The concept of spring cleaning is often associated with steam mops and dust pans. But as a beauty editor, I think of spring cleaning as an opportunity to ditch the old and shop for new beauty products.
As we're soon approaching the first day of spring, the new season offers the opportunity to swap out your old beauty products for new ones. Over time, products can lose their efficacy, whether due to ingredient breakdown or reaching their expiration dates, leading to a decline in performance. So to ensure your beauty essentials are always working their best and free of bacteria or expired ingredients, it's always a good measure to replace when needed — and spring is a great opportunity for that.
“Even the best beauty items lose efficacy due to ingredient breakdown over time," Dr. Marnie Nussbaum previously told TODAY. "So all beauty products will ultimately harbor bacteria due to multiple factors, which can lead to infection, irritation and acne." And that means paying attention to expiration dates, odd smells and textures, along with anything else out of the ordinary.
To help break it all down, the board-certified dermatologist recently shared on the 3rd hour of TODAY, beauty essentials worth upgrading for the spring season. From a serum-infused body wash to multi-purposeful makeup kits, keep reading to discover our version of "spring cleaning" with expert-loved spring beauty finds.
Best spring beauty essentials, as seen on TODAY
Products to replace for spring:
"In the winter, you may be using a thicker moisturizer, with heavy occlusives to protect the skin," Nussbaum explains. "But as we enter spring, we can transition to a more lightweight option." So if you're using an ointment or cream, you can transition into a lighter cream or serum to moisturize, such as this pick from CeraVe, which hydrates the face and body without the greasy or heavy residue.
Nussbaum notes that while she loves using this cream year-round, you should be replacing it every three months.
If not cleaned properly, makeup brushes should be replaced every three months, per the dermatologist, as they can harbor bacteria, dirt and dead skin. For a makeup brush glow-up this spring, we're loving Morphe's eight-piece makeup set, which includes all of the tools you need for the face and eyes.
And to help maintain your new brushes, Nussbaum recommends washing them bi-weekly with a brush cleanser or baby shampoo.
"Exfoliating gloves are a great tool to get our skin smooth and ready for the warmer weather, but beware: They can harbor dead skin cells, germs and debris," says Nussbaum, so you'll want to swap these tools out periodically. These exfoliating gloves make it easy to buff away dead skin — just wear, add water and cleanser, then gently massage at least once a week.
For men, this facial scrubber can be used on the face and beard to prevent ingrown hair, prep for skin care and remove dead skin. Nussbaum says it's great for after-shaving, especially for those who are prone to ingrown hairs.
Products to get you ready for spring:
"After a long, cold winter, it’s so important to hydrate and repair the skin," the dermatologist emphasizes. To bring the glow back, using a hydrating body wash makes dull skin appear more radiant. This editor-loved body oil contains 50% glycerin with a rich lather, leaving the skin with lasting, skin-softening moisture.
Plus, be sure to click the coupon code at checkout on Amazon to receive the discount.
"After months of dry heat, cold temperatures and wind-chapped skin, we need to hydrate our faces," says Nussbaum. Repair dry skin with a moisturizing face mask, such as this cream-coated sheet mask pack from Timesavvy. It comes in two pieces per mask, which should fit comfortably on the face without slipping, according to the brand.
The Jaxon Lane "Bro Mask" was designed with men's skin in mind, with a beard-friendly design, larger dimensions, and high-performing ingredients to calm and soothe his skin.
"As spring approaches, our sebaceous glands produce more oil due to the higher temperatures, which may cause your skin to start feeling more greasy," details Nussbaum. To combat excess oil, the dermatologist loves these facial sheets from Clean & Clear.
"The blotting papers instantly soak up oil and remove shine, without smudging makeup," she says, "Use around your nose, T-zone or any area of your face for a quick touch-up, anytime."
More spring beauty products to shop
According to the brand, this aluminum-free deodorant delivers up to 48-hours of odor protection, so you can sweat without worry.
