Building your summer skincare routine
Looking to avoid breakouts and minimize sun damage all summer long? With summer weather comes humidity. So it’s best to switch to lighter skincare formulas. Here are some tips for your summer skincare routine.
Cleansers that feel refreshing
If you’ve been using an oil cleanser or cleansing balm, you might want to try a gentle foaming cleanser instead. After a long, sweaty day you can wash off all that dirt, debris, and sunscreen and feel light and refreshed.
This isn’t the most crucial part of your routine to change as your cleanser isn’t on your skin for very long. But the feeling of the cleanser still makes a difference by offering relief on the hottest days.
Remember to wear sunscreen
This shouldn’t be anything new to your skincare routine. Sunscreen is a necessity year-round.
Whether chemical or mineral sunscreen, go for broad-spectrum protection and at least SPF 30. Be sure to apply sunscreen to all of your exposed skin. Don’t forget the backs of your hands and your ears.
Wearing lightweight makeup and less of it also makes it easier to reapply your sunscreen as needed throughout the day.
Be careful with chemical exfoliants
We love chemical exfoliants. They leave your skin smooth, glowing, and many of them (including lactic acid and mandelic acid) are suitable for sensitive skin.
Just be mindful of when you use them. If retinol was a staple of your routine over the winter, try using less or a lower concentration to protect your skin from sun damage. You can also opt for an AHA instead.
Carefully follow the directions on your skincare products. Some exfoliants should only be used at night since they make you photosensitive (or more susceptible to sun damage). You’ll also notice reminders to wear sunscreen when using these products.
Stay hydrated
We all know how important it is to drink water on a hot day. You also need to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized during the hottest months of the year despite the humidity. Lightweight serums with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid work well for just that purpose.
Seal in your hydrating products with a light moisturizer that has a gel or lotion-like feel instead of a heavier cream consistency. Once you’ve got on your SPF, you’re good to go.
Follow these tips for your summer skincare routine, and your skin should be happy and healthy all summer long.
