This article has been redirected from the original publishing date of May 2021
Summer is just around the corner! Can’t wait to enjoy the sunshine, take a stroll on the beach, and take a swim? But before you do, let’s talk about how you protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun with a summer skincare routine that works.
Taking care of your skin in summer brings its own challenges and a set of questions. In summer, heat and high solar activity make changes to your beauty routine.
Here’s our Guide with 8 Essential Tips to help your skin get through the holiday season without all the fuss and stress.
1. Invest in a gentle cleanser in summer
Summer skincare starts with cleansing, no surprise there. The higher the air temperature outside, the higher the activity of the sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands). So, in summer even normal skin starts to behave like combination skin.
Sebum, plus sweat and city dust – all of these factors create conditions for clogged pores and blemishes. To avoid this, cleanse your skin wisely – twice a day and without the use of aggressive products (they provoke an even more intense production of sebum).
Use a mild, PH-balanced facial cleanser first thing in the morning before you go out and the last thing in the evening before you go to bed. Don’t forget to take care of your neck area! However, don’t go overboard with the cleansing – as cleaning too much can break the outer barrier of your skin that protects it from external damage.
Use products that agree with your skin type – if you have dry skin, you might want to use cleansing milk or balm. If you have oily to normal skin, go for a gel-based cleanser. Also, make sure to use a toner after cleansing your face.
More on toners: How To Choose Face Toners For Your Skin Type: 3 Best Tips
2. Lightweight your skincare routine
Just like you wear fewer layers in summer, you have to “wear” fewer layers in your summer skincare routine. As the summer kicks in, we tend to lose heavy layers and turn to light outfits.
It is time to swap to more lightweight formulas and break free from thicker cleansers, creams. Skin in summer needs some relaxation too. Keep your thick creams, cleansers in your drawer for winter, switch to gentler creams and cleansers. Your skin will thank you for it!
3. Don’t forget to moisturize, but go light
Do I really need to wear a moisturizer when it is 100 degrees outside? The answer is YES! Unfortunately, the layer of sweat forming on our skin during hot days doesn’t count as hydration. Your skin needs moisturizing 365 days a year, not just in summer.
Skincare products with lighter textures are nicer throughout the hot season. Use moisturizers in the forms of gel, fluid, water-based instead of thick, oily consistencies. Thicker consistencies tend to clog your pores which leads to acne formation and inflammation on your skin.
It would be ideal to use a moisturizer with an SPF factor (30 at least) that will not only provide the hydration your skin needs but also protect it from the sun.
Bear in mind that you still need to make sure the outermost layer of your skin (called stratum corneum) gets refreshed as it is the most important factor in protecting your skin from external pollutants, chemicals regardless of the season.
Your summer skincare routine just wouldn’t be complete without a good moisturizer.
4. SPF, SPF, SPF, and yes, SPF again
Dermatologists recommend protecting yourself from ultraviolet radiation all year round. So, sunscreen in summer is not even a matter of discussion. You have to wear it religiously if you want to fight off UV rays and prevent fast aging.
Choose a sunscreen according to these criteria:
- Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen; A wide spectrum of action is absolutely crucial, that is, protection not only from UV-B rays, but also from A-rays. Look for the UVA designation in a circle on the bottle, the abbreviation PPD or the words broad spectrum.
- Protection factor: Make sure your protection factor is at least SPF 30 in urban conditions and SPF 50 for the beach.
- Comfortable texture: Most of the time people do not want to use sunscreens because they are poorly distributed over the skin, leaving white marks, a sticky and greasy feeling after application. So, experiment with different textures and find the right one for you.
- Creams and lotions are best for dry skin, while gel like sunscreen will work best on oily/combination skin. You can also use sticks (around eyes for example), sprays. Make sure to use enough product when using sprays as the should be evenly disributed. Use natural sunscreens that contain zinc dioxide and titanium dioxide if you have sensitive skin.
Reapply your sunscreen every two hours, and don’t forget to include your neck area, the backs of your hands, and ears to avoid excess sun exposure.
5. Wear less makeup
When it comes to wearing makeup during summertime, less is more. Trust me, you don’t need your foundation to melt all over your face under the scorching Sun. Especially, since makeup tends to move a lot, it is better to avoid using much of it in general.
Skin in summer doesn’t need any additional layers. Our advice – just use tinted lightweight moisturizer, cc cream, or concealer with SPF if you absolutely need to. Don’t forget to use an eye shadow primer before applying eyeshadow on your lids so it won’t melt or disappear with the heat.
Check our blog post: Your Effective Quick Guide to CC creams, BB creams, and DD creams
6. Invest in a good vitamin C serum
Vitamin C is a super ingredient that your skin needs all seasons, especially in your summer skincare routine. It is a powerful antioxidant that prevents hyperpigmentation, fights free radicals and signs of photo-aging. And you know the number one reason behind photoaging? Harmful UV lights.
It will be an additional layer of protection for your skin in summer. Apply it right after cleansing, before moisturizer, and sunscreen day or night. I prefer applying it in the morning routine since I need its effect more throughout the day when I am most exposed to UV lights.
Vitamin C also boosts collagen production, so it provides skin with extra plumpness.
7. Wear sun protective clothes and stay in the shade
Summer skincare doesn’t only involve putting products on your face and body. You should protect your skin by putting on hats, wearing long-sleeved shirts made from cotton fabrics that won’t make you sweat too much.
Wear white clothes as much as possible because they won’t absorb UV light as opposed to wearing black clothes for example. Also, never forget your sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes from harmful UV lights. You can also shop for clothes with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) if you want more effective sun protection.
Seek shade whenever possible to prevent further sun exposure, especially from 10 am to 2 pm when the sun rays are the strongest. These are important guidelines set by AAD (American Academy of Dermatology Association) to prevent skin cancer.
8. Stay hydrated in summer
I think this point is the most important tip among other tips for summer skincare routine. Staying hydrated is important all year round, just like wearing SPF. However, it is even more important in summer when your body craves hydration even more.
Just like giving your skin hydration is crucial on the outside, it is crucial to provide hydration inside as well. Make sure to drink at least 6 cups of water a day! It will help your skin heal faster from sunburn and sun exposure in general.
The final takeaway
In short, ditch makeup, choose gentle cleansers, keep hydrated, wear sun-protective clothes, and seek shade. These are the fundamentals of an effective summer skincare routine.
Skin in summer is more susceptible to environmental damage, especially damage caused by UV lights. When you approach these tips step by step, building a summer skincare routine won’t be a problem after all.