A previous beauty award winner for "best value moisturizer," you surely get a whole lot of bang for your buck with the Drench and Quench Moisturizer from Bliss. With four types of hyaluronic acid, the cream offers "weightless" hydration for all-day comfort.
For those days when you don't have time (or the energy) to wash your hair, this dry shampoo both cleans and detoxifies the hair and scalp for a fresh and smooth feel.
Dry lips? Repair a damaged moisture barrier with the recently launched Burt's Bees Lip Butter, which contains nourishing butters and vitamin E to soothe and soften a dry pout.
Spring cleaning also means cleaning your makeup brushes, too. So if your makeup tools haven't been cleaned in a while, take this as a sign. We're loving this liquid makeup tool cleaner for deep cleaning build-up.
“Eyeshadows should be replaced every six months,” Nussbaum previously told us, so use this as your excuse to upgrade yours. We’ve previously reviewed the Julep eyeshadow stick, and love it for swift application and touch-ups. It’s easy to blend (no tools required!), long-lasting and shouldn’t crease.
Sunscreen is important every day of the year, but as the weather gets warmer, SPF application should be prioritized in your beauty routine. They also come with an expiration date, so if your current SPF is reaching its end, the dermatologist recommends this popular pick from EltaMD. It’s lightweight, oil-free and formulated specifically for those with acne-prone and/or sensitive skin.
We may be used to applying SPF on our face and body, but our lips shouldn’t be neglected. The skin on our lips is thin and can be prone to sunburn, too. “Lips cannot moisturize themselves and have a difficult time protecting themselves from the sun, so this makes a hydrating lip SPF critical to an everyday routine,” Nussbaum explained. To maintain these benefits, she adds that your lip products should be swapped out at least once a year.
You most likely have travels on your agenda this season. As you’re packing for your next trip, don’t second guess packing your beauty essentials. This trio set includes a beauty sponge cleaner, a beauty sponge and a protective travel carrying case so your sponge stays in top shape no matter where your travels take you. Plus, it ensures you’re cleaning your tools at home and on-the-go, as makeup tools can be hosts for bacteria and germs.
Nussbaum regularly uses alcohol prep pads to wipe down her phone, and she suggests that her patients do the same. “These wipes are great to clean off germs and bacteria on daily essentials (cell phones, sunglasses, watches, etc.), so that you’re still protected throughout the day and not transferring any contaminants to your skin,” the dermatologist added, which can contribute to breakouts.
“When washing our faces, we generally pat dry with a washcloth by the sink that sits in a damp, warm area that mold and bacteria love,” Nussbaum says. “They are also usually rough and irritating. The best way to avoid acne and the spread of bacteria and inflammation on the face is to use a soft, clean washcloth and replace after each use.”
These muslin washcloths, in particular, were made for babies, so we can trust that they’re gentle and soft enough for our skin, too.
Approved by the National Eczema Association, Tower 28’s SOS Rescue Spray drenches the skin with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients to calm and soothe the skin barrier, says the brand. Just use it day and/or night, or whenever you need a quick refresh.
Commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto used this Nioxin shampoo as a part of her own three-step method for promoting hair growth. After a few weeks of use, she noticed an increase in thickness around her hairline.
This SPF from La Roche-Posay can be used on the face and body for optimal sun protection. “This is definitely a top sunscreen for me now!” shared media coordinator Lauren Biggerstaff. “It was lightweight, didn’t leave a white cast and felt super moisturizing.”
Editorial operations manager Jill Ortiz said NYX’s color-correcting palette has been a staple in her makeup routine for years. “I sleep for maybe 4.5 hours a night, so you can likely imagine how tragic my dark circles are — and this palette has everything I need to help minimize their look,” she notes. “Not only does it contain yellow to balance out my purple undereye, but it also includes [green] to combat redness.”
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with Dr. Marine B. Nussbaum.
- Dr. Marnie B. Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, is an award-winning board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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