Ask the Expert: How Should I Look After My Skin This Spring?

Q: How does spring weather affect my skin?

A: The weather can be erratic at this time of year – going from wind and rain to unexpectedly high temperatures and strong sunshine, and as a result, our skin may need extra attention. 

Too many layers of creams, moisturisers, with sunscreen applied on top, can cause breakouts and rashes at this time of year, especially among those in their 20s and 30s. Younger skin naturally produces a healthy amount of sebum – lipids and oils – and multiple layers of rich and powerful products can cause a disruption to the skin microbiome. 

I am seeing younger patients who are coming in with acne and facial rashes around the nose and mouth, when their skin was previously stable. Luckily, there’s a lot we can do to help – including advice on gentler skincare regimes and on the appropriate use of sunscreen.

Q: Do I need to change my skincare routine during spring?

A: As the weather gets warmer, our skin tends to produce more sebum, and if you have oily skin then stick to non-comedogenic products – that’s skincare and makeup that doesn’t clog up your pores. These may be labelled as ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘oil-free’, but it can often be hard to tell in the UK which products are genuinely comedogenic. So if you’re in doubt about what’s right for your skin type, it’s always a good idea to speak to a dermatologist.

It’s also best to avoid:

• Heavily perfumed products – these can cause allergies
• Facial oils and night creams – especially if you are in your 20s or 30s, as they are oilier and richer than day creams
• Year-round use of SPF 50 sunscreen

Q: Do I need to use daily sunscreen in spring?

A: Sunscreen is important, but it’s generally only necessary if you’re going to be in the sun for longer than half an hour. It can aggravate your skin if you’re using it on top of an extensive skincare regime. For people who are mainly indoors, or simply commuting back and forth, sunscreen may not be needed.

Exceptions to this will include:

• Those with photosensitive skin
• Those with medical conditions that make sun exposure more of an issue
• People taking medications that are affected by sun exposure

Q: What’s the expert advice on using sunscreen in spring? 

A: If you are out in the sun for half an hour or longer, use a broad spectrum sunscreen (ideally SPF 30 or above) that’s going to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.  

Look on the bottle for the following:

• The SPF number (e.g., SPF 30, SPF 50) – this shows the level of protection against UVB rays, which make up 95% of all ultraviolet radiation
• The letters ‘UVA’ inside a circle
• Sometimes the UVA star rating, which ranges from 0-5 (one star is around 20% of the SPF value, and overall it should be at least a third of the SPF)
• The wording ‘broad spectrum’ may also be present

You should also reapply sunscreen after a few hours if you’re spending a long time outdoors. However, if it’s a particularly sunny day, it’s a good idea to keep your skin covered with clothing and to wear a broad brimmed hat, if possible, as sunscreen alone isn’t enough to protect your skin against UV damage. 

If you’re dark skinned, The British Association of Dermatologists don’t usually recommend using sun protection here in the UK. This is particularly relevant if you are dark brown or black as you're much less likely to experience sunburn or damage to skin cells. You can check out their specific advice here . It is also important to be aware that if you are darker skinned and avoid the sun you may become Vitamin D deficient.

Q: Should I check my skin during spring?

A: I think it’s ideal at this time of year to do a head-to-toe check of your skin, particularly of any moles. Our bodies have been covered in layers over the winter, so it’s often easy to miss any changes to our skin.

I always recommend standing in front of a long mirror after a shower and spending a few minutes looking for anything that stands out. So, look out for a new or changing mole or any lumps, bumps, sores or patches of problem skin that haven’t healed for a while. The ABCDE guide for moles has been developed by dermatologists to help, and if you’re at all concerned, see your GP or specialist.

Q: How can mole mapping help protect you from melanoma?

A: We understand how having a large number of moles can make you anxious about melanoma but even with a lot of moles, the risk is still relatively low, especially among children and those in their 20s or early 30s.

Having said that, as specialists, we are still keen that people check their skin regularly and take precautions, as melanoma is one of the most common cancers to affect those below the age of 50. Early detection means the chances of successful treatment are much greater.

We offer cutting-edge mole mapping , with the Fotofinder ATBM master, which is particularly helpful for those with a large number of moles – it can help us track changes to your skin and moles over time. The process involves using state-of-the-art digital AI technology to regularly scan your whole body, creating a comprehensive record of all your moles and skin growths.

As a Consultant Dermatologist specialising in melanoma and moles, I assess the close-up scan images remotely within 72 hours. In most cases, this provides reassurance that all is well but, in the case of suspicious lesions, we can arrange fast-track appointments for prompt removal, thereby avoiding any unnecessary delays.

 Q: How can a Consultant Dermatologist help look after your skin during spring?

Our Consultant Dermatologists are renowned specialists in their field and offer exceptional care for all aspects of your skin health.

 This can include:

•  Comprehensive consultations, with a detailed skin health check
• Full investigations of any areas of concern, from minor blemishes to more serious conditions
• Consultant-led AI mole mapping to track any changes to moles
• Expert treatment for a range of conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, melasma, pigmentation, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers

Visit our private dermatology team at our London clinic 

If you would like to see one of our Consultant Dermatologists or wish to have a mole check assisted by AI , you can make an appointment online or call 020 7244 4200 to learn more about how we can help you.