Just like your home, your inbox, and your wardrobe, your skin care routine needs seasonal updates. As the weather warms up and the days get longer, spring is the perfect time to put the care back in skin care. A quick refresh — tossing expired products, cleaning your tools, and making a few strategic swaps — can help your skin look and feel its best.
Think of it as hitting the reset button for your face: shedding the dullness of winter, dialing in hydration, and setting yourself up for a season of glow. It doesn’t have to be complicated – just intentional. With a few easy changes, you can step into spring feeling confident and ready to take on sunnier days.
Start With a Product Check
One of the easiest ways to kick off your spring refresh is to take a good look at the products you’re using. There’s a good chance some of them are just taking up space — maybe they were expensive but didn’t work for your skin, or maybe they’re past their expiration date. You might even be holding on to products that no longer fit your current needs.
Why Expiration Dates Matter
While it might seem harmless to use a product past its prime, proceed with caution. Expired skincare can lead to irritation, breakouts, or even infections. According to GFaceMD, this happens because active ingredients degrade and bacteria can start to grow. Yuck.
Decode the Symbols
Ever notice that little open jar icon on your skin care or makeup packaging? That’s called the PAO symbol (Period After Opening), and it tells you how long a product remains safe after you first open it. You’ll usually see something like 6M or 12M — meaning six or twelve months.
Some products also have an hourglass symbol, which means they have a firm expiration date, even if they’re unopened. If you see that, look for a printed date somewhere on the bottle or box.
Bonus tip: While you’re at it, look for other helpful icons.
- A leaping bunny means the brand is certified cruelty-free.
- Recycling symbols show how to dispose of packaging responsibly — yes, even that pump bottle.
Know When It’s Time to Toss
Even if there’s no visible product expiration date, look out for changes in smell, texture, or color. These are all signs that a product may have turned. If your skin starts reacting, or if a once-favorite product suddenly stops delivering results, it’s probably time to let it go.
Use the Keep/Toss/Donate Method
As you go through your stash, try sorting into three simple categories:
- Keep (your ride-or-dies, in date and still working)
- Toss (anything expired, irritating, or questionably goopy)
- Donate (unopened, unused products that someone else could benefit from)
Just make sure anything you donate is safe to share — unexpired and sealed.
This kind of attention to detail — from understanding packaging to recognizing product shelf life — is exactly what we teach at Tricoci University. Because knowing skincare inside and out is part of giving great service and keeping clients (and your own skin) happy.
Update Your Skin Care for Spring
Spring brings more humidity, more sun, and for many of us, more allergy-related sensitivity. That means your skin has new needs — and your routine should reflect them.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, swapping to a lightweight moisturizer and choosing oil-free or non-comedogenic products can help prevent warm-weather woes like clogged pores, breakouts, and excess shine. Think of it like dressing your skin for the season: lighter layers, better breathability.
Make your routine spring-ready:
- Swap heavy creams for lightweight moisturizers. Think gels or emulsions instead of thick butters.
- Introduce (or increase!) daily SPF. Sun exposure climbs quickly in spring, and consistent SPF is your best defense.
- Add a gentle exfoliator. Slough off the dull, dry buildup from winter with a mild AHA or enzyme exfoliant.
- Focus on hydration and barrier repair. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that support your skin’s resilience.
These kinds of small but strategic updates can help your skin stay balanced, protected, and glowing all season long.
At Tricoci, future estheticians learn how to assess seasonal changes, skin types, and product formulations to create customized routines that actually work. Great skin care isn’t one-size-fits-all and spring is the perfect time to get it right.
Clean Your Tools and Spaces (Your Skin Will Thank You)
Your brushes, sponges, and other tools can collect more than just product — they’re also magnets for oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. According to this guide from the Cleveland Clinic, unwashed makeup brushes don’t just apply product — they can also transfer built-up dirt, oil, and bacteria to your skin. And if you store them out in the open, like in a cup on your bathroom counter, they’re likely collecting everything from dust and perfume to hairspray and even airborne germs. Not exactly what you want buffed into your cheeks.
