Transitioning your skincare routine to stand against the challenges of summer is crucial for maintaining a healthy, radiant complexion. Below I’ll share 5 quick and easy tips to make the most of the summer sun that you can easily incorporate into your skincare routine during the warmer months. From selecting the right sunscreen to hydrating your skin effectively, here’s how you can make the most of summer without compromising your skin’s health.

1. Switch up Your Face Cleanser

The cooler months are known for drying out the skin and causing redness and irritation leading many of us to use a gentle cleanser. On the other hand, our skin can usually handle face cleansers with a stronger formula during the summer when it’s hot and humid. We’re also more likely to accumulate sweat, oil, and other buildup that needs to be properly washed off at the end of the day to prevent clogged pores that can lead to dull skin and uneven skin texture. 

Whereas you may opt for a more gentle gel or cream cleanser during the winter, the summer is the perfect time to try face washes such as foaming cleansers and acne cleansers. These tend to cleanse more deeply to help control excess oil and sweat, keeping your skin clear and refreshed during the hotter weather. If you have sensitive skin and aren’t too keen on giving up your usual face wash for the options listed above, you can always double cleanse. Start with an oil-based balm or cleansing oil to remove any makeup and sunscreen and then follow with your regular cleanser to remove any excess residue.

2. Use a Lightweight Moisturizer

Many of us opt for rich creams and heavy moisturizers in the winter when we need an extra boost of hydration but during the summer you may need to switch to an oil-free or lightweight moisturizer. If you have normal, combination, or oily skin, you may notice your skin feels heavy and greasy throughout the day during the summer due to the increased heat and humidity. 

Lightweight moisturizers are usually gel-based or oil-free and great for the summer months. These formulations provide hydration and moisture without weighing the skin down. They absorb quickly and layer well under sunscreen even in the heat and humidity. Additionally, many lightweight moisturizers bind hydration to the skin without the use of oils by using easily tolerated ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera, which are good for even the most sensitive of skin types. 

3. Buff up Your SPF

By now, most of us understand the importance of wearing sunscreen. Although it’s essential to use sunscreen year-round, the longer days and increased outdoor activities during the summer months result in more sun exposure making it crucial to wear sunscreen with adequate SPF protection. Depending on your usual sunscreen, you might want to switch to a different one with a higher SPF.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen (meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of at least 30. Most importantly, be sure to use enough to cover the area you’re applying to. A good rule of thumb for the face and neck is to apply two finger-lengths worth of sunscreen. Lastly, don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen for every 2 hours you’re exposed to the sun.  

4. Cut back on Retinol and AHAs

While retinoids and AHAs are known for fighting signs of aging and keeping breakouts at bay, they don’t come without risks, especially during the summer. Retinoids such as tretinoin and retinol and AHAs like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid work by chemically exfoliating the top layer of the skin, and in doing so, leave it more sensitive to UV rays. This can lead to damage such as hyperpigmentation and sun spots if you aren’t sufficiently protecting your skin, undoing all the hard work these ingredients do in the first place. 

If you’re using adequate sunscreen and reapplying often when you’re outside, then you can probably carry on with your regular skincare routine. However, if you have any skin sensitivities or notice your skin feels more sensitive, you may want to try reducing the frequency or changing the time of day you use your retinol and AHA skincare products. 

If you apply a retinoid or AHA serum every other night, you may want to cut back to every third day. You can also quit using these products during the day. If you use any products containing these ingredients in your morning skincare routine, you can switch to using them at night. Remember, less is more during the summer when it comes to using strong ingredients like retinol and AHAs!

5. Add Vitamin C

A popular ingredient found in serums, moisturizers, and even cleansers, Vitamin C is a multi-benefit antioxidant that is scientifically proven for its ability to fight against damage from UV exposure and other environmental factors. Applying Vitamin C to the skin wards against oxidative stress in skin cells that can result from sun exposure, and if left unchecked, can lead to signs of aging, uneven skin tone, and dull, textured skin tone. 

Vitamin C is a great addition to your skincare routine anytime during the year but becomes especially important when you’re outside in the sun. In fact, studies have shown that vitamin C not only helps protect against the damage sun exposure causes in the first place, but it can help boost the efficacy of your sunscreen, specifically against UVB rays when combined with a broad spectrum SPF! 

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