Skin Care Secrets to Spring into the New Season

(ARA) - Skin care needs change with the seasons. With winter drawing to a close and warm weather on the horizon, now is the time to think about updating your skin care regimen for spring.

The transition from winter to spring is probably one of the most remarkable in nature - and for people, too. Winter snows melt away to reveal spring buds, and bulky sweaters find their way back into closets in favor of lighter, freer attire. Your skin care regimen should also leave winter behind. Here are some tips for making the transition from winter to spring skin care:

* Exfoliate - No matter how diligent you are with winter skin care, some buildup of dry, flaky skin is almost inevitable thanks to heavier clothes and dry air. To leave skin smooth and healthy -- and to prepare for the warm weather ritual of hair removal -- use a good exfoliant in the shower. Don't, however, use strong, scrubbing exfoliants on the face, as they can actually damage skin and cause minute tears and abrasions on delicate tissues. * Adjust your moisturizer -- Winter's dry air called for a stronger moisturizer, but warm weather brings increased humidity, which in turn can make you sweat and increase your skin's production of natural oils. Switch to a lighter moisturizer, one that is not oil-based, and that includes a higher SPF protection for the happy hours you'll be spending outdoors in the sunshine. * Update your makeup for the season -- Just as your makeup changes palette from season to season, so should the physical qualities of your makeup. Use a lighter foundation, perhaps substituting a powder foundation for liquid. Replace your moisturizing lipstick or lip balm with a lighter gloss that won't leave lips feeling weighted down or oily. Put away those cream based eye shadows for lighter powders that won't clump or run in warmer temperatures and humidity.

* Glow smart, not risky -- Nothing says spring like a healthy glow, but traditional tanning achieved by sunbathing or going to a tanning salon can significantly increase your risk of skin cancer. Instead of getting a glow the risky way, opt for self-tanners. Today's sprays and creams can help you achieve an even, natural-looking tan without exposing your skin to harmful ultra-violet rays.

* Put the brakes on breakouts -- Warm weather means more fun in the sun, but it also means more sweating and more chance for acne breakouts. Ditch harsh chemical remedies or over-the-counter options that just don't work in favor of a more natural way to control breakouts -- heat. A simple hand-held device, ThermaClear, "zaps" pimples and blemishes quickly and easily, even in their earliest stages of development. A two-second application of heat can clear blemishes up to four times faster, sometimes in as little as 24 hours. Go to www.thermaclearbeauty.com to learn more.

* Eat for your skin's health -- You probably already know to avoid oily and fatty foods that can contribute to skin problems. But don't forget to eat positively for your skin's health as well. Take advantage of warm weather's produce bounty to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are good for your skin, like leafy greens and antioxidant rich fruits and berries.

* Survey your skin -- Just as you visit a general practitioner or gynecologist to take care of your internal health, you should have an annual skin exam by a dermatologist. If you haven't already had a complete skin survey, schedule one as the spring begins and repeat again at the same time next year. Your doctor will catalog all your natural beauty marks, moles and variations in skin tone and compare from year to year to ensure none change. Changes in natural blemishes can herald a more serious problem. Early detection has been cited as one of the most important ways to effectively treat skin cancer.