Your skin requires some extra attention and care to keep it healthy, glowing, and protected during the warm and sunny days of summer. Depending on your skin type and where you’re spending your time, the higher temperatures, humidity, and intense sunshine can wreak havoc on your skin. Keep reading to find out how to improve your summer skincare routine so you can maintain a healthy, radiant complexion throughout the season.
1. Wash with a Foam-Based Cleanser
Many people tend to spend more time outdoors this time of year, and this often means a lot more sweating. As a result, you’ll likely want to spend more time washing your face to remove sweat and dirt. For your summer skincare routine, switch to a light foam-based cleanser instead of your cream or oil-based cleansers. Even though it’s tempting to want to constantly wash your face in summer, stick to only washing your face twice per day and after you exercise to keep your skin clean and moisturized.
2. Be Gentle with Exfoliation
Incorporating physical or chemical exfoliants into your summer skincare routine can help prevent clogged pores from sweat, sunscreen, and excess oils. While you may be tempted to exfoliate every day to keep your pores clear, it’s important to keep exfoliation to only once or twice per week for optimal results. This will keep your pores clear without causing damage to your skin barrier. If you get a sunburn, avoid harsh exfoliants until your skin has healed.
3. Incorporate Antioxidants
Antioxidants such as vitamin C are great to incorporate into your summer skincare routine. Topical vitamin C serums can help neutralize free radicals that are created by UV rays, minimizing the harmful effects of the sun. These effects can include fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and others. Vitamin C is considered safe for most skin types and has been shown to significantly reduce sunburn cell formation. Keep in mind, however, that vitamin C serum does not replace the need for sunscreen.
4. Use Non-Comedogenic Products
Non-comedogenic makeup and skincare products are specially formulated to not block pores. Add these products to your summer skincare routine to help combat clogged pores. Non-comedogenic products have water-based formulas that are light and breathable. Opt for products that are labeled as non-comedogenic and contain ingredients such as glycerine, niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.
5. Apply Retinoids at Night
Retinoids are used to help reduce fine lines and acne. Because retinoids can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, some people stop using them in the summer. However, you can continue to use your over-the-counter or prescription retinoids all year long, including in summer. Just make sure you only apply retinoids at night and diligently use sun protection to reduce your risk of sun damage.
6. Swap to a Lightweight Moisturizer
Excessive heat can be dehydrating for your skin. Though it may be tempting to avoid moisturizer this time of year to keep your skin feeling light, it’s still necessary to moisturize your skin to combat dehydration. For your summer skincare routine, switch to a lightweight moisturizer that will hydrate your skin without weighing it down or feeling greasy. If you have dry skin, a gel-based moisturizer with hyaluronic acid or ceramides will work. If you have oily skin, opt for a water-based lotion to add hydration without extra grease.
7. Wear Sunscreen Daily
The most essential step in your summer skincare routine is sunscreen. You should apply half a teaspoon of sunscreen to your face and neck every day. You can choose lightweight, non-greasy sunscreens, but make sure they offer broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of at least 30. If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, remember to reapply sunscreen to your face and body every two hours or after sweating or swimming to keep your skin protected from harmful UV rays.
Step-By-Step Summer Skincare Routine
It’s important to apply your skincare steps in the right order. This ensures your skin receives the maximum benefits offered in each product. No matter the types or amounts of products you use, you should always apply them in order from thinnest to thickest. While your specific routine will vary, here are examples of morning and nighttime summer skincare routine orders:
Morning:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Serum
- Eye cream
- Spot treatment
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Nighttime:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Treatment
- Retinoid
- Serum
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer
More Summer Skincare Tips
In addition to implementing a great summer skincare routine, it’s also important to take care of your skin by effectively protecting it from the sun. To avoid damage from the sun’s harmful rays this summer, check out this list of tips and tricks for sun protection so your skin can stay safe and healthy all season long!
