Your Summer Skincare Guide

Whether you’re fifteen or fifty, there’s something about summer that brings out the same excitement in you as a kid leaving for summer vacation – whether you have a trip planned or not!

The extreme climate shift from spring to summer in many places can leave your skin feeling dry, chapped, or sunburned. Thankfully, we have your guide to how to best care for your skin this summer.

8 Summer Skincare Tips and Tricks

Summer Skincare Tip #1 – Moisturize

Keeping your face moisturized is perhaps the most important thing you can do to achieve healthy skin this summer. The summer heat tends to dry our faces out, so applying moisturizer works to combat that dryness. In the summer, consider switching to a moisturizer that also has SPF of at least 30 or higher. Similar to sunscreen, we recommend applying every couple of hours to protect your skin. For the summer months, we also recommend looking for a more lightweight daily moisturizer, as thicker products tend to clog pores, especially when it’s combined with oil or the summer heat.

Summer Skincare Tip #2 – Apply Sunscreen, Reapply, then Reapply Again

While we might sound like a broken record, applying sunscreen is the single most important thing you can do to prevent sun damage on your skin. While we recommended in tip #1 to look for a dual moisturizer that contains SPF, it’s important to also apply a face sunscreen when you are spending any extended amount of time in the sun. Check out this article that gives you plenty of options when choosing a face sunscreen.

Summer Skincare Tip #3 – Invest in a Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C has so many great benefits – it can soften rough spots and scars, giving your skin a brighter appearance. Additionally, it can help with collagen production and it can improve the appearance of fine lines. Lastly, Vitamin C is especially great in the summer, as it can help block the negative effects of the sun’s rays, including hyperpigmentation.

Apply Vitamin C serum after cleansing but before moisturizing by applying a few drops to your palm and lightly guiding onto your face.

Summer Skincare Tip #4 – Apply Less Makeup

Many tend to wear less makeup in the summer months anyway, but we recommend making an intentional effort to apply less products during this season. You’ll have a natural glow anyway, hunny! Applying many products (such as foundation, concealer, etc.) can lead to more breakouts or skin irritation as the product combines with sweat and your body’s natural oils. When applying makeup this summer, opt for more lightweight products. Shed that extra layer of makeup just like you’re shedding those layers, baby!

Summer Skincare Tip #5 – Skimp On Shower Time

While summer means more sweating, sunscreen, and pool days that may lead you to hit the showers more often, we recommend keeping your time in the tub shorter, about five minutes max. By spending more time in your shower, you are drying out your skin, which can lead to skin irritation, inflammation, and even summertime eczema. And while it may feel nice to have a  steamy shower sesh after a long day, we recommend washing with warm or even cool water, as hot water dries out your skin even more.

Summer Skincare Tip #6 – Exfoliate

Exfoliation is especially important in the summer as you should be applying lots of sunscreen (see skincare tip #2!) which can do a number on your pores. Exfoliation removes sweat, SPF, and oil and can unclog those pores. It can also help to reduce blemishes. We recommend exfoliating a couple of times a week in the summer. To try, apply a scrub and use circular motions (either with your hands or some sort of brush or other exfoliation tool) for about 30 seconds. Rinse off with water then continue with your nighttime skincare routine.

Note: It’s important to not exfoliate on skin that is sunburned or has any cuts or other burns on it.

Summer Skincare Tip #7 – Drink Up, Buttercup

While this may not seem like a skincare tip, drinking water can lead to a brighter complexion and can help prevent your skin from feeling as dry during the summer months. It’s the best thing you can do for your skin to keep it moisturized besides applying moisturizer itself!

For those that don’t like to guzzle H20, load up your waters with lemon, or opt for a Sodastream that you can add fruit like strawberries or blueberries for added flavor. And the best way I found to add to my overall water intake? I keep a bottle of water on my nightstand and try my best to finish the entire bottle before I get up to start my day!

Summer Skincare Tip #8 – Cleanse

While it’s always important to cleanse your face and remove all your makeup as part of your nighttime skincare routine (see our post from earlier this year!) it’s especially important during the summer when there may be extra chlorine from the pool, oils from sunscreen, and sweat from the summer heat on your face. The first step before cleansing is to remove all of your makeup with a makeup remover. Skindinavia has a makeup remover spray that breaks down your makeup and allows you to easily wipe away even the strongest waterproof products! It’s also infused with Vitamin E, has a water-free formulation, is hypoallergenic, and is oil and paraben-free. Make sure to cleanse your face after by applying a generous amount of cleanser and washing your face until it feels fresh and clean!