Now that summer has finally arrived it’s time to re-think my skincare routine. Although it is tempting to feel the warm sun on my bare face It’s not the wisest thing to do. Sunburn, spots and oily skin can affect me if I’m not careful, but finding a good summer regimen with all the right products can be confusing.
So, what should be summer skin care essentials and what should you leave at home?
Sunscreen
By far the most essential skincare item in your summer kit is sunscreen. Whether it’s mineral, chemical, tinted, or cream, it doesn’t matter as long as you use it regularly and reapply. I can’t stress this enough, there is no compromise with SPF. You have two choices: not use it and risk sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles, or use it. Simple!
Even if you don’t feel the sting of harmful rays, they still penetrate deeply and, over time, can cause irreversible damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.
We all love a sun tan but the damage it causes to our skin is not worth it. You can still gain colour whilst using sunscreen but it is slower. If this is something you don’t want to compromise on then try a fake tan which will last several days or use a tinted sunscreen.
The La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Hydrating tinted cream spf50+ has been my go-to for several years now. It’s extremely lightweight, offers excellent protection and never clogs my pores.
In fact, I would happily recommend any of the sunscreens from the La Roche Posay range. They have several different types from creams to light fluids and sprays. All their products are made for sensitive skin and are water, sweat and sand resistant. They are dermatologically tested and include several innovative aspects that help protect your skin against ultra-long UVA and pigmentation. Best of all, they work brilliantly on their own or under make-up.
If like me you don’t want to wear a lot of make-up in the summer then the tinted version is perfect for a little coverage and glow alongside a good moisturising lipstick and your favourite mascara.
One of the most confusing elements to me though has always been whether I should use a mineral or chemical sunscreen and what this even means.
Well, mineral sunscreen forms a barrier on the surface of your skin which reflects UVA and UVB rays. A chemical sunscreen does the opposite and uses a chemical reaction to absorb rays and convert them into non-damaging heat.
So which is better? Both provide excellent protection so it depends more on your needs. Mineral sunscreens are better for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin, whilst chemical sunscreens are more resistant to sweat and water. My advice is to have both on hand so you can choose depending on whether you’re chilling in the garden or swimming in the sea.
Tips:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF30 or above and look for non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog your pores. (This basically means it includes ingredients that are less likely to clog up your skin).
- You must reapply your sunscreen every few hours, especially after extreme sweating and swimming.
Other recommendations:
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry-touch Suscreen broadspectrum SPF 55
This sunscreen is lightweight, fast absorbing and non-comedogenic with very high protection.
- Ultrasun UV Face and Scalp Mist SPF 50
Super lightweight, non-greasy and suitable for sensitive skin. I particularly like the fact that this mist can be used over your make-up which gives you no excuses to re-apply it.
Stay Hydrated
This might seem like a strange thing to have in a summer skincare essentials list but don’t underestimate the power of hydration.
We all know we need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated in the sun to prevent dehydration. This is especially important when temperatures are high causing us to sweat a lot. Your body needs you to replenish the fluids it’s lost and this massively affects your skin.
I’m sure we’ve all experienced that horrible tight feeling on your face when you’ve had a little too much sun and this is usually down to a lack of sun protection and a lack of hydration.
For your skin to stay looking its best and to fight the signs of ageing especially wrinkles we need to protect it in any way we can, and the water you’re drinking to prevent dehydration will help protect your skin.
Tips:
- Other ways you can help your skin is by using hydrating moisturisers with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid. CeraVe Moisturising Cream or The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors +HA are very lightweight and really good options.
- Always keep a water bottle handy, eat a nutritious diet and consider supplements like magnesium.
- Always use your moisturiser before applying your sunscreen. Sunscreen should always be the last step in your skincare routine so your skin can take in all the hydration and nourishment it needs first.
Soothe Your Skin
As your skin loses moisture faster than you can say “ice cream,” you’ll also need external hydration. A daily moisturiser is going to be your best friend on sunny beach days but it’s also worth adding a tube of aloe vera gel or after sun to your suitcase.
With its soothing properties, aloe vera is excellent for calming sunburnt and irritated skin. You can use a pure aloe gel or try products like Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% soothing gel. La Roche Posay and most other sunscreen brands will usually have their own after-sun products which nearly always include aloe vera.
Tips:
- For a really soothing effect keep your after-sun or aloe vera in the fridge when you’re not using it.
- Don’t wait until you’re sunburnt to use it, anytime you’ve been in the sun for a prolonged time your skin will be feeling thirsty so feel free to be a little heavy-handed with the gel or a really good moisturiser and body lotion after.
