The Complete Guide to Skincare in the Summer
As the summer months roll in, our skincare needs to shift just as the weather does. Warmer temperatures, increased sun exposure, and humidity require a revamped approach to keep your skin healthy and glowing. A well-rounded summer skincare routine, including using a moisturizer with sunscreen, ensures that you’re protecting your skin from harmful UV rays while keeping it hydrated and balanced. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential summer skincare tips and help you tailor your regimen for optimal skin health.
Why is summer skincare different from other seasons? The summer sun can be both a blessing and a curse for your skin. On the one hand, it provides essential vitamin D, but on the other hand, it can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer.1 Moreover, heat and humidity can exacerbate oily skin and cause breakouts, while air conditioning can dry out your skin. Therefore, adjusting your skincare routine for the summer is crucial to maintaining healthy skin.
Simplifying Your Summer Skincare Routine
Adapting your skincare routine for the summer is key to maintaining healthy skin. During these warmer months, the key is to opt for lighter, breathable products that won’t clog your pores or make your skin feel greasy. Here are some essential steps to consider:
Essential Steps in Your Summer Skincare Routine
1. Start with a Hydrating Cleanser
A hydrating cleanser is the foundation of any summer skincare routine. It’s important to choose a gentle cleanser that maintains your skin’s natural oils while effectively removing dirt, sweat, and impurities. This step ensures your skin is clean without being stripped of essential moisture.
Why is this step so important? During summer, our skin is exposed to higher levels of pollution, sweat, and sunscreen residues. A hydrating cleanser not only cleanses but also prepares your skin for the subsequent steps in your skincare routine.
2. Incorporate a Hydrating Toner
After cleansing, a hydrating toner can restore your skin’s pH balance and provide a boost of lightweight moisture. Look for toners that contain ingredients like Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid to soothe and hydrate your skin.2
Toners are often overlooked, but they play a central role in prepping your skin to absorb the products that follow. In the summer, a hydrating toner helps to keep your skin refreshed and balanced, which is especially beneficial if you have oily skin.
3. Apply a Hydrating Serum
Serums are powerhouses of skincare, delivering concentrated ingredients directly to your skin. For summer, a hydrating serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides can lock in moisture and keep your skin plump. Learn more about how to apply serum on your face to maximize its benefits.
A serum is particularly beneficial in summer because it provides deep hydration without the heaviness of a cream. Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid attract moisture to the skin, while Ceramides help to retain it. This combination ensures that your skin stays hydrated and healthy, even in the heat.
4. Use a Lightweight Moisturizer
When it comes to moisturizers in the summer, the lighter, the better. Opt for water-based moisturizers that provide hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. A moisturizer with sunscreen can simplify your routine while ensuring you’re protected from the sun.
Lightweight moisturizers are perfect for summer because they hydrate your skin without clogging pores. Look for ingredients like Glycerin and Squalane, which hydrate and protect your skin. A moisturizer with sunscreen is a great choice, as it provides the added benefit of UV protection.
5. Always Finish with Sunscreen
Sunscreen is non-negotiable in any skincare routine, especially in the summer. Choose a high-SPF sunscreen to shield your skin from harmful UV rays and prevent sun damage. Remember to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. For more details, check out our guide on how often you should reapply sunscreen.
Sunscreen is your best defense against skin cancer and premature aging. It’s important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Reapplying sunscreen is crucial, especially if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors.
Tailoring Skincare to Different Skin Types
Not all skin types react the same to summer conditions, so it's important to customize your skincare steps accordingly.
Oily Skin
For those with oily skin, summer can exacerbate shine and breakouts. Opt for oil-free, non-comedogenic products for your summer skincare routine for oily skin, and consider incorporating salicylic acid to keep pores clear.
Oily skin can be challenging in the summer. Using a gentle, foaming cleanser can help control excess oil without stripping your skin. Salicylic Acid is particularly effective for oily skin as it penetrates deep into the pores to clear out excess oil and debris.
Dry Skin
Dry skin can still become dehydrated in summer. Focus on hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter to maintain moisture levels and protect against the sun.
