Spring is, for many people, their favourite time of year. But for your skin, it represents a real shift: more daylight hours, higher UV radiation, rising temperatures and, in the Canary Islands, the permanent combination of sun, wind and salinity that already makes our skin work harder than anywhere else in Spain.

If you are still using the same winter routine when spring arrives, your skin is probably telling you loud and clear: more oiliness, more visible pores, redness or that feeling that products no longer sit the same way. It is not that they have stopped working. It is that your skin has changed and your routine has not caught up yet.

At Farmacia Golf del Sur, we have spent years helping our clients adapt their skincare to the change of season. Here is what we recommend.

Why spring affects skin more in the Canary Islands

On the Spanish mainland, the transition from winter to spring means moving from cold and central heating to moderate warmth. In the Canary Islands, the starting point is already different: the sun does not disappear in winter, humidity is constant, and the southerly wind known as calima can appear at any time of year.

When spring arrives, what changes most significantly is the UV index, which in Tenerife can reach values of 8 or 9 (classified as very high) from April onwards. That means the solar radiation your skin receives at 11 in the morning in Golf del Sur in April is comparable to the height of summer in Madrid.

The second factor is natural cell renewal. Skin has its own rhythms. With increased light and temperature, it accelerates its renewal cycle, which can lead to more dead cells accumulating on the surface, more active sebaceous glands and, for acne-prone skin, more breakouts.

The first step: renew before you add

Before introducing new spring products, your skin needs a clean slate. Not in an aggressive sense, but a gentle reset that removes the winter's build-up.

Exfoliate, but wisely

A mild chemical exfoliant one or two times a week is enough for most skin types. AHA acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic) dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells without the need for scrubbing. They are particularly useful in spring because they also improve the penetration of the active ingredients that follow.

Our catalogue offers options for every skin type: from Neostrata exfoliants for more resilient skin to the gentler formulas from Gema Herrerías for sensitive skin. If your skin tends to be sensitive or reactive, a lactic acid toner applied at night is sufficient.

Cleanse well, without overdoing it

Spring cleansing can be slightly more thorough than in winter, but there is no need to overdo it. If you were using a very nourishing cleansing balm or oil in winter, you can switch to a lighter gel or foam cleanser in the morning and keep the richer cleanser just for the evening or as a double cleanse.

The key active ingredients for spring

Vitamin C: the star ingredient of the season

If there is one star ingredient for spring, it is vitamin C. It stimulates collagen synthesis, evens skin tone, reduces pigmentation and is a powerful antioxidant against UV radiation. It does not replace sunscreen, but complements it. The ideal is to apply it in the morning, after cleansing and before your moisturiser and SPF.

Retinol: the night belongs to you

Retinol is the most studied anti-ageing ingredient with the greatest scientific evidence. In spring, many people abandon it out of fear of photosensitivity, but the key is simple: apply it only at night and always wear sunscreen the following day. If you have never used retinol, spring is a good time to start with low concentrations. Explore our retinol selection.

Hyaluronic acid: hydration is non-negotiable

As temperatures rise, we tend to think that skin needs less hydration. This is a mistake. What changes is the type of moisturiser: lighter, more fluid textures in spring. Hyaluronic acid, especially in serum form, works all year round because it acts from within the skin rather than creating a greasy barrier on the surface.

Sunscreen: from optional to essential

If there is one single thing to change in your routine when spring arrives in the Canary Islands, it is making sure that sunscreen is a fixed part of every morning, without exception. The UV index in Tenerife is high practically all year round, but from March it rises significantly. UVA radiation passes through clouds and glass.

A light or fluid SPF 50 is perfectly compatible with any routine and any skin type, including oily skin. Formulations have advanced so much that there is no longer any excuse of it clogs my pores or it makes my skin feel greasy. For skin with pigmentation or post-acne marks, SPF products with depigmenting agents are particularly interesting in spring. Explore our sun care selection.

Adapt your routine to your skin type

Dry or dehydrated skin

Keep your richer moisturiser at night but switch to a fluid or gel texture in the morning. Add a vitamin C serum in the morning and make sure the SPF you use also provides hydration.

Oily or combination skin

Spring often brings more shine and more visible pores. A gentle astringent toner (niacinamide, zinc) after cleansing helps regulate sebum. Look for moisturisers and sunscreens with a matte finish or oil-free formulas. A double cleanse at night removes excess sebum without drying the skin out.

Sensitive or reactive skin

Take it slowly with changes. Introduce one new product at a time, waiting a week between each one to spot any possible reactions. Gently formulated antioxidants and mineral SPF products are your best allies in spring.

Skin with pigmentation or dark spots

Spring is the time to reinforce depigmenting treatments at night and shield your skin with maximum SPF during the day. Without sun protection, any depigmenting treatment loses its effectiveness.

A spring routine at a glance

Morning: Gentle cleanser → Vitamin C serum → Light moisturiser → SPF 50

Evening: Double cleanse (optional) or thorough cleanse → Chemical exfoliant (2-3 times per week) → Serum or treatment (retinol, hyaluronic acid) → Moisturiser

Not sure where to start?

That is exactly what we are here for. At Farmacia Golf del Sur we can guide you in person or via WhatsApp based on your skin type, your current products and what you want to achieve. There is no need to buy anything new if what you already have is working — sometimes it just needs to be reordered.

We are at Av. José Miguel Galván Bello, 10 · Golf del Sur · San Miguel de Abona

WhatsApp us: +34 653 858 430