Imagine the perfect summertime complexion; it’s smooth, it’s clear and it’s radiant. Of course, reality can be a little different. The clash between sweltering humidity and air-conditioning, sun exposure and sunscreen, and salt water and chlorine, makes striking a balance between melting down and drying up tricky. As we move ever closer to the hottest part of the year, we must ask: is your summer skin care routine up to the task?
Here are the facts: summer weather causes us to sweat. Sweat can then clog pores and cause breakouts. Fun, right?
On top of this, warmer days often lead to a higher production of oil. Due to this, a few tweaks and swaps to your routine (it isn’t a complete overhaul, we promise) can help prevent seasonal outbreaks and flare-ups.
Switch to a gentle cleanser
As the temperature rises, consider switching from rich and thick cream cleansers to a formulation that is a little lighter. It doesn’t mean you have to halt your double cleansing routine, but we suggest starting with a refreshing micellar water and finishing with a hydrating, breathable gel cleanser.
bh loves:
Glow Lab Gel Cleanser, $13.49 at Chemist Warehouse
La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra for Reactive Skin, $14 at Chemist Warehouse
Introduce a toner
Toning not only completes the cleansing process, it works to refine pores and prepare the skin for moisture. Additionally, it gives you the cool, fresh zing you need in hot weather.
The right formula will give the skin a boost of radiance and remove lingering traces of cleanser, trapped dirt, excess oil and makeup.
bh loves:
BIODERMA Sensibio Toner, $32.99 at Adore Beauty
Nude by Nature Hydrating Toner Mist, $11.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Hydrate
Every skin type needs moisture, especially in summer when our bodies are losing more water than normal. Replenishing our water stores by drinking our allocated 3L per day will leave our skin smooth, soft and supple.
As an additional (and incredibly effective) step, layer a hyaluronic acid serum beneath your moisturiser for a targeted and more intense method of hydration.
bh loves:
Koko & Kush Bong Appétit – Hemp & Watermelon Serum, $88 at kokoandkush.com.au
Bondi Sands Everyday Skincare – Thirsty Skin Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $15.95 at Bondi Sands
Lighten up your moisturiser
Now that the icy winds, drying heaters and hot showers that took their toll on our skin over winter have subsided, we no longer require the same heavy lotions and balms we depended on during the cooler months.
Park your rich creams and swap them out for a lightweight formula more suitable for the humidity and hotter nights. Seek out ingredients like glycerin to restore hydration without the heaviness.
bh loves:
Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, $68 at Clinique
Neutrogena® HYDRO BOOST Gel Cream, $26.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Protect
There’s little sense in caring for your skin if you’re not going to properly protect it from the damaging effects of the sun. With these light, non-greasy and convenient products, there’s certainly no excuse for facing summer without sunscreen.
Eau Thermale Avène Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 50+, $19.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Clear Face Lotion SPF30, $8.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Main image credit: @tashoakley
Do you have any summer skin care tips? If so, what are they?
Good tips BH got to drink more water.
I hope that Sand & Sky brand will be back on bh one day soon! Love their products!
Same, hope so too!
I heard of them through BH but I never used them. What’s your favourite product in their line?
Great tips and product suggestions.
All my goals are in summer= no breakouts and please no more pigmentation. Thank you skin gods.
Pigmentation: Out, damned spot; out, I say.
Hydration is something I always neglect in the summer… I have started incorporating a hylaronic acid by Olay. Love it so far.
When using a humectant like Hyaluronic Acid, remember to layer it with an emollient and if your skin can bear it, an occlusive. Also make sure that you stick in humid environments otherwise HA can have the opposite effect. HA draws moisture from its surroundings so you need to seal it in. I put on my HA before bed and use a humidifier overnight. Hope that helps!
I use toner all year around to remove the last of traces of my foundation. I just change the type according to the time of the year. BIODERMA is my fav not just because of the product but also the unique pump dispenser.
Hydrate and Sunscreen is a must ALL year around.
I’ve never tried the BIODERMA toner!
I mostly try to aestivate (summer equivalent of hibernate) through summer, but if I have to go out in the heat I wear Neat Feat Face Saver facial antiperspirant. It works well.
I aestivate when I can too! I’m also a bit Sun phobic!
I should be a vampire: I’m predominantly nocturnal & hide in the shade during the daytime, haha!