Even if you have dry skin, it’s important to keep it hydrated in the summer. Look for products that contain Hyaluronic Acid, which attracts moisture to the skin, and Shea Butter, which provides a protective barrier to lock in hydration.
Combination Skin
Balancing different areas of combination skin can be tricky. Use lightweight, hydrating products on dry areas and oil-controlling products on oily zones.
Combination skin requires a bit of extra care. You may need to use different products on different parts of your face. For example, use a mattifying toner on your T-zone and a hydrating serum on your cheeks.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin can be more reactive in the summer. Stick to soothing, fragrance-free products and always test new products on a small area first.
If you have sensitive skin, look for products with calming ingredients like Aloe Vera and Chamomile. Avoid products with alcohol or fragrance, which can irritate your skin.
Addressing Summer Skin Challenges
Summer brings its own set of skincare challenges. Here’s how to tackle some common issues:
Increased Oiliness
To manage excess oil, incorporate lightweight, mattifying products and avoid heavy creams. Regularly exfoliate to keep pores clear and reduce shine.
If you have oily skin, use an oil-free, mattifying moisturizer to control shine. Exfoliate regularly with a gentle scrub or an exfoliating toner to keep your pores clear and your skin smooth.
Dehydration
Even oily skin can become dehydrated. Hydrating serums and lightweight moisturizers help maintain moisture without clogging pores.
Hydration is key, even for oily skin. Use a hydrating serum with Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin plump and moisturized. Follow up with a lightweight moisturizer to lock in hydration without adding extra oil.
Sunburn
Prevention is key, but if you do get sunburned, soothe your skin with products containing Aloe Vera and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
If you get sunburned, apply a soothing Aloe Vera gel to calm your skin and reduce inflammation. Avoid exfoliating or using active ingredients like Retinol until your skin has healed.3
Special Considerations for Summer Skincare
Traveling or experiencing extreme weather changes can impact your skin. Here’s how to keep your skin in top shape no matter where you are:
Traveling
Pack travel-sized versions of your skincare staples and adjust your routine to the climate of your destination. Focus on hydration and sun protection.
When traveling, it’s important to stick to your skincare routine as much as possible. Pack travel-sized versions of your favorite products and consider the climate of your destination. If you’re traveling to a hot, humid place, focus on lightweight, hydrating products. If you’re going to a dry, cold place, make sure to pack rich, moisturizing products.
Transitioning Routines
As you transition from spring to summer, gradually swap out heavier products for lighter ones. On the hottest days, keep your routine minimal and cooling.
Transitioning your skincare routine from one season to another can help your skin adapt to the changing weather. In the spring, you might use richer, more hydrating products. As summer approaches, gradually switch to lighter, more breathable products. On particularly hot days, keep your routine minimal and focus on keeping your skin cool and hydrated.
When it comes to choosing the right products, COOLA offers a range of tanning oils, lotions, and sunscreens designed for optimal skin protection and health. COOLA’s products are made with organic ingredients, ensuring your skin receives the best care while being environmentally conscious. Opt for COOLA to experience luxury in clean beauty.
Wrapping Up Your Summer Skincare Routine
Mastering your summer skincare routine is all about understanding your skin’s needs and adjusting your products accordingly. By incorporating hydrating, lightweight, and protective products, you can keep your skin healthy and glowing all summer long. Don’t forget the essentials: cleanse, tone, hydrate, moisturize, and protect with sunscreen. Tailor these steps to your specific skin type and address any challenges that arise. With the right approach and innovative, organic skincare products like those from COOLA, your skin will thank you all season long.
Sources:
- Chowdhry, Tina. "The Sunshine Vitamin and Your Skin." Henry Ford Health, 13 July 2020, https://www.henryford.com/blog/2020/07/the-sunshine-vitamin-and-your-skin
- Juncan, Anca Maria et al. “Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid and Its Combination with Other Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmeceuticals.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 26,15 4429. 22 Jul. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26154429
- "How to Treat Sunburn." American Academy of Dermatology, 2021, https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-sunburn