That’s why regular cleaning is a must, especially during seasonal skin shifts when your skin may be more sensitive than usual.
To clean your tools, use a mild soap — dish soap or even shampoo works — and gently lather with warm water. Rinse thoroughly and lay them flat on a towel to dry overnight. (Pro tip: letting them dry upright can cause water to seep into the base and loosen the glue.)
If your sponges are looking a little… sad, or your brush bristles are frayed and losing shape, it might be time to toss and replace. Worn-out tools don’t perform as well, and they’re more likely to cause irritation or breakouts.
Bonus hygiene tip: if you ever experience redness, eye drainage, or discomfort after using makeup near the eyes, stop using the product right away and check in with your doctor. Your tools should boost your glow – not break you out.
While you’re cleaning your tools, do a quick wipe down of storage areas and makeup bags. It’ll extend the life of your products and make your routine feel way less chaotic.
Refresh Your Routine with Smart Additions
If your winter skin has been looking a little dull or tired, spring is a great time to add in a few skin-boosting MVPs. Just a couple of strategic upgrades can help you greet the season with a fresher, brighter complexion.
Introduce a Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is a dermatologist-favorite ingredient that does it all. It may help slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne. According to Harvard Health, topical vitamin C fights harmful free radicals and can even reduce dark spots by slowing pigment production.
For best results, apply a few drops of vitamin C serum to your face and neck after cleansing, then follow with moisturizer and sunscreen.
Invest in a Broad-Spectrum SPF
Sunscreen is an everyday essential. Yes, even when it’s cloudy. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends:
- Applying sunscreen 15 minutes before heading outside
- Using at least 1 ounce (about a shot glass full) to cover all exposed skin
- Reapplying every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating
Sun protection is one of the most powerful tools you have to prevent signs of premature aging and protect your skin’s health long-term.
Try a Seasonal Treatment
Spring is also a great time to treat yourself to a facial or professional skincare service. A seasonal facial can help jumpstart cell turnover and bring back your natural glow after months of winter dryness.
If your skin type allows, consider a chemical exfoliation or gentle peel. These treatments help lift away dull, dead skin cells and unclog pores — leaving you with smoother, more radiant skin.
Salon clients especially love chemical exfoliation in the spring because it clears out congestion from heavier winter products, refreshes skin tone before summer, and helps their at-home products absorb more effectively. It’s a favorite for a reason: instant glow, long-term payoff.
Build Sustainable Skin Care Habits
Let’s be honest: the best skin care routine isn’t the fanciest. The best routine is the one you’ll actually stick to. And dermatologists agree: consistency beats complexity every time. You don’t need a 10-step regimen or a shelf full of serums to get great results. A simple, steady routine goes a long way toward keeping your skin healthy and happy.
At a minimum, cleanse gently, moisturize daily, and always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. These three steps form the foundation of any effective skin care regimen and, when done consistently, they can help prevent a whole range of skin issues, from dryness to early signs of aging.
Bonus tip: Create a skin care maintenance calendar. A little structure can make it easier to remember those tasks that are easy to forget (until your brushes are overdue for a wash or your exfoliator’s gone crusty in the corner).
Try this rhythm:
- Clean your brushes and tools weekly to prevent product buildup and bacteria.
- Exfoliate once or twice a week, depending on your skin’s needs.
- Swap out loofahs and sponges monthly to avoid mold or mildew.
- Do a seasonal product check-in — spring and fall are great times to reassess what your skin needs and refresh your routine.
Small habits add up and they help your products perform better, your skin stay clearer, and your overall routine feel less like a chore and more like a ritual.
Here’s to Fresh Skin and Fresh Starts
With just a little effort, you can clear out the clutter, update your routine, and show your skin (and yourself) the care you deserve. These small changes are as much about looking good as they’re about feeling good in your skin and making space for what truly serves you.
And if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to turn that love of skin care into a career, you’re in the right place. At Tricoci University, students learn the science, technique, and artistry behind real results — with hands-on experience and expert instruction guiding them every step of the way.
Ready to learn more? Discover how a career in esthetics could be the glow-up your future’s been waiting for.