Exfoliate Away the Old, Embrace the New
To achieve radiant, glowing skin, you’ll need to exfoliate away the old layers. Summer brings sweat and grime which can clog pores and dull your complexion. The summer sun can be a big problem for anyone with dry flakey skin and also for those who suffer from excess oil.
To counteract this you’ll need to use a mild exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth. There are lots available now with natural ingredients like beads or rice powder.
Products like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution or Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2%BHA liquid are gentle but effective choices.
Tips:
- Always use moisturiser after you exfoliate. When you remove dead skin cells you will also remove moisture which will need replacing.
- If you have oily skin don’t be tempted to over-exfoliate. Believe it or not, producing excess oil is one of your skin’s defences which kicks in when it thinks there’s not enough moisture available. Stick to a simple routine, cleanse and moisturise and only exfoliate once or twice a week.
Vitamin C
We all know that taking a Vitamin C supplement or eating fruit and veg high in this vitamin is good for us, but did you know it’s also super good for our skin? Its anti-ageing and antioxidant properties help to brighten skin, fight dark sports and can firm the skin by stimulating collagen production which is needed to keep the skin’s elasticity.
In the summer, we’re exposed to more harmful radiation and free radicals than at other times of the year but Vitamin C can help eliminate sunspots, reduce redness, hydrate the skin, and protect against UV damage.
A good daily moisturiser I recommend is ‘The Inkey List Vitamin B C and E Moisturiser’. It’s extremely lightweight, suitable for sensitive skin and combats dryness as well as helping oil-prone skin. It also sits well under sunscreen and makeup which is vital to lovely smooth summer skin.
I love that this one has several different ingredients included which means I’m helping my skin in lots of different ways compared to just a Vitamin C moisturiser on its own. It also means I can use less products in my daily routine.
Tips:
- Look for moisturisers or serums that include Vitamin C to boost the effectiveness of your daily routine.
- Some products that include Vitamin C are highly acidic which can irritate, especially in the sun. Choose products with low acidity or apply your vitamin C well before using sunscreen and going out into sunlight. Alternatively, use it at night time.
Oil-Control Products
Excess oil in the summer is inevitable, the heat and sweat can confuse your skin leaving it somewhere between tight and dry to moist and shiny.
The best way to combat this is to use oil-free or gel-based moisturisers, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel or Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion are great options that will leave your skin fresh but not too greasy.
I know you want to look your best during the summer or when on holiday but try not to overload your skin with make-up and stick to lightweight foundations or BB creams. Let your natural beauty shine through, glowy, minimal make-up always looks better in the summer.
It may seem counterproductive but the more moisturised and nourished your skin is the less oily it will be. If it’s dehydrated it will produce more oil to try and resolve this.
Tips:
- Use products that contain Niacinamide
- Try the double cleansing method
- Exfoliate with AHA and BHA acids
- Avoiding pore-clogging ingredients
- Exfoliate once or twice a week.
These tips will help your skin stay fresh and shine-free. If oiliness is still a problem you could try using setting powder or blotting sheets which are easy to keep in your handbag and apply as and when needed.
Double Cleanse
Double Cleansing is the new buzzword in the skincare world but it does have some benefits for certain skin types. If you wear a lot of makeup or suffer from difficult acne or oil-prone skin then it’s worth trying a double cleanse. The idea is to use a balm or oil-based cleanser as your first step to remove make-up and sunscreen then follow up with your usual lightweight cleanser. This works well to gently and thoroughly remove make-up and dirt without any harsh rubbing.
You could argue that we all need to double cleanse in the summer if we apply our sunscreen each day like I know you will! With the additional make-up and sweat, it makes sense to clean our faces more thoroughly at this time of year.
Tips:
- Rub the cleansing oil or balm in for around 30 seconds so it emulsifies and works better to remove dirt.
- Try a lightweight Foam Cleanser or Micellar Water as your second cleanse so you are not stripping away any of the natural moisture from your skin.
- If you find your skin is getting very dry after a double cleanse, stop! Not all skin types will need this and sometimes a good cleanse once is all you need.
Protect Your Lips
How often do we forget about our lips when taking care of our faces? I know I’m guilty of neglecting them and then wondering why they are so dry at the end of the day.
Dry, cracked lips are common in the summer as they can get dehydrated just like the rest of your face. Use a hydrating lip balm with SPF to protect them from harmful rays and keep them soft and supple. A couple of great lip balms for the summer are Burts Bees All-Weather SPF 15 Lip Balm or Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm.
