Temperatures are rising which means it’s time once again to tweak your skincare routine to ensure your skin stays healthy and radiant throughout the summer season.
With increased sun exposure, higher humidity levels, and sweating, it’s essential to adopt a summer skincare routine that focuses on protection, hydration, and rejuvenation.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through an effective and refreshing summer skincare routine for your skin type, covering everything from sunscreen application to the best facial in summer. Let’s dive right in!
Summer Skin Care Routine for Day & Night
Layering skin care in hot weather involves some strategy. You don’t want to suffocate the skin with tons of products that are going to sit on top of it all day and slowly melt off. Yet, you want to provide all the benefits from active ingredients and help keep it protected and hydrated.
Well, we’ll let you in on a little secret: you need to focus on textures and choose the products formulated for your skin type (we’ll talk more about that later).
But, to ensure you’re not overdoing it with layers and layers of skincare, you need to divide your routine into two categories: summer morning skin care routine and summer night skin care routine. Here’s what you need to do:
Summer Morning Skin Care Routine
For your summer morning skin care routine, the focus should be creating a barrier that shields you from the sun, but not making it too heavy and greasy. Keep it light and efficient. Here are 3 key steps:
Vitamin C
You should apply vitamin C serums first thing in the morning regardless of your skin type.
It’s particularly beneficial in the summer because it improves skin brightness, clarity, and smoothness while assisting in the battle against free radicals caused by UV radiation and other environmental conditions.
Hydrate and Moisturize
Hydration is key as that’s what will help you combat the loss of moisture caused by increased heat and humidity. Choose a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that provides hydration without feeling too heavy on the skin.
Note that hydration is also important from within. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day and incorporate foods with a high water content, especially in the summertime.
Sun Protection
Sun protection is the most crucial step in any summer skincare routine. Sun exposure can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Make sure you’re using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply it every two hours (or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating heavily). You can see our recommendations for best-ranked sunscreens here.
Also – don’t forget to protect and care for your lips! Make sure your lip balm has SPF as well.
Adjust Your Makeup
During the summer months, it’s important to allow your skin to breathe. Heavy foundations and powders can clog your pores and contribute to breakouts. So, look into oil-free, non-comedogenic products that provide coverage, but are still lightweight and breathable.
TIP
To keep your skin feeling fresh and cool throughout the day, you can use facial mists or thermal sprays. These products provide an instant burst of hydration and can be spritzed on your face without ruining your makeup.
Summer Night Skin Care Routine
At night, you can apply skincare products without worrying about how they interact with the sun. However, remember that in the morning, you’ll be exposed to sunlight again, so be cautious when using strong ingredients like retinoids.
Here’s what to do:
Cleanse and Exfoliate
In the summer, it’s advisable you cleanse and exfoliate a bit more frequently to make sure you’ve removed all dirt, oils, and sweat that clog your pores. However, this doesn’t mean you should overdo it.
Exfoliating should be kept to two to three times a week maximum! This will leave your skin fresh and ready to absorb the benefits of other summer skin care products.
Soothe and Nourish
After spending time in the sun, it’s essential to soothe and nourish your skin to alleviate any potential irritation or damage.
Incorporate antioxidant-rich serums and facial oils into your routine to repair and rejuvenate your skin. Look for ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and the summer staple – aloe vera, which can help neutralize free radicals and promote a healthy complexion.
Summer Skin Care Routine According to Skin Types
When it comes to summer skin care, one size does not fit all. Each skin type has unique needs and concerns that require specific attention during the hot summer months.
So, here’s how to customize your summer skincare routine, addressing the specific requirements of your skin type.
Summer Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin
Oily skin tends to produce a lot of sebum, which often results in a shiny complexion, something that is a bit harder to control in the summer. But more importantly, it also creates a predisposition to clogged pores and breakouts.
So, summer skincare for oily skin should focus on controlling oil production and maintaining a balanced complexion.
Morning Summer Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin
You should start your routine with a gel or foam cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil, which help control oil production and prevent breakouts.
Then, follow that up with a pore-tightening toner and a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer that hydrates without adding extra shine. Lastly, use oil-free chemical sunscreen to protect your skin during the day.
Night Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin
At night, focus on deep cleaning your pores. Exfoliate at least once a week, preferably with chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which help dissolve excess oil and keep your skin clear. Avoid harsh physical scrubs, as they can irritate and stimulate more oil production.
Or, you can opt for a clay mask. Use it once a week to absorb excess oil and balance oil production in the T-zone while not overly drying out the drier areas of your face. Choose a mask with ingredients like kaolin clay or bentonite clay.
And, don’t forget to moisturize! Oily skin still needs moisturizers as they help keep it hydrated and plump. Just make sure you’re not using heavy, occlusive products. Gel-based formulas are your best friend when it comes to summer skincare for oily skin.
Best Facial for Oily Skin in Summer: Exfoliating Facial
Exfoliation is important for all skin types, but it’s especially important for oily skin. Sweating is a body’s natural way of cooling off, but when it’s trapped under all the products and sunscreen, it can lead to clogged pores.
Exfoliation is a must since that’s what helps unclog the pores, reducing the chance of blemishes and acne forming.
Summer Skin Care Products Recommendations
Summer Skin Care Routine for Acne Prone Skin
If you have acne-prone skin you need to pay special attention to ingredients that can break you out.
If you have occasional breakouts or blemishes, use spot treatments. During summer months it’s better not to unnecessarily dry out your skin, so only treating blemished spots is highly recommended.