Lolz M8! How are your vit D levels? Mine are terrible.
Doc put me on a Vitamin D supplement. I have to take twice the usual dose to keep my blood levels within the normal range.
I hate the sun so much that I’m happy to take them!
I should be a vampire: I’m predominantly nocturnal & hide in the shade during the daytime, haha!
I can’t seem to reply to your last comment. I need to get on some vit D supplements sooner rather than later!
I should be a vampire: I’m predominantly nocturnal & hide in the shade during the daytime, haha!
APOLOGIES FOR DUPLICATED POSTS!
I’m unable to edit or delete them.
Whaaa? There is facial antiperspirant? I’m shook! The things I learn in the BH community!
Yes, Lucy – I’ve recommended it on the forum a few times, but it’s now Bh-listed, here: https://www.beautyheaven.com.au/product/neat-feat/neat-feat-3b-face-saver-gel/
There’s another one I’ve tried, too: No More Sweat Face & Scalp Antiperspirant from Chemist Warehouse.
Lucy: I can’t directly reply to your sun phobia aestivation comment!
I should be a vampire: I’m predominantly nocturnal & hide in the shade during the daytime, haha!
Thanks M8!
Lucy: I can’t directly reply to your sun phobia aestivation comment!
I should be a vampire: I’m predominantly nocturnal & hide in the shade during the daytime, haha!
Lucy: I can’t seem to reply to your sun phobic aestivation comment!
I should be a vampire: I’m predominantly nocturnal & hide in the shade during the daytime, haha!
APOLOGIES AGAIN FOR DUPLICATED COMMENTS!
Ah-hahahahahaha! We got the message 😀
I burn so easily I too stay away from the sun. Something my mum (who tans and never burns) does not understand.
I change up my products but don’t really change up my routine. I tend to do the same thing all year round.
Yeah same with me.
Same here. Sunscreen is non-negotiable!
The usual: good cleanse after wearing sunscreen (my skin does not like them), hydration quencher too.
Which hydration quencher do you use Yo? I’m like you, I wear IZ on my face and neck and then slap on a wide brimmed hat, sunnies and UPF clothing! I must say, I love the Nivea and Dermaveen sunscreens I recently trialled!
I don’t tend to change my routine much for the seasons, except perhaps to add more sunscreen in summer.
I absolutely love Hada Labo Toners!
Wow. Have I been living under a rock? I had no idea that CeraVe has a hyaluronic acid serum! I have The Inkey List serum on order from Sephora!
Summer Time certainly is looking after your Skin especially applying Sunscreen and moisturise more and more, cleansing, toning and again using Serum and a moisturiser are so important in keeping your Skin clean and brighter.
I make sure to cleanse well. Some good product suggestions here.
Same here! I find when I sweat more, my skin needs more cleansing!
I like to use serums instead of creams because they’re lighter and absorb easily into the skin
Do you seal in your serums?
I tend to mist a lot more in summer and switch creams to lotions. Lessen retinol and acid use.
I love lotions in Summer too!
Beauties with hyperpigmentation or melasma, be sure to wear a tinted sunscreen and avoid days or hours in the Sun when the UV index is high.
I never leave home without my sunglasses, even in winter, to protect my eyes and surrounding skin.
I don’t mind the HYDRO BOOST Gel Cream but I wait until it’s half price at Chem WH and stock up
My routine doesn’t really change much between the seasons.
I change my skincare a lot with the seasons , my skin is far less dry in the summer, so always back to foaming cleansers and lighter moisturiser during the day.
SPF! and I love a good toner, dont know how I existed without it.
Geez 3 litres a day of water? this is why my skin hates me
My brain remembered 2-2.5L / day. I don’t know where I got that from if it is 3L / day.
We seem to have lost the ability to report spam as the comment below by MICHAELRACHEL obviously is
This summer I am going to use natural products that won’t clog my pores
I tried a new natural product this year. It clogged my pores 🤣
A few months later and I am still healing
I will take SPF 50 only please.
I use a higher SPF in summer and I use it everyday so I need a deeper cleanse in summer which means that I need a super hydrating night cream
some lovely products ad yes i love toner
Plenty of SPF protection!
A lot of this is common sense…
Great article. I use the same products every season. Didn’t realise you should use lighter cleanser. Good to know
Drink more water and don’t forget your sunscreen.
Really relevant article right now 🙂