Summer Skincare: Adjusting Your Routine for the Season
As the days stretch longer, temperatures rise, and rosé flows freely, it's clear that summer has officially arrived. Just as you swap out your winter wardrobe for lighter attire, it's also time to adjust your skincare routine to suit the season. However, there's no need to overhaul your entire regimen. Simple tweaks can help you achieve the perfect summer skincare routine. Here, top dermatologists share their insights on how to make these adjustments and provide some of their favorite summer skincare tips.
Daytime Summer Skincare Routine
Prioritize Antioxidants
A high-quality antioxidant serum is a year-round essential, but it becomes particularly important during the summer months when we spend more time outdoors. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful (and aging) free radicals caused by environmental factors such as pollution and UV rays, which we are more frequently exposed to during the summer, explains Dr. Elizabeth Hale, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. While you can use an antioxidant serum at night, you'll get the most benefit by applying it in the morning, underneath your sunscreen, so it can act as an additional layer of protection, she advises.
There are numerous options available, but Dr. Amy Ross, a board-certified dermatologist in Palm Harbor, Florida, recommends a vitamin C serum. Not only is this ingredient a powerful antioxidant, but it also helps combat hyperpigmentation, a common summer concern, she notes. Try BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner ($80) for a potent dose of vitamin C.
Opt for Lighter Moisturizers
It might be tempting to skip moisturizer when the humidity rises and your face feels perpetually sticky, but resist the urge. "Your skin needs moisture to stay healthy, so you should really use a moisturizer all year round," says Dr. Ross. (This applies to all skin types.) While dry skin is more common in winter, summer also presents factors that can dehydrate your skin—such as the sun, chlorine, and saltwater, explains Dr. Julie Russak, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Instead of skipping moisturizer altogether, simply switch to a lighter formula.
Ditch heavy creams or balms, which can feel oppressive in hot and humid weather, in favor of lightweight, oil-free, water-based gels or lotions, advises Dr. Russak. Think of it as swapping a thick wool turtleneck for a breathable cotton tank top—you're still covering up, but with a garment that's much more suited to the season. Look for key ingredients like hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which attract and retain water in the skin without feeling heavy or thick, she suggests.
Two options to consider: Covey Last But Not Least Moisturizer ($49) and CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($19). If you have oily skin and truly don't want to apply moisturizer, you can skip it in the morning, as long as you apply it in the evening, says Dr. Ross.
Be Vigilant with Sunscreen
It's worth repeating: wearing sunscreen is more important than ever during the summer. While you should be using an SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen every day of the year, it's crucial to be especially diligent about sun protection during the summer months when we spend more time outdoors, says Dr. Hale. UVB rays, which cause sunburns, are also stronger in the summer. However, "people need to remember that sun damage accumulates. It happens and builds up even from short periods of unprotected sun exposure," she warns. If you're spending most of the day indoors, your usual SPF 30 sunscreen is sufficient. (You need it even if you're indoors because UVA rays can penetrate through glass.) For daily use, we recommend Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36 ($60).
However, if you'll be outside for extended periods, switch to a formula with an SPF of 50, such as Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 ($13). "While the increase in protection is technically marginal, most people don't apply or reapply sunscreen enough to achieve the SPF level on the bottle, making it wise to err on the higher side," Dr. Hale explains. Regarding reapplication: when you're outdoors, make sure to reapply every two hours. Dr. Hale prefers easy-to-use brush-on mineral powders for this purpose, like Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 ($69).
Nighttime Summer Skincare Routine
Adjust Your Cleanser
Warm weather means more sweat and oil on our skin, which increases the risk of clogged pores and breakouts. As a result, "You'll want to use a slightly more potent cleanser at night to thoroughly remove sunscreen, makeup, and excess oil," says Dr. Russak. (Think foaming gels instead of creamy milks or cleansing balms—or an exfoliating cleanser that can better cut through dirt and grime and dissolve dead skin cells.) She recommends SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel ($41). If you're prone to acne, you can also follow your cleanser with an exfoliating toner to ensure your skin is completely clean. We like First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner ($24), which contains oil-dissolving salicylic acid to help keep pores clear and breakouts at bay.
Incorporate Potent Ingredients
Summer provides an ideal opportunity to introduce more potent ingredients and formulations into your skincare routine. "Our skin tends to be more resilient in the summer, reducing the likelihood of active ingredients causing irritation," explains Dr. Hale. Your skin may actually be better able to tolerate substances like retinoids and AHAs such as glycolic acid during the summer, she says. She recommends SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($125), which combines both glycolic acid and a retinoid.
However, be cautious: most of these ingredients make your skin more sensitive to the sun—another reason to be extremely diligent about sunscreen use. If you haven't started using a retinoid yet, it's best to begin in the spring. Your skin will be most sun-sensitive during the retinization period—the time it takes for your skin to adapt to the ingredient—which occurs during the first few weeks of use, says Dr. Hale. Starting before summer fully kicks in will give you some buffer time, but remember, sunscreen is non-negotiable.
