Transitioning My Skin Care Routine from Winter to Spring/Summer

As the weather warms up, I’ve been transitioning out of my winter skin care routine and simplifying it. The main change is swapping out heavier creams for a lighter lotion and going from applying face oil daily to once a week. I hope staying indoors has given you a chance to let your skin breathe, as going makeup-free is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Some of y’all might be going sunscreen-free too, but I would err on the side of caution and still wear some SPF, especially if you’re working by a sunny window. Windows block out most but not all UVB rays.

A few more things at the risk of sounding like a nagging Korean mother: stay hydrated throughout the day and get plenty of rest. In these uncertain and anxiety-ridden times, be kind to yourself and listen to your body. Everyone is different, and while maintaining my routine has been key in keeping me from feeling unmoored, everyone is wired differently. If you need a break from your routine, aren’t as productive as usual, needing to nap more often than usual—whatever it may be— that is okay because these are not usual times!

Without further ado, here is my spring/summer skin care routine. For those who are new here, my skin is dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone.

STEP ONE — CLEANSER

I cleanse with micellar water and a cotton pad. Just wipe your face down, and you’re done. No rinsing required!

STEP TWO — TONER & MASK

I apply toner morning and night and switch off between the witch hazel and the SK II. Once a month or so, I’ll apply a face mask after this step, rinse it off after about 15-20 minutes, then proceed with the rest of my routine.

STEP THREE — FACE OIL OR VITAMIN C

I apply face oil once a week now, while my skin is still moist from the toner, so it’s easier to apply onto my skin. The rest of the week, I apply Vitamin C at this step.

STEP FOUR — EXTRA TLC

I have the following antioxidants and treatments on rotation, and apply one of the following onto my skin each night. I'm sure it’s fine to combine some of the products, but since I have sensitive skin, I prefer to be safe than sorry.

STEP FIVE — LOTION

I love the EltaMD AM lotion and the Cerave PM lotion, but they can get pricey for everyday wear, so several days a week, I swap them out for the Cerave regular moisturizing lotion.

STEP SIX — SUNSCREEN

I’ve linked (lightly) tinted and clear versions below.

All opinions are my own, and this post is not sponsored by any brands. It does contain affiliate links, which may give me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support as it helps me keep this blog going! I fully support each of the brands mentioned.

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