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As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, it’s time to swap out your cozy winter skincare routine for one that suits the warmer months. Summer brings unique challenges for your skin – think UV exposure, sweat, and humidity. To keep your complexion glowing and healthy, making a few key adjustments is essential.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best summer skincare tips, product swaps, and habits to help your skin thrive all season long.
Hydration is King (and Queen)
The heat of summer can dehydrate your skin, leaving it feeling dry and tight. Keeping your skin hydrated – both from within and on the surface – is the first step in a solid summer skincare routine.
- Drink Up: First and foremost, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for eight glasses per day, or more if you’re sweating heavily during exercise or spending extended periods outdoors.
- Drink Up: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you’re outdoors or active. Aim for at least eight glasses a day to replenish lost moisture.
- Lighter Moisturizer: Ditch those heavy creams from winter and opt for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to lock in moisture without clogging pores.
- Lighter Moisturizer: Ditch those heavy creams from winter and opt for a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to lock in moisture without clogging pores.
- Hydrating Serums: Serums are a summer lifesaver. A good hyaluronic acid serum can deliver deep hydration without feeling heavy, making it a perfect addition to your routine.
- Hydrating Serums:
- Serums are a summer lifesaver. A good hyaluronic acid serum can deliver deep hydration without feeling heavy, making it a perfect addition to your routine.
Sunscreen: Your #1 Summer Essential
Sunscreen is the cornerstone of any summer skincare regimen. With the sun’s rays at their strongest during the warmer months, protecting your skin is non-negotiable.
- Broad Spectrum SPF 30 or Higher: Every day, regardless of the weather, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin. Broad-spectrum protection shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, which contribute to sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
- Water Resistance: Choose a water-resistant sunscreen if you’ll be sweating or swimming. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
- Layer smartly: Don’t skip sunscreen just because your makeup has SPF. Apply sunscreen as the final step in your skincare routine before adding any cosmetics.
- Broad Spectrum SPF 30 or Higher: Use a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Apply it daily, even when it’s cloudy, and don’t forget your neck, ears, and hands.
- Water Resistance: If you’ll be sweating or swimming, pick a water-resistant sunscreen. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you’re in water or perspiring.
- Layer Smartly: Don’t skip sunscreen just because your makeup has SPF. Apply sunscreen as the final step in your skincare routine before adding any cosmetics.
Keep It Light with Minimalist Makeup
Your skin may thank you for giving it a breather from heavy products during the summer. A minimalist makeup routine can help you achieve a fresh, radiant look while letting your skin breathe.
- Tinted Moisturizer: Swap foundation for a tinted moisturizer with SPF. It offers lightweight coverage while protecting your skin from the sun.
- Waterproof Formulas: Use waterproof mascara and eyeliner for smudge-free wear during hot, humid days or trips to the pool.
- Let Your Skin Breathe: When you can, skip makeup entirely to give your skin a chance to recover from sweat and environmental stressors.
- Tinted Moisturizer: Swap foundation for a tinted moisturizer with SPF. It offers lightweight coverage while protecting your skin from the sun.
- Waterproof Formulas: Use waterproof mascara and eyeliner for smudge-free wear during hot, humid days or trips to the pool.
- Let Your Skin Breathe: When you can, skip makeup entirely to give your skin a chance to recover from sweat and environmental stressors.
Bonus Summer Skincare Tips
For an extra edge in maintaining your skin’s health and glow during summer, consider these additional tips:
- Protect Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection to shield your eyes and the delicate skin around them.
- Eat Skin-Boosting Foods: Load up on fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Nutrient-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and leafy greens help hydrate and nourish your skin from within.
- Pamper Post-Sun: If you’ve spent time in the sun, soothe your skin with after-sun care products like aloe vera gel or a gentle hydrating lotion.
- Shower Smarter: Skip long, hot showers, which can strip your skin’s natural oils. Stick to lukewarm water and limit showers to 10 minutes.
Stick to the Routine
The best way to keep your skin radiant all summer is to stay consistent with your summer skincare routine. Hydration, sun protection, and lightweight products are the foundation of healthy, glowing skin in the warmer months. Adjusting your regimen to suit summer’s unique demands will keep your complexion looking its best all season long.
Image credit: Photo by Ruizhe du; Photo by Maddi Bazzocco; Photo by kevin laminto; Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis; Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash