It’s almost that time of the year (again) when coats and jackets are replaced by light, breezy dresses, boots are swapped with open-toe sandals, and cold coffee takes the space of hot coffee (for many people). However, one thing that quite a lot of people miss out is that summer also calls for some changes in our skincare routine.
As shines brighter than ever and humidity increases, your skin requires a little extra care to stay healthy and happy. Here are some essential skincare tips for summers that everyone must follow:
1. Use Lighter Products
Just like you don’t wear heavy winter clothes during summer, you shouldn’t be using the same thick, heavy skincare products as well. Choose products that are light on your skin, so it can breathe. Swap your deep-nourishing facewash with one that can remove excess oil from your skin. Exchange your thick cream moisturizer with a water or gel-based one that’s hydrating but not too heavy.
Wait, do you need moisturizer in the summer as well? This brings us to our next tip…
2. Do Not Ditch Your Moisturizer
You may think you don’t need moisturizer in the hot weather as your skin is already producing too much oil. But, that’s not true. The scorching sun can strip moisture from your skin, leaving it dry, patchy, or flaky. Therefore, you should continue to apply moisturizer on your skin even during the summers – just switch it up.
Choose a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer and apply it on your face, neck, and hands after your morning and evening routine even if it’s blazing hot outside.
3. Remember, Sunscreen is Always Your Best Friend
You must have heard, come rain or shine, or even snow, you should always wear sunscreen. Unlike many other skincare advices you generally find on the internet, this one is absolutely right.
While sunscreen should be used throughout the year, if there is any time you need sun protection the most, it’s during the summer, for obvious reasons. Sun shines the brightest and UV rays are the strongest during this season. And with all those beach and pool parties, you’re likely to be spending a lot of time under the sun. Without sunscreen, the sun will wreak havoc on your skin.
So, don’t step out without sunscreen thinking the sun will give you a nice tan. Sunscreen is indispensable to keeping your skin healthy, all year round, but more so in the summer. Get yourself a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF anywhere from 30 to 70, depending on how harsh the weather (sun) is where you live.
Important: Make sure to apply sunscreen 15 minutes prior to stepping out in the sun and continue to reapply it throughout the day. There are varying advices on how often sunscreen should be reapplied, but John Hopkins Medicine recommends reapplication every two hours.
4. Invest in a Good Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is great for your skin and can be used year-round. But, its importance in your skincare routine increases multifold during the summer. In addition to boosting collagen production, vitamin C helps prevent hyperpigmentation, get rid of sunspots, and even out skin tone. Research has also shown that vitamin C also works to protect your skin from sun damage.
However, this does not in any way mean that if you’re using vitamin C, you can skip sunscreen.
Sunscreen is non-negotiable. But, with vitamin C in your summer skincare routine, you’ll be getting additional protection from the scorching sun.
In case you’re wondering, if vitamin C serum should be applied before moisturizer or after it, refer to my post on How to Create the Perfect Daily Skincare Routine to learn in what order different skincare products should go.
5. Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Hydration is the key to keeping your skin healthy, plump, soft, and smooth. Just like your body, your skin needs hydration to be at its best. Know that already? So, let’s do the real talk; how to keep your skin hydrated in the summer?
Skin hydration goes beyond applying hydrating moisturizer on your face. Incorporate other hydrating ingredients into your skincare routine, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, and ceramides. Drink plenty of water and, despite what most people would tell you, use a humidifier, especially if you keep the air conditioner on full blast round the clock. You can also carry a facial mist to continue to replenish your skin’s moisture throughout the day.
6. Don’t Forget Your Body
When it comes to skincare, a significantly large number of people tend to to ignore or overlook their bodies. Your face inarguably deserves the most attention, however, skincare extends beyond it well. In order to have real healthy skin, you need to give at least some attention to your body as well.
In terms of summer skincare, your body also needs to be hydrated and moisturized and all exposed parts of the body need to be protected with sunscreen. Stay away from itchy, unbreathable fabrics and tight clothes. Wear light, soft, and breathable fabrics.
The Sum Up
Summer season calls for a few changes in your lifestyle, including skin care. You don’t need to create an entirely new skincare routine, you just need to make a few swaps. Summer skincare may sound daunting, but it’s not. The key is to keeping your skin clean, hydrated, and protected from sun. Remember the tips discussed above for a good basic summer skincare routine. You can always build upon it, depending on your specific concerns and needs.
Add Comment