With summertime comes warm weather and more time spent outdoors. Just like you swap your winter wardrobe for your summer wardrobe, it’s important to give your skin some special attention during the summer months. When it comes to skincare for summer, most of your skincare routine can probably stay the same year-round, but there are some extra details that will help you maintain your healthy summer glow.
Summer Skincare Tips
Much of your skincare routine may be able to stay the same from winter to summer. Chances are, you might have already optimized your skincare routine, found which skincare products work for you, and settled into a consistent routine. Many dermatologists suggest giving your skin a chance to adjust to the new season itself, which may take a few weeks.
In general, most people can lighten up their skincare routine, switching out heavier cleansers and moisturizers with products that are more lightweight. The four essential summer skincare products we recommend are:
· An antioxidant soothing cleanser. With more time spent outdoors, there are likely more environmental pollutants and oxidants that could damage your skin. Botanical oils and extracts protect against free radicals found in pollution and also against sun damage and skin aging. We also recommend skipping the foundation during the summer months.
· A moisturizer. Choose a lightweight moisturizer that won’t clog your pores.
· Serums. We recommend a light hyaluronic acid serum underneath your SPF. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin smooth and plump. Collagen-boosting serums give skin an extra boost of hydration. A vitamin C serum can also help prevent hyperpigmentation, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and stimulate collagen production.
· Sunscreen. Sun protection should be used all year, but many lessen their SPF (or even skip sunscreen entirely) during the colder months. With additional time spent outdoors in the warm weather, it’s more important than ever to use SPF daily and reapply.
These four key products are the basis of a healthy skincare routine for the summer months. In addition to these products, we also recommend staying in the shade and wearing sun-protective clothing such as hats with wide brims, sunglasses, and long sleeves. Be mindful of what parts of your body you expose to the sun and take care to expose as little of your body as possible to direct sunlight. Sit under an umbrella at the beach or in the shade of a tree in the park. Wear a hat or avoid the sun when it’s strongest during the day. It is also important to remember to hydrate. You can hydrate your skin with lotions and moisturizers, but don’t forget to drink plenty of water as well to hydrate your skin from the inside. You should aim to consume eight glasses of water a day.
It goes without saying that sun protection is the most important aspect of a summer skincare routine, and we cannot stress the importance of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher during the summer months. Apply sunscreen daily—even when it’s cloudy—on all exposed skin and take care not to miss those easily forgettable areas such as the ears, lips, hands, and feet. Because sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours, bring some along with you if you’re going to be out for long periods and set an alarm or reminder on your phone.
