Spring Awakening: Essential Skin Care Tips for the Season

We’re glad winter is gone and spring is blossoming! When spring appears, our team of skin experts always recommends that individuals start rejuvenating their skincare routines. Spring brings a sense of renewal and freshness that should also reflect in your beauty regimen. Whether battling post-winter dryness or preparing your skin for increased sun exposure, from hydrating serums to protective sunscreens, this guide by MD Skin Lab will walk you through the essential skin care products and practices to help your skin transition seamlessly into the warmer, brighter days ahead. 

All of our products are from the Skin Store by MD Skin Lab. You can order online and get your skincare products by delivery or by picking them up at our downtown Toronto clinic. Let’s get into it!

Vitamin C for Vibrant Skin

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that should be a major component of your skin care. It helps fight the signs of aging, brightens your complexion, and protects against damage from sun and pollution. Incorporating a Vitamin C serum into your morning routine can dramatically enhance the radiance and resilience of your skin. Here are some of our recommended Vitamin C products from the Skin Store.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: This award-winning Vitamin C serum is expertly formulated to diminish free radical damage while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and enhancing firmness, and skin tone. Clinical trials reveal that it reduces environmental oxidative harm—including damage from UV rays, ozone, and diesel exhaust—by 41%. C E Ferulic features a potent combination of 15% pure Vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid, providing robust protection against environmental aggressors. This powerful blend shields against UVA/UVB rays and ozone pollution and also decreases environmental oxidative damage by up to 41%, all while improving skin's overall brightness and complexion. It’s award-winning and a cult favourite for a reason! 

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF: Do you suffer from oily and blemish-prone skin? If you said yes, this one’s for you! The Silymarin CF is a Vitamin C serum that offers environmental protection while targeting the root cause of oiliness and breakouts. It combines 0.5% silymarin (milk thistle extract) with 15% l-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid to revolutionize your skincare routine. Clinically proven to reduce oil oxidation by up to 76%, Silymarin CF diminishes oiliness and also refines skin texture, enhances clarity, and smooths fine lines, making it an excellent choice. 

SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF: Meet Phloretin CF, a daytime Vitamin C serum that offers advanced environmental protection and also visibly reduces the signs of aging. This patented formula is infused with a unique blend of 2% phloretin, 10% pure Vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid), and 0.5% ferulic acid. Designed to combat atmospheric skin aging, Phloretin CF shields your skin from the damaging effects of infrared radiation (IRA), UVA/UVB rays, and ozone pollution. Beyond its superior antioxidant protection, this serum is known to improve skin discoloration, diminish fine lines, and even out skin tone, showcasing a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Sunscreen for Everyday Protection

As the days grow longer and the sun stronger, a high-quality sunscreen with SPF is highly recommended by our skincare experts. It shields your skin from harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn and long-term damage, but it also acts as a barrier against environmental pollutants. Opt for a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher to keep your skin safe and sound throughout spring and beyond. Here are some of our recommended sunscreens from the MD Skin Lab Skin Store.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 are oil-free formulas designed to soothe and safeguard sensitive skin types, particularly those susceptible to discoloration and breakouts from acne and rosacea. Enriched with niacinamide (vitamin B3), hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid, this lightweight, silky serum promotes a healthier, more vibrant skin appearance. Ideal for daily use, it can be worn alone or under makeup and is available in both tinted and non-tinted versions to suit your preference. 

EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 and EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 combines intense UV protection with exceptional hydration in this sheer facial sunscreen. Enhanced with hyaluronic acid, it improves moisture retention and reduces the appearance of fine lines. This lightweight moisturizer offers UV protection and can be worn alone or beneath makeup. 

EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41: This offers a lightly tinted, oil-free solution for sun protection with a hint of colour. This chemical-free mineral sunscreen is packed with antioxidants to combat free radicals. It's also water-resistant, protecting against water, humidity, and perspiration, making it a healthy choice for active lifestyles.

Patients often ask us: what is the difference between tinted and untinted sunscreen? Tinted sunscreen contains a small amount of colour to help even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes or redness, while untinted sunscreen does not have any colour and solely provides sun protection without altering the appearance of the skin's natural complexion. 

Find Your Perfect Spring Moisturizer

With winter ending and spring arriving, we recommend investing in a high-quality moisturizer with nourishment properties while allowing your skin to breathe. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract moisture to the skin, ensuring it stays plump and dewy from dawn till dusk. We have an array of recommended moisturizers from our Skin Store.

SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3: Looking to combat the early signs of aging? If you said yes, you’ll love this moisturizer. This formula features a patent-pending aqueous emulsion that delivers a high concentration of 5% niacinamide (vitamin B3) alongside a firming tripeptide concentrate and 15% pure glycerin. It targets the early signs of photoaging, which vary in intensity based on factors like skin biology, lifestyle, geographic location, sun protection habits, and skin care routines. These factors can collectively accelerate the aging process. Metacell Renewal B3 actively improves these signs by increasing cell turnover to refine the skin’s surface, clarify and even out skin tone, and enhance the appearance of wrinkles and skin elasticity.

SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture: If you’re dealing with oily skin, then this formula is for you! This moisturizer offers a lightweight solution, providing hydration while helping to minimize the appearance of pores. This top-rated moisturizer for oily skin types is crafted with a blend of vitamin E, three nutrient-rich algae extracts, and seven botanical extracts. This exclusive combination nourishes and hydrates without leaving a greasy residue, making it the perfect solution for normal to oily skin. It effectively reduces the visibility of large pores and leaves the skin feeling soft and protected! 

SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment: This is a lightweight moisturizer enriched with azelaic acid, designed to soothe and refine skin that's out of balance, enhancing brightness, texture, and clarity. This oil-free formula is perfect for all skin types, particularly oily and acne-prone skin. It contains 3% azelaic acid, 2% alpha arbutin, and a 5.75% phyto botanical blend, specifically targeting surface flaws and dullness. As a non-comedogenic moisturizer and brightening treatment, it effectively alleviates redness caused by dryness and controls excess oil. The moisturizer smooths the skin and reduces the visibility of pores, leading to improved skin clarity and a more radiant complexion. 

Beauty Sleep Boosters

Nighttime is when your skin does its heavy lifting, repairing itself from the day’s stresses. We recommend a potent night serum to boost this natural process. Ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and ceramides work overnight to rejuvenate your skin, targeting fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture so you can wake up to a smoother, more youthful complexion.

SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator: This oil-free face serum is expertly designed to exfoliate and hydrate your skin, leaving it radiant and smooth. The Retexturing Activator utilizes a revolutionary formula that replenishes the skin and enhances its texture, strengthening the skin’s barrier for a healthier, more luminous appearance. Leveraging patented technology, this unique serum effectively promotes optimal exfoliation and boosts the skin's amino acid levels to fortify its external barrier. Its oil-free composition delivers the equivalent resurfacing benefit of a daily 20% glycolic acid treatment.

Ready to Find the Perfect Spring Skin Care Regimen?

Our curated selection of medical-grade skincare products offers a solution for all skin types. Purchase your favourites from the MD Skin Lab Skin Store. Order online and get your skincare products by delivery or by picking them up at our downtown Toronto clinic. We can’t wait to help you achieve your perfect skin!