How To Adjust Your Skincare Routine for Summer

The official start to summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to change up your skincare routine! Our skincare needs change with the seasons, so I’ve searched the web to find some of the best recommendations from dermatologists and skincare experts for adjusting your skincare routine for the warm months ahead.

• Don’t skip the daily moisturizer. Don’t let the heat and humidity fool you. You still need to moisturize your skin in the summer. You may want to go with a lighter formula if your skin becomes oily, but don’t skip this important step in your skincare routine. The best time to moisturize is right after you wash your face, when skin is still damp.
• But ditch the rich nighttime moisturizer. You’re likely using a thick moisturizer on your skin before bed during the colder months to combat the dry air, but in summer, when it’s warm and humid, that’s not needed. Instead, try a lighter moisturizer, or ditch the moisturizer altogether and just go with a lightweight serum instead.
• Exfoliate wisely. Exfoliating is important to slough off the top, dead layer of skin to reveal a brighter complexion, but too much leaves your skin vulnerable and sensitive to the sun. While you still need to exfoliate in the summer, scale it back to one or two times a week, and use a gentle scrub with no microbeads. My personal favorite is Trilogy Gentle Facial Exfoliant.
• Keep your skin hydrated and purified. Drinking lots of water, especially when it’s hot out, is a given, but an intense facial mask, one or two times a week, can help rehydrate skin and purify and detox your pores, so you don’t get breakouts. A clay-based mask is best for those with oily or combination skin, while a hydrating mask is best for those with sensitive or dry skin.
• Try a toning mist. Speaking of hydration, another way to keep skin hydrated, and keep pores closed, is by using a non-alcohol based facial toner. Facial toners are refreshing, and can help restore, repair and hydrate skin’s surface. They also kill the bacteria that cause breakouts. One of my favorites is Trilogy Hydrating Mist Toner.
• Say bye-bye to heavy foundation. The summer is hot, and this summer is expected to be the warmest on record, so the last thing you’ll want is heavy make-up running down your face and clogging your pores. Instead of foundation, try a tinted moisturizer, BB or CC cream, or, if you can get away with it, just use concealer to cover up blemishes, spots and shadows.

And, as always, don’t forget your SPF! In fact, since you’ll probably be spending more time outdoors this summer, you should up the SPF to 30 or higher. Look for chemical-free formulas that contain zinc oxide, which is great for all skin types, and it doesn’t cause breakouts. It also blocks both UVA and UVB rays. If your moisturizer doesn’t contain an SPF, make sure to layer it on underneath.