Cold days are done and gone, and we are ready for one of our favorite times of the year: summer! If you are a lover of this season, you probably love the bright sunshine on you while you’re relaxing on the beach with a pina colada in your hand. However, not everything is fun and games, especially with our skin under the sun. That’s why we want to tell you everything about your skincare routine for summer.  

By now, you probably know already that depending on the weather and the season, your skin will have different needs. This is why it’s important to always adapt our skincare routines to the requirements of our complexion and external conditions such as winter, spring, or right now, summer. 

Summer is characterized by its heat, but besides temperature, the humidity factor is also important when making changes in your skincare routine. Hot weather and humidity can lead to sweat-induced clogged pores. Actually, acne breakouts are the most popular issue that people have in summer, especially those with oily skin.   

Every time you expose your skin to the sun without protection, melanin production increases to protect your skin from sun damage. However, the excess of melanin can result in darker or dark spots on your skin with other problems like itchy skin, prickly heat, sunburns, and rashes.   

So, to avoid this and protect your skin, here are the best recommendations to follow to create an adequate skin care routine to keep a healthy complexion this summer: 

NUMBER 1 RULE FOR THE SUMMER: USE SUNSCREEN 

Before getting any other specific –and even expensive- product, sunscreen is the one as important as brushing your teeth in the morning. SPF is mandatory all year long, but especially in the summer when the days are longer and you spend more time outside in the sun.   

Elizabeth Mullans, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, explains that when you don’t protect your skin from the sun, “your skin will age faster and increase your risk of skin cancer.” According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, using SPF every day can reduce the risk of developing melanoma by 50% and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by 40%.  

It’s important to choose a sunscreen that has “broad spectrum” on the bottle. This means it will protect you from UVA and UVB rays (both contribute to skin cancer development). Make sure to apply SPF on all exposed skin, including hands, feet, ears, and lips, and remember to reapply every 2 hours. 

Even though this is the most important recommendation for your skincare routine, remember that sunscreen is the last step, and it goes before makeup. You can use a spray or powder version to reapply without ruining your final look.

And for extra protection, you can also wear UPF clothes and accessories to cover your skin, especially from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm when radiation is higher. Also, there are supplements for UV protection to prevent sunburn. 

CLEANSE YOUR FACE 

If you’re hot, you will probably want to wash your face every hour to freshen yourself up. It doesn’t matter how tempting it is, don’t over-wash it! Barry Goldman, MD, an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist, explains that “your body makes natural moisturizing factors that hold water in the skin […] When you wash those away, the top of the skin can be dehydrated”.  

As a general rule, you should wash your face 2 times a day with a gentle cleanser with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to unclog your pores and kill bacteria that can produce acne. Also, make sure that your product is alcohol-free and pH-balanced.  

Take short baths/showers and try only to do it once daily. Use lukewarm water and always follow with a moisturizer to lock in the moisture in your skin. 

KEEP USING MOISTURIZER 

Even though the summer is not as dry as the winter, your skin can still dehydrate in humid weather due to excess sweating, causing your skin to lose moisture. The trick is to use a lightweight formula containing humectants to help your skin lock in moisture. Look for products that have hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, vitamin A, vitamin C, or aloe vera.  

Ariel Ostad, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York City, explains that "moisturizers reestablish the stratum corneum, your outermost layer of the skin, which protects from harmful pollutants and chemicals and prevents further irritation or dryness."   

Water-based moisturizers are an excellent option for all skin types, and if you want to boost the benefits of hydrating your skin, you can find a product with SPF for an extra layer of protection.   

At night, use gel moisturizers with cooling properties to restore your skin's barrier. Always look for lightweight products because heavy ones can clog your pores and lead to inflammation and acne. 

MAKEUP: LESS IS MORE 

During the summer, every product you use can feel like heavy layers on your skin, including makeup. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear makeup; it means you should choose the appropriate quantity and the right products to be your allies and not your enemies.  

When selecting your makeup products, make sure they are noncomedogenic. These options will be gentler with your skin and prevent your pores from clogging. When you mix the regular heavy makeup products with humidity, you will probably end up with that cakey look we know you want to avoid.  

To avoid this finish, use lightweight makeup that lets your skin breathe. Instead of powder products, switch to creamy ones like tints for lips and cheeks and tinted moisturizers. 

EXFOLIATE YOUR SKIN TWICE EVERY WEEK 

It’s important that you deep clean your skin from residual matter that the everyday products you use can leave on it. The best way to do this is by exfoliation. What to keep in mind? Do it only twice a week and ensure not to irritate or damage your skin’s barrier.   

If you’re sunburned, avoid exfoliating at all costs since it can irritate your skin more and delay your healing process. Instead, let your skin heal on its own.  

Another consideration you should consider is always using gentle exfoliators, especially on your face. You make your own at home using natural ingredients such as oats and beauty oils.  

Regular exfoliation will help your skin to have a better complexion, unclog the pores and reduce blemishes. Tip: always moisturize your skin after a deep cleaning. 

With these recommendations, you are more than ready to have the best summer ever and keep your skin healthy and protected for the next season.