WLB Insider and daily reader, Jenna Rosen from Madison, West Virginia wrote in to WeLoveBeauty with a skincare question for renowned esthetician and dear friend, Kate Somerville.

Dear Kate,
I often have problem skin, especially in between seasons. I know we are still in the middle of Winter, but with Spring quickly approaching, my skin is going to freak out with the changes in the weather. I am wondering if you could help steer me in the right direction...what are the best ways to prep my skin for the upcoming Spring months?
Thank you so much for your help!
-Jenna

Of course being the fabulous woman that she is, Katie was more than willing to write back. Please see her response below:

"You've heard of Spring Cleaning...I believe in Spring Cleaning for the Skin! The skin has had to deal with a lot of environmental challenges throughout the Winter. I believe that Spring is the perfect time to talk to your esthetician about the state of your skin and how to improve it in the New Year.

I always recommend a clarifying facial at the start of the season. The indoor heat and harsh conditions outside can leave skin a bit stressed out and in need of some TLC. As Spring approaches, I love to do a cleansing facial, followed by really nurturing products...products that calm and rehydrate skin. I do recommend using a slightly lighter moisturizer during the day - to avoid clogging pores. Skin shouldn't need anything too heavy as Spring approaches.

Spring is also a good time to do any last minute skincare treatments that address sun-spots and photo-damage. Before the sun is too strong, it's an ideal time to have IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Treatment) to get rid of pesky pigment. These kind of lasers can make skin photo-sensitive for at least a month - so it's not a treatment you want to do in the Summer."

Kate Somerville Product Recommendation:

Total Vitamin AntiOxidant Complex - "Anti-Aging/Normal to Dry/Combination to Oily. Think multi-vitamin for your skin. Nurture & feed your complexion with the essential nutrients & powerful antioxidants necessary for optimal skin wellness." Total Vitamin contains....the highest performing and most stable form of Vitamin C - for skin lightening and brightening.  It also contains Vitamin E, which serves to fight free-radicals and as an emoliant for hydration.  It also contains a combo of essential oils - which natural scent is very fresh and will remind you of the Spring.... :-)


Goat Milk Cream - The lactose both hydrates and exfoliates.  It's light and moisturizing at the same time. Men love it too! "Sensitive/Combination to Oily. For years, Ancient Egyptians used goat milk to heal and nurture skin. Our delicate, daily moisturizer, enriched with nourishing goat milk proteins, vitamins & amino acids, similarly helps soothe & condition skin for optimum moisture balance and renewal."


Goat Milk Lotion - "Goat milk is prized for its restorative & healing properties. Full of vitamins, minerals & proteins, studies confirm this magic ingredient dramatically improves overall skin health. Naturally occurring enzymes gently work to exfoliate skin, leaving it healthier & smoother than ever before. Relieve dryness, sensitivity & irritation with this essential addition to any body-care program.


    * Lactose exfoliates & helps speed cellular turnover
    * Goat milk has a very close pH to our own skin & won't cause irritation
    * Witch hazel is a natural antiseptic & helps fight bacteria
    * Organic aloe calms & conditions skin


Drugstore - for the Body - post-winter skin can be dry and scaly, so you've gotta exfoliate. I love to put a few cups of Goat Milk in my Bath, which serves to dissolve dead skin cells and reveal fresher, new skin. I follow it with Curel Body Lotion - It's incredibly hydrating, locks in moisture and has a subtle fragrance.