If you live in an area that experiences a change in seasons, you should evaluate your current skincare routine to see if you need to make any adjustments to keep your skin performing at its optimal best.
Think summer wardrobe but for your skin. You don’t need a thick winter sweater in the summer, and you might pack it away until fall. Skincare works similarly. A normal to oily skin can see more oil production during the summer months. If your skin produces more oil, you may want to lay off the heavier cream cleansers, ultra-hydrating serums, and night creams.
If you are a normal to oily skin type, starting with cleansers, switching from a cream cleanser to a gel-based product may be wise because you may not need all that extra moisture and could potentially be causing an unneeded breakout.
I would never forgo a moisturizer but try an oil-free or lightweight lotion or gel-based product, and it may work better for your skin during the hot summer months. Using a lightweight product will allow your skin to breathe while protecting it and moisturizing the skin without overdoing it.
Summer is a great time to give your skin a break from retinol. If you feel you can’t go without it, you can always lessen the times you use it and lower the strength. Retinol can break down when exposed to sunlight and, in some cases, can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation. Using retinol can be problematic, especially for people who like to take advantage of the warmer weather and spend a lot of time at the beach or pool for long periods.
A vitamin c serum can be a fantastic alternative to your retinol and help increase collagen production in the skin. Vitamin C can help prevent hyperpigmentation, improve the skin’s tone, and make skin look brighter and more radiant.
Always be extra generous when applying your sunscreen, and apply ahead of time to give it a chance to soak in. Areas often overlooked are around the eye area, ears, neck, decollate, and especially the lips. It’s so important to have a lip product with SPF.
For my golfers and hikers that spend hours outside, try a powdered sunscreen that is somewhat portable that you can carry around with you and reapply as needed. The scalp is another area that often gets overlooked for SPF applications. Thinking about how the sun beats down on our heads while outside, it will make sense to apply attention to sunscreen application.
I think most people can level up their current routine with a few product additions or changes. I can help you make those subtle changes in your everyday routine. Book a consult with me to go over what you are working with now for products, and we can talk about your lifestyle and what products you should keep using all year, and what products you can add to complete your summer skincare routine!
Teresa
