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As we quickly push winter out of the door and welcome the sun with open arms, the home might not be the only thing that needs a good spring clean.

Winter-battered skin may also be craving a good revamp after months of bitter cold winds, soaring central heating temperatures and overindulgence in comfort foods.

Peter, our skin expert at SkinGenesis, said: “It’s finally safe to say that the winter months are officially behind us, however the after-effects on the skin have left people feeling a bit deflated with their tired appearance and at the prospect of summer.

“Now that the warmer months are upon us, people should be thinking about starting up the skin regime they might have let slide over the winter months. Just as you think about getting your house and your body into shape for summer, the skin is just as important because it is the body’s main organ and acts as the body’s barrier to the outside world.”

To help combat winter skin and reinforce weakened defences, Peter has given his top five tips to spring clean your skin and get back a glow that will last all summer long.

1. Cleanse, dust and replenish

Going back to basics, the three golden rules of cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise still stand.

– Avoid harsh, alcohol-containing cleansers because the skin will be at its most sensitive after the bitter weather, so you need to maintain as many of its natural oils as possible.
– Exfoliating twice a week with a gentle scrub or mitt will safely dust away dead cells to reveal fresh, plumper cells that will give you brighter skin.
– Finally replenish the goodness in dry, cracked skin by using a rich moisturiser that quenches your skin’s thirst.

2. Boost your vitamin intake and exercise

Brighten up your skin by following the ACE guide. Vitamins A, C and E all have fantastic effects on the skin and can be found naturally in the foods you eat daily. Retinol is a form of vitamin A, which is good for stimulating cell growth and cell turnover, producing a younger looking skin and has long been associated with helping to repair sun damage to the skin.

Vitamins C and E are powerful anti-oxidants that absorb and protect against free radical damage, which can cause premature aging. Free radicals are caused by exposure to the sun and the processing of carbon to form carbon dioxide. This destroys skin cells including collagen and elastin, consequently affecting the skin’s ability to regenerate.  A rich supply of vitamins C and E will ensure that cells can remain healthy enough to renew themselves.

Regular exercise will also improve blood circulation, which in turn will give you a healthy appearance and benefit the rest of the body.

3. Give your skin a professional treat

Professional skin treatments, such as microdermabrasion or an anti-bacterial chemical peel can speed up the process of revealing fresher, more vibrant skin when coupled with your daily skincare routine. Depending on your skin condition and the number of treatments you receive, these can sort out anything from dry skin and fine lines right through to acne, leaving you able to walk in the sun with your head held high.

If you’re on a budget, a face mask on a Sunday evening will replenish the goodness that is zapped out of the skin after the weekly stresses of work and home life.

4. Drink, drink, drink

Another oldie, but its cheap, accessible and it works. Aiming for eight glasses of water per day can plump out the skin, re-hydrate you and leave you feeling active.

5. Protect your skin from harmful rays

The importance of protecting your skin from the sun’s powerful rays cannot be stressed enough. Even when it appears cloudy or dull, the sun is still out there beaming down on us. Wearing a moisturiser that contains an SPF will help protect the delicate facial skin from premature aging and melanoma. A normal SPF of a minimum factor 15 should also be used on other exposed parts of the body, such as the arms and legs.

Here's to great Spring Skin and looking forward to a long hot summer!