It’s almost time for summer and you know what that means – beach days, tropical holidays, and spending time outdoors, but you also should keep in mind how excess sun can affect your skin.
It is important to switch up your skincare products, in different seasons, to preserve and protect a glowing complexion. Here’s how to do it in 3 easy steps, plus product recs to make your life even simpler!
Why do we need a different skin care routine in Summer?
One of the basic rules of proper skincare is to have different routines for winter and summer.
Face oils might be your winter go-to when moisture is in short supply. However, as the heat rises with the arrival of summer, those same items may now cause discomfort to your skin.
Changing skincare products according to the season is important because the sun is much harsher during the summer, requiring stronger UV protection. The heat and humidity are also higher during the summer months – meaning you could swap out a heavier cleanser in favour of a gentle or lighter foaming option.
Pay attention to your skin as the seasons change and make swaps as needed throughout the year.
Prep your skin for a summer glow in 3 effortless steps
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliating weekly can be extremely beneficial for the skin’s appearance and texture, especially to help with cell turnover and removing dirt and oils left on the skin’s surface.
2. Hydrate
Just as important as exfoliating, is keeping your skin hydrated. Introduce a serum, these are a lot lighter for summer and the key to remember here is to buy a serum, which contains humectants—ingredients that lock in moisture, like hyaluronic acid.
ESTHEDERM Intensive Hyaluronic Serum
Original price was: R1,505.00.R1,300.00Current price is: R1,300.00.
3. Moisturise
Now it’s time to lock all that goodness in with a cream, just because your skin is oilier in summer, doesn’t mean you should ditch your moisturiser. For summer, we suggest switching from heavy moisturisers to something lightweight instead.
Before the summer fun begins let’s boost our skin protection with antioxidants.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants like vitamin C are powerful free radical fighters. Free radicals essentially damage our healthy skin cells and are caused through stress, smoking, pollution, alcohol (basically all the bad things). Antioxidant ingredients boost our skin’s protection against harsh environmental pollutants, like UV rays.
The benefits of Vitamin C: Vitamin C is the ultimate skin brightening agent and it plays a key role in collagen production. This super ingredient can help heal blemishes, reduce hyperpigmentation and inflammation or redness, adding to the youthful look that everyone wishes for this time of the year!
Consider these picks the secret to getting that summer glow, while also protecting your skin against UV rays – what a win!
Serums to see you through summer
As the seasons change, so should your skincare routine and with the start of summer, it’s time to prepare your skin with lighter serums that still nourish and hydrate.
Serums are the superheroes to our beauty regime. They are full of active ingredients and give you glowing skin as they penetrate deep within the skin, making it glow. The most important thing to look for in a hydrating serum is—you guessed it—humectants. An example is hyaluronic acid, this ingredient draws moisture from the air and infuses it into the skin.
Don’t forget sunscreen!
If you do nothing else for your skin this summer, wear sunscreen.
A sunscreen is the single most important thing to include in your routine every single day. Without sunscreen you will constantly be reversing any good you are doing to your skin.
Applying enough SPF each day will not only protect you from the sun’s harmful rays but will also keep your skin invigorated and glowing.
Our picks for the best summer sunscreen are fast-absorbing and lightweight, check out our favourites here.
