Summer’s just around the corner!

If you’re already daydreaming about sunny skies and days by the pool, then there’s one more thing you have to ask yourself:

Is your skin summer-ready? 

Summer is all about shedding layers and showing off your glow.

Unfortunately, it also presents challenges and risks, like increased sun exposure, heat, sweat, and excess oil production.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to add or adjust in your summer skin care routine so you can glow all summer long.

How Can I Get My Skin Ready for Summer?

To get your skin summer-ready, you need to get ahead of the potential complications from sun exposure, heat, and increased oil production.

The summer skin care tips throughout this guide are all about that. They’ll help your skin thrive despite the challenges your skin faces in summer:

Summer Skin Challenge #1: First of all, and this is the BIG one, is an increase in sun exposure. You want your summer skin glowing with health, not with a painful, red sunburn. Moreover, in the long term, unprotected sun exposure is guaranteed to speed your skin’s aging process (i.e., extrinsic aging).

Summer Skin Challenge #2: Another big change (and this is scientifically proven!) is an increase in oil production. If you’re normally dry, this might be a relief. If your default skin type is oily or combination skin, then summer can mean feeling greasy and seeing an increase in breakouts.

Summer Skin Challenge #3: Finally, heat, high humidity, and sweating often come together to make the skin barrier more vulnerable, especially if you tend to get more extreme summers (whereas in low-humidity areas, any increase in moisture in the air helps with hydration and glow). For those with sensitive skin conditions, it’s common to have rosacea or dermatitis flare-ups in summer.

Here are the 7 steps to keep your skin looking and feeling smooth all summer long!

1. Lock In Your Sunscreen

SPF should be a year-round staple in your skincare routine, but if you haven’t found the one — now’s your chance.

The sun’s UV rays are the most destructive force your skin can face. Studies show that daily sunscreen not only prevents sunburn and melanoma, but it also goes a long way towards preventing signs of aging and hyperpigmentation.

Any product with at least 30 SPF will do the trick, but you need to use at least a ¼ teaspoon on the entire face to enjoy full protection. That’ll be pretty greasy and heavy with a lot of sunscreens, especially as the temperatures rise.

For skin that looks great and stays protected all summer long, look for lightweight, easy-blending sunscreens that won’t make you feel like an oil slick. Our favorite SPF brands for summer are Revision Skincare, EltaMD, and La Roche-Posay.

2. Start Hydrating Now (Inside and Out)

Staying hydrated is fundamental to your health. With temperatures rising, your body will lose more water through sweat, and you might be at greater risk of dehydration. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and parched-looking skin.

With that in mind, make it a habit to drink water throughout the day.

Building a habit takes effort, so find a strategy that works for you. You can keep your Stanley by your side, create tasty infusions with fruit or herbs, or download a cute app with drinking reminders like Plant Nanny or Waterllama.

And while hydration should start from the inside, here’s a little fun fact: While being dehydrated will show on your skin, drinking water isn’t enough on its own.

As water circulates through the body, your skin is the last organ to receive any of it. Studies show that increased water intake only mildly improves skin barrier functions.

Meanwhile, moisturizers can deliver moisture directly to your skin, fortifying the skin barrier and making your skin more resistant to irritation.

Give your skin a dose of hydration from the outside by adding lightweight moisturizers to your summer skin care. Look for formulas that combine hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, water-locking occlusives like shea butter, and barrier-fortifying ceramides.

3. Plan for Hair-Free Summer Skin

Summer is the best season to show off smooth skin — especially when you don’t have to worry about shaving or waxing because you’ve had laser hair removal.

While you may have heard that you can only get laser hair removal in winter, the truth is that you can continue to get lasered safely as summer rolls around.

If you’ve already started your laser treatment process, it’s important you stay consistent how often you get treatments. This way, you can effectively treat each follicle when it’s at the right phase of its lifecycle, for near complete hair reduction. Just remember to protect your laser-treated skin with high SPF, hats, or clothing!

