When spring begins and the days grow lighter, it often feels like a fresh start. We spend more time outdoors, the sun becomes stronger and our energy gradually shifts with the season. Yet for many people, this is also the time when their skin starts to feel drier, more sensitive or more reactive than expected.
That is no coincidence. Beneath the surface, your skin is going through a seasonal transition of its own.
Why does skin become more sensitive in spring?
In spring, the skin can become more sensitive because the skin barrier is often still more vulnerable after winter, the UV index tends to rise faster than many people realise, and antioxidants are depleted more quickly as sun exposure increases. Fluctuating temperatures and hormonal changes can make this transition even more noticeable.
Your skin has to adapt all over again, and that asks something of it.
What winter does to your skin barrier
The outermost layer of your skin is known as the skin barrier. This layer is made up of skin cells that are arranged like building blocks, with skin lipids in between that hold everything together. Together, they help keep moisture in the skin while protecting it from external aggressors.
During winter, this barrier is under greater strain. Cold air contains very little moisture, while heated indoor air significantly lowers humidity levels inside the home. As a result, transepidermal water loss increases, meaning that moisture evaporates from the skin more quickly.
Scientific studies show that during colder seasons, not only does moisture loss increase, but the composition of the skin lipids also changes. This can leave the skin feeling drier, less supple and more reactive to external influences. So when spring arrives, your skin is not starting from a fully restored baseline, but from a place where it has been compensating for months.
This is exactly the time when it can be especially helpful to support the skin barrier with nourishing oils that help replenish the skin’s natural lipids, as you see for example in our barrier supporting care with Squalan Rich.
The spring sun and what the UV index really means
Many people assume that the sun is only intense when it feels warm, but the strength of ultraviolet radiation is not directly linked to temperature. The UV index is a measure of how strong ultraviolet radiation is at a given moment. In spring, that index can already be surprisingly high, even on cooler days.
Ultraviolet radiation consists of different types. UVB is responsible for sunburn and causes a visible reaction in the skin. UVA works more subtly and penetrates deeper into the skin structure. This type of radiation causes oxidative damage without necessarily causing immediate redness. UVA is present all year round and can even pass through glass, which means your skin is also affected in the car or behind a window.
After winter, the skin is less accustomed to sunlight. The outer layer of the skin is often slightly thinner, and the skin’s natural pigment protection is usually lower than it is after summer. The skin needs time to adapt to light again. This process involves, among other things, a slight thickening of the outer skin layer and an increase in melanin production, both of which take time.
This does not mean you need to use very heavy protection straight away, but it does mean that a gradual build up is wise. The first hours of sunlight before ten in the morning are often gentler and give the skin space to adapt without becoming overwhelmed.
Oxidative stress and why antioxidants matter
As UV exposure increases, free radicals are formed in the skin. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage collagen, elastin and cell membranes. Oxidative stress occurs when there are more free radicals present than the skin can neutralise with its own antioxidants.
Antioxidants are substances that help neutralise these free radicals. Your body produces some of them naturally, and you also obtain them through food, but it is possible to support the skin topically as well.
Plant oils naturally contain antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and tocopherols. These help the skin cope with environmental stress. In our antioxidant rich support with Squalan Gold, for example, you will find moringa seed oil and baobab oil, both naturally rich in protective components, together with seaweed extracts that help support the skin when exposed to external stressors.
Antioxidants are not a replacement for a sensible and gradual approach to sun exposure, but they can help support a more resilient skin when UV levels begin to rise.
What microcirculation means for your skin
Microcirculation refers to the blood flow through the smallest blood vessels in the skin. These tiny vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients while helping remove waste products. When microcirculation functions well, it supports the skin’s natural recovery processes and contributes to a healthy, radiant appearance.
In spring, temperatures tend to fluctuate more quickly. Cool mornings are followed by warmer afternoons. This constant adjustment asks something of the small blood vessels in the skin, which repeatedly constrict and dilate in response. Some people notice this as mild redness or sensitivity. It is not a defect, but a physiological response to changing conditions.
Hormonal changes can make this transition more noticeable
For women, there is often an additional factor involved. Oestrogen influences several important skin functions, including collagen production, hydration and the integrity of the skin barrier. During perimenopause, oestrogen levels can fluctuate, which may affect the skin’s natural ability to recover and stay balanced.
As a result, the shift from winter to spring can feel more noticeable. The skin may respond more quickly to sunlight, temperature changes and humidity, not because it is weaker, but because it is moving through a different physiological phase.
What your skin truly needs in spring
The transition into a new season does not call for drastic measures, but it does ask for more conscious support.
You can help your skin by nourishing it in the evening and supporting the barrier with a richer oil such as Squalan Rich, allowing the skin to recover overnight. During the day, a formula with antioxidant properties, such as Squalan Gold, can help neutralise free radicals when you are spending more time outdoors. Build up sun exposure gradually in the morning hours and give your skin the time it needs to adapt to light again. Try to avoid major changes in your skincare routine when your skin is already adjusting to shifts in temperature and sun intensity.
A skin that is given time to adapt remains more resilient than a skin that is constantly having to compensate.
Frequently asked questions about skincare in spring
Should you already be using SPF in spring?
That depends on your skin type and your level of exposure. The UV index starts to rise early in the season, so a gradual approach to sun exposure and a more conscious awareness of time spent in the sun are important, especially if you are outdoors for longer periods.
Why does my skin feel drier in spring?
Winter can leave the skin barrier more vulnerable, which increases moisture loss. At the same time, UV exposure begins to rise, which can create additional oxidative stress.
Do antioxidants really help protect the skin from sun exposure?
Antioxidants help neutralise free radicals and support the skin’s natural protective mechanisms, but they are not a substitute for a sensible approach to sun exposure.
Sources and further reading
Scientific publications show that the skin barrier can become more vulnerable during colder seasons and that transepidermal water loss increases when humidity levels are low. It is also well documented that UVA radiation can cause oxidative damage without visible burning and can even penetrate glass. Research into hormonal changes shows that oestrogen plays an important role in collagen production, skin thickness and hydration.
For further reading, we refer among others to publications in the British Journal of Dermatology, the International Journal of Cosmetic Science and studies on the hormonal influences on skin structure.
