Try These Easy Skincare Tips for Summer

We all love the summer, but unfortunately, it can take a toll on your skin. Summer is the season for vacationing and outdoor activities, and is often considered the best time of the year. However, the long hot days and sun exposure can wreak havoc on your skin. Work these easy skincare tips for summer into your daily routine for a natural summer glow and better skin health.

You may not need to overhaul your spring skincare routine completely. However, some changes can help maximize your summer glow and provide sun protection. 

How Summer Affects Your Skin

Most of us imagine having tan glowing skin for the summer months but the reality is often rashes, sunburn, clogged pores, dry skin, or acne. 

During the summer months, the intensity of the heat can wreak havoc on your skin. High heat and humidity make your skin more oily, and the increased activity of the sweat glands makes breakouts more likely.  

Prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can cause skin damage in the form of premature aging of the skin in the form of fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, leathery skin, and dark spots. Even worse, sun damage exposes you to an increased risk of skin cancer. For very fair-skinned people, UV radiation becomes harmful in just 5 to 10 minutes.

If you are prone to dry skin, sun exposure can further dry out this skin type due to decreased water and essential oils. The skin can have a flaky or cracked appearance or feel tight to the touch after an extended period of time in the sun.

Face/ body products:

Summer Skincare Tips

Summer skincare goes well beyond using sunscreen. Step up your summer skin care routine with these easy tips. 

Wash Your Face Twice Per Day

While washing your face is an important part of a year-round skin care regimen, it is essential during the warm weather months. In summer, oily skin can get more oily. It is a good idea to wash your face twice per day. Begin with an oil-based cleanser to remove stubborn makeup and water-proof sunscreen. Follow with a gentle cleanser. Use a water or gel-based face wash to remove any remaining dirt and oil from the skin. Regular face washing is one of the most essential skincare tips for summer, especially if you have acne-prone skin.

Exfoliate

Sweat, dirt, and increased oil production can cause an acne flare-up. Exfoliation is crucial to smoother and brighter skin. Exfoliating once or twice per week will help remove dulling skin debris and dead skin cells. Use an exfoliator based on your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin or acne-prone skin it is better to avoid physical scrubs. Instead, use chemical skin exfoliants such as lactic acid or salicylic acid.

​Use a Good Toner

Toner is the secret ingredient in your skincare routine that brings it all together. Toner is one of my favorite skincare tips for summer. Not only does it help to remove any residual dirt, excess oil, and makeup that cleansers can miss, but it also helps balance the pH levels of your skin, which helps keep your complexion even and glowing.

But don’t stop there. Toner also acts as a delivery system for skin-loving ingredients like antioxidants and peptides that help with anti-aging, hydration, and more. When applied directly to the skin after cleansing, toner helps ensure that serums and moisturizers are better absorbed into the skin. 

Treat Your Skin to Antioxidants 

If you really want to take your summer skincare routine up a notch, incorporate skincare products that contain antioxidants. 

Antioxidants are molecules that help protect cells from environmental damage due to free radicals. In skincare products, antioxidants can help fight off the effects of UV rays, pollutants, and other environmental stressors. Plus, they help reduce inflammation and redness in the skin. Some of the most common antioxidants found in skincare products include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, green tea extract, resveratrol, and Coenzyme Q10. Antioxidants are particularly important during the summer when stronger UV rays can damage unprotected skin. This is one of the most important summer skincare tips.

Vitamin C in particular can help fade pigmentation and acne spots.

An antioxidant serum should be applied after washing your face and applying toner, and before applying moisturizer and sunscreen.

Lightweight Moisturizer

To keep your skin feeling hydrated during the sunny months, make sure you moisturize more often than usual. Invest in a good quality moisturizer that is suited for your skin type and use it daily. While heavy moisturizers are best during the winter months, lighter moisturizer is best suited for the summer months. To play it safe, consider a lightweight water-based moisturizer. A lighter-weight moisturizer allows pores to breathe and prevents clogging or excessive sweating.

Wear Sunscreen

Wearing the best sunscreen is the most obvious of these summer skin care tips, but it is surprisingly often overlooked. Before you go outside and enjoy the sunshine, make sure to reach for your sunscreen. Wearing broad-spectrum spf sunscreen isn’t just a good idea; it’s an essential step in protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays — which can cause sunburns, wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer. With a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers SPF 30 or higher, you can limit the potential damage caused by UV rays and ensure your skin stays safe all summer long. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should liberally apply sunscreen before heading out into the sun and reapply every 1 to 2 hours or after swimming or sweating — it’s the most important thing you can do to protect yourself from summer’s increased free radicals. 

Avoid Heavy Makeup

The summer season is the perfect time to give your skin a break from heavy makeup and let your natural beauty shine through! Allow your skin to breathe more freely by wearing only minimal facial makeup when needed. Not only does it make for a more comfortable day in the sun, but lighter makeup can help protect your skin from harsh UV rays. Take a close look at your makeup product labels, especially if you have skin issues, and only keep those that are non-comedogenic, a lighter and less oily alternative. Plus, you don’t have to worry as much about melting or smearing off during the hot weather! 

Wear a Hat

If you’re looking for protection against the sun this summer, donning a stylish wide-brimmed hat can be your first line of defense. While it’s true that some hats may offer more sun protection than others depending on their material and design, all hats provide at least some level of shade from the damaging rays of the sun. Hats not only protect your face and eyes from the sun’s rays, but they can also keep your head cooler in hot weather. So, if you want to make sure you’re protected while out and about this summer, don’t forget to top off your look with a stylish hat! Not only will you be staying safe from the sun’s harmful rays, but you’ll also be looking good too.

Protective Clothing

In addition to wearing a hat, protective clothing, and even swimwear can provide SPF protection. Wearing lightweight, UV-protective clothing with a tightly woven fabric can help shield exposed skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. So if you’re heading out for a picnic or a day at the beach, make sure to wear clothes that protect from the sun and help keep you safe from its rays. And don’t forget sunglasses with UV protection.

​Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated during hot humid weather is essential for maintaining your health and wellbeing. With all the outdoor activities, heat, and summer sun, it’s easy to become dehydrated if you don’t take precautions. Carry a water bottle wherever you go! Whether you’re headed out for an afternoon jog or a day at the beach, make sure you have some water with you. 

Eat plenty of hydrating foods. Fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, and tomatoes are packed with essential hydration-boosting nutrients. Opt for light yet hydrating beverages like fruit juice. Forget sodas and sugary drinks. Instead, opt for kombucha tea, or sparkling water infused with fruit juice or herbs like mint or basil. 

Use these easy summer skincare tips for healthy skin and a healthy glow all summer long.