Summer Skin Care Tips Everyone Should Know
We all spend our summers under the same sun, but some people just seem to have a knack for keeping their skin glowing and clear all summer long. Most have to work so much harder in the summer to keep breakouts at bay and prevent sun damage… How do they do it?
And, to add insult to injury, facemasks have become part of our daily wardrobe. I suspect that all this mask wearing is leading to clogged pores and breakouts… which I not so affectionately call, “maskne.”
A solid skincare routine is so important, no matter what the season, but there are some things I think every girl should know when it comes to transitioning between a winter and summer routine. So, here’s what I do to keep my skin healthy and clear all summer long!
Lighten Up Your Summer Skincare
Just like we trade in winter jeans and sweaters for sundresses and flip-flops in the summer, we should also follow the most popular beauty trends and swap out heavy skincare products for their lightweight versions. For most men and women, summer’s heat and humidity call for lightweight, foaming cleansers and moisturizing gels and lotions instead of heavy creams.
Cut Down on the Number of Products, Too
Skin needs to breathe in the summertime, and it can’t do that if you’re piling on a ton of skincare and foundation. I love a summer skin care routine from K-beauty experts that revolves around multi-tasking products like moisturizers with built-in SPF and BB creams that blend away imperfections while providing hydration and sun protection. The experts at Peachy’s botox clinic in New York City emphazies on the use of sunscreen to protect skin against ageing as well as skin cancer. Its a multi-purpose product and provides you more benefits than using variety of skincare products on your face.
Remember that layering on a ton of products can lead to clogged pores, acne, and inflammation in the summer when the skin is already sweating and producing more oil. Since my skin is prone to breakouts, I pare my summer routine down to the essentials and it makes a huge difference.
But Don’t Be Tempted to Skip Moisturizer Altogether
One of the biggest summertime skincare mistakes you can make is to skip moisturizer altogether. Even if your skin is acne-prone and it’s 95 degrees outside. Sweat and oil do not hydrate the skin, and despite the heat and humidity, your skin needs hydration, especially after cleansing.
Moisturizers help protect the skin against pollutants in the air and prevent dryness, irritation, and premature aging. Allowing your skin to dry out only sends the signal that it needs to produce more oil, which is the exact opposite of what you want.
I’ve found that hydrating the skin with a lightweight gel or lotion moisturizer after you wash your face will keep it nourished, protected, and glowing without feeling heavy or clogged.
Vitamin C is a Summertime Skincare Essential
Vitamin C provides numerous benefits for the skin during any season, but I especially love itl in the summertime. This potent antioxidant is great for preventing and reducing hyperpigmentation, reducing fine lines, and boosting collagen production.
For me, it works best when I apply a few drops of vitamin C serum to clean skin in the morning right before my moisturizer and SPF.
Don’t Forget to Exfoliate
Exfoliating is so important the summertime when oil, dirt, skincare products, and makeup can build-up in the pores. Feel free to exfoliate more often in the summer, (2-3 times a week is good) but don’t overdo it.
I stay away from scrubs that can scratch and damage my skin. Gentle acids, like AHAs, will open up clogged pores and remove all the gunk, but they don’t leave my skin red or irritated .
Choose Non-Comedogenic Makeup
Choosing non-comedogenic makeup is super important for me in the summertime. If your skin is acne prone like mine, check the labels on all of your makeup to ensure that it’s formulated without pore-clogging ingredients. Look for formulas with descriptions like oil-free, gel, and lightweight. Most powders are also non-comedogenic but I always check labels to make sure.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Drinking lots of water is super important for clear skin, especially in the summertime. Not only does it provide hydration from the inside out, but it also helps the skin flush out toxins that can cause breakouts and redness.
Sleep Masks are a Summertime Beauty Staple
Summer’s sun, heat, wind, and humidity can really do a number on my skin. Your skin regenerates while you sleep, and sleep masks can really make the most of this process. These summertime beauty staples are packed with active ingredients that nourish the skin while you sleep. I use them two or three times a week in place of my nighttime moisturizer to wake up with skin that’s glowing and rejuvenated, even after long hours in the sun.
Be Meticulous with Your Sunscreen
If you’re going to be out in the sun, you’ve got to wear sunscreen on all exposed skin of at least SPF 30 or higher. Sun damage leads to hyperpigmentation, fine lines, redness, and increases your risk of skin cancer later in life, and no girl wants that!
I never leave home without sunscreen, not even in the winter. But in the summer when I’m out in the sun even more, I make sure to reapply often. It’s not unusual for me to spend hours in the sun when I’m skating, which is why I also have a huge collection of dorky hats!
Take Special Care of the Skin Around Your Eyes
The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, so it needs extra TLC all year round. Eye creams are great for wintertime, but in the summer, look for an under eye gel that contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, cooling cucumber, or antioxidant and depuffing green tea. These ingredients will hydrate the area without feeling heavy or greasy.
Wrapping it Up
Summer’s blazing sun and scorching heat can be so tough on my skin. They literally suck away my skin’s natural radiance and cause dullness, oiliness, and breakouts. Following these summertime skin care tips helps me hold onto clearer, healthier skin all season long.
xoxo