Look for products with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and apply them only to the affected areas to help reduce inflammation and kill acne-causing bacteria. The rest of summer skincare routine for acne prone skin is basically the same as for oily skin.
Summer Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
Dry skin tends to lack moisture and can feel tight, rough, or flaky – especially during the summer when dehydration is more pronounced. The key to caring for dry skin in summer is to focus on intense hydration and nourishment.
Morning Summer Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
In the morning you can wash your face with a mild and hydrating cleanser that’s specifically formulated for dry skin as it won’t strip away your skin’s natural oils.
Then, you can follow it up with a hydrating toner that will help balance your skin’s pH levels. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin will help attract and retain moisture in your skin.
Apply a non-greasy moisturizer that provides deep hydration. Look for moisturizers that contain ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid. You can also choose to layer on some hydrating serums under your moisturizer if you want that extra boost of hydration.
As for sun protection, look for something that’s specifically formulated for dry skin, preferably with moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera or vitamin E.
Night Summer Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
Begin your nighttime routine by gently cleansing your face to remove dirt, sweat, and makeup. At night you should focus on deeply hydrating and nourishing your skin.
Use serums that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, or face oils such as jojoba or rosehip. These oils will absorb into the skin without clogging your pores.
You can lock that in with moisturizer. Using a cream with ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, or glycerin is always a good choice in a skin care routine for dry skin in summer.
Once a week you should exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and help your skincare sink in better. Choose a gentle exfoliant with AHA. Just be cautious not to over-exfoliate, as it can further dry out your skin.
Summer Skin Care Products Recommendations
Best Facial for Dry Skin in Summer: Hydrating Facial
There are many different kinds of hydrating facials out there so find the ones that suit you the best. You can look into hydrodermabrasion as it’s a procedure that simultaneously cleans and hydrates.
Make sure to consult with your technician beforehand as there may be instances when the weather conditions are unsuitable for the treatment.
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Summer Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin
Combination skin is characterized by an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier cheeks. Balancing the different needs of this skin type requires a targeted approach during the summer season.
Morning Summer Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin
For combination skin, look for a pH-balanced cleanser that is suitable for both oily and dry areas of your face.
Then, apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer to hydrate your skin without adding excess oil. You can apply more moisturizer to the drier areas of your face while keeping your T-zone application lighter.
When it comes to sunscreen for combination skin, it’s best to look for oil-free formulas that won’t feel heavy on your skin or clog your pores – especially since you need to reapply it throughout the day. This ensures you’re not suffocating your pores, and causing blemishes.
Night Summer Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin
Skin care routine for skin in summer differs the most during nighttime.
After cleansing, you can use an exfoliating toner with AHAs or BHAs 2-3 times a week to help unclog pores and promote a more even skin tone. This step is particularly beneficial for the oilier areas of your face, so focus mostly on your T-zone.
You can also try applying a clay mask in the T-zone while not overly drying out the drier areas of your face.
As for the serums, look into niacinamide as it will help boost moisture and balance your skin, which can prevent oily skin from overcompensating by producing too much oil. After you’ve applied your serums, follow up with a thin layer of light moisturizer.
Best Facial for Combination Skin in Summer
Combination skin requires a facial that can address both oily and dry areas while maintaining balance. This type of facial treatment usually involves gentle cleansing, exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, and sometimes extractions.
Summer Skin Care Products Recommendations
Summer Skin Care Routine for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin tends to react easily to environmental triggers, making it more susceptible to redness, irritation, and inflammation. During the summer, you need to take extra care to maintain the skin’s delicate balance.
Morning Summer Skin Care Routine for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin needs to prioritize using gentle and fragrance-free products.
A lot of ingredients such as petroleum, essential oils, and sulfates tend to irritate the skin. And seeing as high temperatures are taking their toll as well, you need products that help soothe, protect, and strengthen the skin barrier.
Protect your sensitive skin from the sun using a fragrance-free sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Look for physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as they are less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
Cleansers and moisturizers need to be specifically formulated for sensitive skin with mild ingredients like ceramides or oatmeal, which help soothe and protect your skin’s barrier. An added bonus is if the products are hypoallergenic and free from fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals as well.
Night Summer Skin Care Routine for Sensitive Skin
At night you can do some gentle exfoliation but only once a week. Avoid physical scrubs and harsh exfoliants, as they can aggravate sensitive skin. Instead, opt for gentle chemical exfoliants (just make sure you patch-test them first).
During summer, your exfoliation goals should be removing the debris from the sweat, SPF, and oil instead of speeding up the turnover process. Wait until summer is over and chemical peel season begins to do that.
Summer skin care products for sensitive skin should be calming so look for toners that contain ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, or rosewater, which have calming and hydrating properties.
You can also use soothing and cooling face masks once or twice a week to calm and hydrate your sensitive skin. Ingredients to look for include cucumber, aloe vera, or colloidal oatmeal, which help reduce redness and inflammation.
Summer Skin Care Products Recommendations
Best Facial for Sensitive Skin in Summer
Sensitive skin often has a compromised skin barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation. So the goal of the treatment should be to repair the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Look into LED light therapy, specifically healing red LED or yellow LED light. These procedures are designed to help speed up the skin healing process and even reverse sun damage.
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In Conclusion
Caring for your skin during the summer requires a customized approach based on your specific skin type and skin needs.
Remember, with the right summer skin care routine, you can protect your skin from the harsh effects of the sun and maintain a healthy, radiant complexion. Prioritize cleansing, hydration, sun protection, and soothing post-sun care to keep your skin looking its best.