Tips:
- Stay away from Matte lipsticks in the summer they will only dry your lips out more, Stick to nourishing and moisturising lipsticks, oils or glosses.
- Don’t worry too much if your lip balm doesn’t have any SPF in it, any lip balm is better than none.
- Reapply, Reapply, Reapply. Once a day is not enough, keep a few lip balms in all your handbags and beside your bed so you can grab them whenever you need them.
Face Mists
There are a few different benefits to using face mists. Firstly, they help to set your make-up and secondly, they can provide much-needed moisture to your skin throughout the day.
They have an instant cooling effect in the humidity and refresh your skin making it look soft and dewy. There are so many available now we are spoilt for choice with tons of gorgeous scents and nourishing ingredients like Aloe Vera or Rosewater.
When looking for a facial mist try to find one that includes the following ingredients:
- Cucumber: Hydrates deeply with its high water content.
- Rosewater: Soothes irritated skin with its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Green tea: Protects collagen fibres and supports skin firmness.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir is one of the bestsellers and for good reason. The combination of Green grapes and Orange blossoms hydrate your skin and make it look radiant as well as smell amazing. This is a firm favourite with make-up artists and well worth the higher price tag if you can afford it.
Tips:
- Avoid mists with alcohol, perfumes, and other irritants.
- Keep your mist in your bag so you can reapply it as and when you need it.
Other ways to help your skin during the summer
Sleep Your Way to Glowing Skin
We all know a good night’s sleep is good for our bodies and brains but did you know it’s also vital to the health of our skin? The time when you are asleep is when your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself, which is essential if you want to fight the signs of ageing.
Try and keep to a good sleep routine and do relaxing activities like yoga or meditation to help you get a deep sleep.
Face Masks
Face masks don’t need to be expensive shop – bought products, it’s incredibly easy to make your own at home with natural ingredients that will nourish and revitalise your skin.
Try a cooling cucumber and yoghurt mask to soothe sun-exposed skin, or a honey and oatmeal mask to provide hydration and gentle exfoliation.
Do a little research and be mindful of the ingredients you choose and never put anything acidic on your skin, especially lemon, even if TikTok tells you to!
Protect your Eyes
Most of us protect our eyes without thinking about it as we tend to be suckers for trendy sunglasses but they are more than a fashion item. If you can, wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes from harmful rays and prevent squinting which can accelerate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Limit Sun Exposure
We are used to being told to stay out of the sun between 11 am and 2 pm but with climate changes the sun is getting stronger and the window of time that you can get serious sun damage is much longer. It’s best to avoid prolonged time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. If you can, stay in the shade and cover up with umbrellas, hats and beach coverings that will reduce direct sun exposure.
Nobody can deny a summer tan looks amazing but the damage to your skin is not worth it in the long run. With so many amazing fake tans around there’s no need to take the risk. I am definitely using the fake tan and sitting in the shade instead, youthful and line-free skin is way more attractive than a tan.
What not to use
- Retinols or acids. These are great for anti-ageing, healing blemishes and renewing your skin but they can be very harsh and need to be used in small and controlled doses. In the summer your skin has a lot to deal with and the additional use of these harsh chemicals could cause lasting damage. If you can, step away from them over the summer months.
- Too many Exfoliants. There’s a theme here, do you see it? The message is, to be gentle to your skin. Over-exfoliating is going to leave your skin susceptible to sun damage and skin conditions as it fights to stay healthy under harsh conditions.
- Harsh Chemicals: Some products outside of retinols can have high pH which is acidic on your skin. If you know you will be spending a lot of time in the sun check the ingredients on your skincare products and ensure anything too acidic stays in your cupboard. Try to stick with nourishing and natural ingredients, your skin will thank you later.
FAQ’s
Do I only need to use sunscreen when it’s sunny?
No, this is absolutely not true. The sun’s rays are very strong and can still affect your skin even on a cloudy day. It’s a good rule to apply sunscreen every day, all year round.
Do only people with pale skin need to wear sunscreen?
No matter what your skin tone is everyone is susceptible to harmful rays and sun damage and needs to protect themselves against the sun.
Is the sun good for acne-prone skin?
Initially, the sun may be good for your acne and temporarily improve it. Afterwards, however, you may experience a rebound effect as the sun encourages the skin to thicken which will block your pores and cause more spots. UV rays will also cause your acne to scar more rapidly.
The secret to stunning summer skin isn’t expensive products but having the essentials. Listen to your skin’s needs and adjust your routine accordingly. These tips will help you maintain healthy, radiant skin so you can glow all season long!
