8 Tips for Summertime Skin
Beauty therapists spend summers underneath the same sun as the rest of us, but somehow their skin manages to stay clear and glowing all season long. Sure, it's part of the job description, but even the professionals have to work a bit harder to prevent breakouts and minimize sun damage during the summer months.
Warm weather brings a whole slew of skin-care challenges and questions like, "Do I really have to moisturize even if it's 35 degrees out and my face feels oily?” (Spoiler alert: Yes.) Luckily, we can help you know exactly how to face summer — pun intended — head-on. A solid routine should be applicable to all seasons and all climates, with that said, there are a couple of changes one might consider when transitioning from winter to summer.
1. SPF, SPF, SPF.
It's the most important, fundamental, don't-leave-home-without-it tip: Wear sunscreen. Each of our experts recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin. Don't forget about hands, feet, ears, and lips.
Even though it's our first tip on this list, make sure sunscreen is the last step in your skin-care routine. It is also important to note that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours, so make sure to pack extra sunscreen for long summer days outdoors. That means half a teaspoon for your face and neck and a full teaspoon per limb at first and again when reapplying. Pro tip: Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to reapply.
For a day in the sun, we recommend Coola Sunscreen Products. Their products are antioxidant-enriched, reef-friendly, vegan and cruelty-free. They have a strong farm to face policy and use sustainably sourced, certified organic and non-GMO ingredients. Their products also harness the power of plant cell actives to nourish and support healthy skin. Better for you and better for the environment.
2. Lighten up your skin-care routine.
If you're not wearing a winter coat, why should your skin? In the summer, just like your wardrobe, your skin-care routine may need to be a little more lightweight. The heat and humidity of summer means you can swap out a heavier cleanser (think cream or oil cleanser) in favour of a gentle, foaming option.
We love the Ultra Balancing Gel Cleanser, which is a light lathering, gel cleanser formulated to thoroughly cleanse and remove surface impurities and makeup without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance.
3. Adopt a dual-purpose moisturizer.
To help lighten things up, you could consider switching to a combination moisturizer and sunscreen during the summer. A lightweight moisturizer with SPF of 30 or higher may be plenty for most people, as long as you're applying a generous amount and reapplying every couple of hours, as with a regular sunscreen. Thicker moisturizers can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and acne; especially if you have acne-prone or oily skin, losing one skin-care step with a combination moisturizer/SPF can help keep skin clear.
4. But don't stop moisturising completely.
That extra layer of sweat on your face does not count as a moisturizer. Despite the weather being hot and humid, you still need to moisturize. Even if your skin already feels oily, you should always follow cleansing with a moisturizer. Moisturizers reestablish the stratum corneum, your outermost layer of the skin, which protects from harmful pollutants and chemicals and prevents further irritation or dryness. This is where that combination moisturizer/SPF comes in: Thanks to its lightweight texture, it will help keep that outer layer nourished without feeling too heavy on your skin.
5. Invest in a good vitamin C serum.
Vitamin C is great year-round, but all the more important in the summer. Vitamin C helps prevent hyperpigmentation, improve the appearance of fine lines, and can help with collagen production. Layer a few drops on your skin between cleansing and moisturizer.
We recommend;
Dissolve all traces of make-up and impurities with this Vitamin C Foaming Oil cleanser powered by Kakadu plum and Papaya extracts.
This anti-oxidant rich cleanser will instantly brighten as it cleanses, balance skin tone and unclog pores leaving skin refreshed and radiant.
Get glowing with this powerful Vitamin C treatment masque which is supercharged with pure Vitamin C, Kakadu plum and Lime extracts.
These Vitamin C powerhouses are rich in antioxidants strengthening collagen and protecting skin while dramatically increasing luminosity and radiance.
The appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles are minimized and skin is left smooth and glowing.
6. Don't forget to exfoliate.
Dermatologists are often reminding us not to over-exfoliate, but in the summertime, 'tis the season to slough away. If you have oily skin, try incorporating "more exfoliation" into your skin-care routine. That doesn't mean a daily dose of all your favourite acids, but try slowly increasing the number of days you exfoliate per week.
Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) pads to "open up blocked pores and remove oils that result in acne." Plus they feel nice and soothing on stressed-out summer skin.
Renew and resurface skin overnight with this powerful blend of glycolic and mandelic acid enhanced with niacinamide and extracts of fresh garden sprouts. Fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scars and enlarged pores will be dramatically diminished. Awake to rejuvenated, luminous skin
You’ll definitely want to give this exfoliating scrub a permanent space in your skin care routine. Get ready for your healthiest, most-radiant skin ever. This formula's naturally effective complex of ingredients delivers a bevy of benefits. A gentle yet thorough manual exfoliant, boosted with Papaya and pineapple enzymes, cleansing without stripping the skin. This scrub gently loosens and dislodges dead skin cells and impurities while helping to even out and brighten skin tone. New skin is immediately hydrated and protected with Pure Fiji’s blend of exotic drift nut oils.
118ml
7. Cut down your tub time.
Between workouts, beach days, and plain old summer sweat, many of us shower more than once a day during the summer. Ibrahim recommends keeping showers short, around four to five minutes. Over-showering, or showering in water that is too hot, can lead to over-drying your skin, leading to inflammation and even summertime eczema.
9. Stay in the shade.
All our experts recommend their clients wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brim hats, and sunglasses in the sun. We don't expect you to wear a long-sleeve shirt for a hot day at the beach, but be mindful to expose as little of your body as possible to direct sunlight. That might mean sitting underneath an umbrella, wearing an extra-large hat, or avoiding the midday sun.