing, so it’s an excellent choice to keep your skin from getting crazy, even if the weather is. Whether it’s a hotter-than-ever British summer or a snowy, freezing winter, hydration is key, and that’s what this face wash brings in spades. It’s such a hard-working product that you don’t even need to switch it up seasonally. Amino acid-rich soy proteins help skin hold onto its moisture and elasticity to transform your complexion into a smooth and supple one. The formula includes aloe vera and crisp cucumber extract to calm any cold or breakout-related redness. All the above is great, but does it actually wash away dirt and impurities? The answer is yes! The cleanser is gentle enough not to disrupt even the most sensitive or inflamed skin and effective enough to remove all the dirt, makeup, and SPF left over at the end of a long day.

2. Toning

Best for Winter: Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner and Moisturiser

Three or four drops on clean hands, pressed into a cleansed face and neck, is all you need to double down on locking in hydration without creating an oily, over-saturated canvas. This toner takes a while to absorb, but when it does, it leaves a smooth complexion and no stickiness in its wake. Laneige’s cerapeptide complex (green tea extract, camellia japonica flower extract, and fatty acids) helps reduce inflammation and cold redness and hydrates at the same time.

Best for Summer: Pixi Glow Tonic

Since summer means sweat, skin can get easily congested. And if physical exfoliating is a no-no, an exfoliating toner is a necessary step to keep your skin free from breakouts and glowing gorgeously. Purify and brighten at the same time, boost cell turnover to help diminish fine lines, and prepare your skin or your moisturiser.

3. Moisturising

Best for Winter: Charlotte’s Magic Cream

Rich, creamy moisturisers are the best choice for winter, which is why I love this Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream so much. It’s a supercharged, luxurious moisturiser that not only keeps you hydrated and your skin free from tightness and peeling, but it’s got lots of good stuff in the formula (Cushion + Lift Mesh Technology), and it’s also a great choice for wearing under makeup.

Best for Summer: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Aquagel SPF30

A lighter moisturiser is best for the summer months, even if they aren’t scorching hot, as warmer temperatures do typically encourage more clogged pores than colder ones. Transition into this stunning gel moisturiser as the weather starts to warm, and you’ll be replenishing your skin with hydration, protecting it with an SPF, and repairing existing damage. The hyaluronic acid in the formula holds onto moisture, and an antioxidant complex prevents damage and helps repair any existing damage, and the product actually helps to minimise the signs of ageing.

4. Protecting

Best overall: Murad Multi-Vitamin Clear Coat Cream SPF 50

Yes, I know there’s SPF in one of the moisturisers I mentioned before. No, that does not mean you get out of using SPF even over that moisturiser every day in all weather conditions. This one from Murad is a holy grail for several reasons: the broad spectrum protection blocks the sun’s UV while vitamins C through F, along with bio-fermented clary sage, help to defend against environmental stressors, and omega-rich chia seeds act as a skin superfood. The formula goes on and sinks in totally clear, leaving no sheen or white cast behind.

Choose Your Fighters

Having a combination of specialised skincare products and some excellent all-rounders is the best way to ensure you’re ready for anything the British weather has to throw at you…it certainly works for me!