Spring is a time of renewal and regeneration. It represents a fresh start after the protracted dormancy of winter, a figurative and literal shift that affects us both physically and psychologically.

In other words, the change of season isn’t confined to warmer temperatures, blooming flowers or sprouting seeds. It’s about the subtle shifts that occur in our bodies. Ancient systems of medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine, posit that the body is a microcosm of the world and that it is in our best interest to mirror and nurture the changes we see in nature. We’re not 100 per cent sure if there’s any science behind this, but one way is to “spring clean” our lives in order to make space for something new to bloom.

While most people tend to detox at the beginning of the year, spring, being inextricably linked with ideas of expansion and renewal, is the time that’s most conducive to a full body reset. Now is the perfect time to let go of stimulants and old habits and, above all, change the way you eat.

There are also subtle tweaks you can make to your grooming routine to ensure you spring forward in the best possible shape.

Winter is notoriously hard on skin. Exposure to sub-zero temperatures and biting winds, which is then often contrasted with central heating, can leave your complexion patchy, dull and blemish ridden. The quickest and most noticeable way of overhauling your face is through exfoliation, the process by which skin is relieved of dead cells, grime and oil.

There is more than one way to exfoliate, however, and it doesn’t necessarily involve a face scrub. An increasing number of dermatologists consider mechanical exfoliation with grainy scrubs – the kind with big, rough granules – to be not only primitive in their approach to skin health, but harmful, too. They believe the more abrasive formulas out there cause micro-tears on the skin, which leave it more susceptible to environmental damage (and thus premature ageing).

The other option is a chemical exfoliant made up of acids that have a gentle peeling effect. Granted, applying acid to your face might sound considerably more hardcore than scrubbing, but products such as Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask get the job done without disrupting the skin’s integrity. Its formula renews skin by way of azelaic and lactic acid, both of which do a great job of decongesting winter skin. Alternatively, seek out a resurfacing product with AHAs, enzymes or retinoids.

Pavement pounding in leather shoes, however snug the fit, will turn your feet into hooves by the end of winter. Podiatry afflictions of the vomitous variety may include foot funk, festering fungi, ingrown toenails and calluses. With sandal season on the horizon, it would be sensible to think about rehabilitating your feet.

Short of amputation, a proper (medical-grade) pedicure from a trained podiatrist might be the perfect solution. The procedure involves sterilised power tools, blades, picks and buffers designed to perform a variety of heavy-duty tasks that would be dangerous, and near impossible, to achieve at home with a pair of rusty old clippers and a pumice stone. Moreover, a trained professional can go about the job of removing hard horn skin without damaging any living tissue. We highly recommend the experts at Mr Bastien Gonzalez’s Pedi:Mani:Cure studios, which can be found at luxury spa resorts around the world.

Once the renovation is complete, you can maintain your pedicure yourself with the exhaustive selection of tools found in Czech & Speake’s manicure sets.

Rich, warming comfort foods are key to surviving winter and, as spring approaches, your palate will naturally lean towards cleaner and lighter foods. Consciously rebalancing the flora in your gut will make a tangible difference to how you feel and look.

The micro-organisms that line the digestive tract don’t just help with breaking down food and assimilating nutrients. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that bacteria in the gut may impact the brain. In fact, many mood-altering chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid are produced in the gut. Moreover, any permeability in the wall of the intestines (usually from too much processed or comfort food) will cause inflammation, which is swiftly expressed in the form of temperamental skin.

Probiotics, the guardians of the gut, need to become an essential component of your diet as you reset your body for spring. Go about repopulating your insides with probiotics from fermented foods such as kefir, cottage cheese and sauerkraut or from a high-quality supplement. Prebiotics, while not as famous as probiotics, are equally important. They are the indigestible plant fibres that provide fuel for probiotics. Think of prebiotics as the fertiliser for probiotics. Together, they can alter the environment of your entire gastrointestinal system.

The Nue Co Milk Protein + Gut Food features both probiotics and prebiotic inulin, which make it one of the more comprehensive supplements for wellbeing.

The therapeutic benefits of decluttering are well documented. A cleaner space is conducive to a clearer mind, more space and less stress. The same is true for the products in your bathroom cabinet. The only difference is these could cause damage if they’ve been opened and left to collect dust. Like foodstuffs, skin and haircare products expire with time and, unless your bathroom is as sterile as an operating table, light, oxygen and contaminated fingers will speed up the degradation process. Sunscreens become inactive (a good reason to buy a fresh batch every summer) while “active” formulas lose their potency or become dangerous to use.

These days, most high-end manufacturers feature a use-by date on their products. Others include a small logo on the back of the bottle that tells you how long a product will last once it has been opened – a small illustration of a jar with a number on it followed by the letter M. For example, a 12M logo implies that the formula should remain stable for 12 months once opened.

There are, of course, more tangible, tell-tale signs that suggest your product has had its time. Check if the water has separated from the cream in your moisturiser or if the colour or smell changes – these are not reassuring signs.

Fragrance, much like your wardrobe, requires a rethink as the seasons change. A bold, leathery eau de parfum is perfectly acceptable for winter but, come spring, the weather is more conducive to a brighter scent with less weight. Odour molecules travel with greater ease in warm weather, so you don’t need to make a statement with a loud or intense fragrance.

An eau de cologne, which contains considerably less perfume oil than an eau de toilette or eau de parfum, might be more appropriate. It may not pack an olfactory punch, but rest assured the warmer climate will allow the scent to travel more easily than you might expect.

Classic eau de colognes (not to be confused with the generic term that Americans use to denote any kind of male fragrance) tend to contain citrus notes such as bergamot, lemon or bitter orange, which give the juice a refreshing zing. For a more contemporary twist on a classic eau de cologne, look to Arlington Cologne by D R Harris or Sunday Cologne by Byredo. The latter is both crisp and woody with geranium and bergamot in the heart.

The skin is an adaptive organ that responds to both our internal world and our immediate environment. Like any organ, it is constantly seeking homeostasis, a state of balance. It’s quite common, therefore, for your skin type to change ever so slightly as the air starts to warm up. You may notice that your skin is becoming oilier than usual or that the build-up of winter products combined with increased humidity is causing random blemishes. Dense oil-based moisturisers that saw you through winter are going to need to find their way to the bin (see above). You still want your skin to get a decent amount of moisture, but nothing in a format that is too rich or dense.

A lightweight gel or a serum followed by a broad-spectrum sunscreen should suffice for spring. Dr Sebagh’s cult classic, Serum Repair, is known for its firming and anti-ageing properties but it also contains a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, a molecule that will lock moisture into the skin without making your face feel greasy. If you want to stick with a more familiar format, there’s always Lab Series Water-Charged Gel Cream, an oil-free moisturiser that has a cooling zing on application.