With record-breaking heat this summer, your skincare game might need a boost to maintain your glow while dealing with unusually high temperatures. With scorching heat and humidity, you'll need to ensure you have all the essentials to protect your skin from the summer sun. To help you stay on top of your skincare game this season, we've outlined the ultimate guide to keeping your skin healthy and glowing all summer long. So if you want to look and feel your best this summer, read on to learn all about the key summer skincare essentials!
What Are The Summer Skincare Essentials You Need?
How Does Our Skin Change In The Summer?
If you experience hot summer months where you live, your skin can change in various ways. During the hot summer days, our skin produces more oil to compensate for moisture loss. As a result, we can get oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts, which can be difficult to avoid without the right products. UV exposure from long days spent in the sun also increases our risk of sun damage, which leads to health issues and premature signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots. Lastly, if you live in a hot, dry climate, your skin is more prone to dehydration, leading to dry, flaky skin. Taking care of your skin with the right products can help keep these issues from becoming unmanageable.
What Skincare Products Do I Need For Summer?
The best way to protect your skin from the summer sun is to choose a few essential skincare products. Here are some of our most recommended products to keep your skin hydrated and protected.
1. Never Forget Your SPF
Sunscreen is arguably the most important product for summer skincare. Protecting your skin from the sun's damaging UV rays is vital for healthy skin. While you should always use SPF daily, it is even more important to use it during the summer months when UV rays are stronger. Sunscreen with at least SPF 30 should be applied daily and reapplied often to ensure optimal coverage. SPF helps prevent sunburns, wrinkles, dark spots, and other premature signs of aging. It also reduces the risk of skin conditions like melasma and skin cancer. SPF is an essential part of any summer skincare routine, so make sure you apply it generously every time you go outside! Remember to reapply every couple of hours if you're in the sun all day.
2. Use A Hydrating Cleanser
In the summertime, choosing the right cleanser is crucial to keep your skin moisturized and refreshed. Your skin needs extra moisture and protection from the sun, pollution, and other environmental factors. A gentle, hydrating cleanser will help keep your skin clean without stripping away its natural oils and prevent extra dryness. Pay attention to ingredients; look for something that contains moisturizers like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and skin-soothing ingredients like cica or green tea to help nourish and protect your skin.
Our Pick:
3. Exfoliate, But Don't Overdo It
It's important to exfoliate regularly to unclog pores that get blocked from sweat and oil buildup in the summer, but it's important not to overdo it and be gentle with your skin. Too much exfoliation can lead to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts. If your skin is feeling particularly dry, consider reducing the number of times you exfoliate further or opt for a chemical exfoliant like glycolic or salicylic acid, which can provide the same skin-smoothing benefits without being too abrasive.
Our Pick:
4. Use Antioxidant-Packed Serums
Your skincare routine should include antioxidant-packed serums for extra protection against the summer sun. Antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, niacinamide, and ferulic acid have powerful protective benefits that help fend off free radicals caused by UV exposure. These free radicals can lead to premature signs of aging, so antioxidant-rich serums help to protect and keep your skin from feeling dry and dull. Vitamin C and niacinamide also contain brightening properties to help reduce sun spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation that are more prominent in sunny weather. Serums can also help improve skin texture, tone, and firmness, making them an essential part of any summer skincare regimen.
Our Pick:
5. Stay Moisturized
Keeping your skin hydrated during the summer months is extremely important. The heat can cause your skin to become dehydrated, so using a moisturizer is essential. Choose a lightweight moisturizer that contains moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. You can look for a moisturizer with built-in SPF to provide extra protection from the sun and reduce the number of steps in your routine.
How Can I Maintain My Glow In Summer?
Maintaining your natural glow during the summer months can be tricky. The combination of heat and humidity can make your skin look dull or shiny in the wrong way. If your skin needs an extra boost, you can use face masks or under-eye patches containing antioxidants and brightening ingredients. You can also use a face mist to refresh your skin throughout the day and get a beautiful dewy finish. Boosting your skincare routine with antioxidant-rich serums and brightening ingredients can help your skin look brighter so you can maintain your glow throughout the summer.
Can I Skip Moisturizer In Summer?
We don't recommend skipping moisturizer in the summer. Even though moisturizing might feel counterintuitive if you are prone to sweating, a lightweight moisturizer can help regulate your skin biome without being too heavy for hot weather. Your skin can still become dehydrated even if it is humid out, so you still need to keep it hydrated and protected from environmental stressors like the sun, pollution, and harsh temperatures. Look for light, water-based moisturizers that are specifically designed for summer-weather skincare and won't leave your skin feeling greasy.
Is Serum Necessary In Summer?
Serums are essential in any summer skincare routine because of their protective benefits for your skin. Sun exposure can do a number on your skin, leading to premature signs of aging, discoloration, dryness, and other skin concerns. Serums that contain antioxidants like Vitamin C and skin-soothing ingredients like cica can help protect and nourish your skin in the face of harsh environmental factors.
The Final Verdict: Summer skincare essentials
Summer skincare is all about protecting your skin from the elements and finding the right combination of products to keep your skin healthy and glowing. We hope this guide helps you create the perfect summer skincare routine for you so you can look and feel your best during the hot summer months. With the right products, you can nourish and protect your skin from the summer sun, humidity, and other environmental stressors to maintain your natural glow and healthy skin all season long.