If you’re interested in starting your laser journey, you might prefer to start with treatment areas that don’t get much sun, like the underarms, or bikini area.

4. Opt for UPF-Rated Clothes

UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and it’s the SPF equivalent for fabrics. Unlike sunscreen, UPF-rated hats or clothes won’t rub away or fade. They’re the best protection when you’re out in the sun all day, especially if your skin has recently been lasered.

Nowadays, there are tons of cute styles to choose from, no matter your aesthetic.

Just note that UPF-rated clothing loses its protection with repeated washing, so replace your items every few seasons.

5. Balanced Cleansing

Too much cleansing can irritate your skin, but a build-up of sweat, grime, and oils can also irritate, clog your pores, or break you out.

As the weather gets warmer, you may need to find a new cleansing balance that keeps your summer skin feeling fresh and clean but not stripped of moisture.

Balanced cleansing will look different depending on your skin type and personal preferences, so here are our general tips for ideal cleansing in the summer:

  • Make sure you’re cleansing in lukewarm or even cool water.
  • Cleanse once or twice a day — don’t overdo it.
  • If your skin leans oily in summer, try a lightly foaming cleanser.
  • If your skin is sensitive or dry, stick to creamy cleansers.
  • If you’re using micellar water, make sure to rinse it off.
  • For waterproof sunscreens or makeup, double-cleanse with an oil-based cleanser followed by a rinse-off cleanser.

6. Exfoliate With Care

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface. It eliminates dullness and flakiness, helps speed up your skin’s self-repair process, and allows other skincare products to sink in easily.

In summer, with increased sun exposure and the potential for more inflammation from heat, exfoliating gently is a must.

If you’re a fan of physical exfoliation with scrubs, switch out that harsh walnut shell exfoliator for a gentle micro-exfoliator made with fine, rounded scrubby elements, or even try a soft microfiber face cloth.

If you use acid-based toners or peels, switch out harsh alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid (which increase sun sensitivity) for gentler options like fruit enzymes, poly-hydroxy acids, or even low-percentage salicylic acid.

Lastly, if you’re getting lasered, take a week-long exfoliant break from the treatment area both before and after each session!

7. Consider an Active-Break

Active ingredients are cosmeceutical ingredients that have a strong effect on the skin, like exfoliation or skin renewal. If summer is particularly harsh where you live, consider a complete or partial break from these ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin.

In particular, you may want to stop using products with active ingredients that make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

The worst photosensitizers in skincare are AHAs like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid. Benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics, and skin-brightening agent hydroquinone are also common photosensitizers.

Even non-photosensitizing ingredients like retinol or salicylic acid can make your skin more vulnerable to irritation, so you may want to use them less frequently.

FAQ

Can I get laser hair removal in the summer?

Yes! As long as you keep your treated skin protected from the sun, you can still get laser hair removal in the summer. 

What’s the best sunscreen for oily skin in summer?

Look for light, non-greasy sunscreens with 30 SPF or more. At SEV, our current favorite sunscreen for oily skin in summer is the Revision Skincare Intellishade TruPhysical Clear sunscreen with SPF 50, thanks to its gentle mineral formula and lightweight texture. 

How do I deal with summer breakouts?

If you’re breaking out in summer, start by making sure none of the products in your routine are breaking you out. Use light, non-irritating, non-comedogenic products that’ll fortify your skin. Speak to your doctor about adding a non-photosensitizing acne treatment, and treat yourself to a skin-clarifying facial!

The Countdown to Summer Skin Starts Now

SEV Laser is here to support your beauty journey with personalized aesthetic treatments. We think summer skin should be smooth and strong, with just the right amount of glow. 

Summer weather can take things too far, making you look greasy instead of dewy. Too much sun can turn you beet-red and lead to premature aging. 

So as the countdown to summer begins, prepare your skin for hotter, sunnier weather by following our tips and making those small changes that’ll help your skin thrive.