15+ Amazing Summer Skin Care Tips That will Save Your Skin

With summer around the corner, these 15+ amazing summer skin care tips will save your skin. 

With summer near, being prepared to avoid heat, humidity, pollution and all other problems that come along with summer is key.

To keep your skin healthy and glowy, here are 15+ amazing summer skin care tips that will save your skin.

15+ Amazing Summer Skin Care Tips

Here are 15+ amazing summer skin care tips will save your skin:

Summer Skin Care Tip #1: Always Take Care Of Your Skin

You should look after your skin the 365 days of the year despite where you live.

However, for those who live in places where the 4 seasons are present your skin care routine needs to adapt to each season.

In the summer, your skin care routine needs to be more lightweight to counteract the hot summer climate; you should focus on hydrating and keeping your skin clean.

To further take care of your skin here are 5 ways to do so and 20+ skin care products that are essential for the summer.

Summer Skin Care Tip #2: Avoid Over-Showering

Healthy skin has a layer of oil and a balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria but showering removes the oil and all types of bacteria from the skin; including bacteria that help your body protect itself against infection.

The water with which you clean yourself may cause other problems because it contains salts, heavy metals, chlorine, fluoride, pesticides and other chemicals.

Showering alone is not the only issue, the soaps and shampoos used when showering dry out the skin and hair leading to cracked skin and split ends.

A study conducted by Dr. Elaine Larson, a professor of pharmaceutical and therapeutic research, demonstrated that the skin goes through profound but transient changes each time it’s washed, however, occupations where frequent washing is required result in chronic damage of the skin, irritant contact dermatitis and eczema. 

As a result, over-showering causes your skin to become dry, irritated or itchy and allows bacteria and allergens to breach through cracked skin causing skin infections and allergic reactions.

How often you should shower depends on your individual skin type and the climate in which you live.

Pediatricians and dermatologists recommend against over-showering specially for kids because the immune system needs stimulation in order to create protective antibodies and “immune memory” to do its job.

Summer Skin Care Tip #3: Use Skin Care Products Appropriate For The Summer

The skin is accustomed to consistency so harsh weather changes are a shock to the system; adjusting to a new environment takes a toll on your skin. 

As the skin adjusts to a hot and humid weather, it starts feeling greasy so more oil gets trapped on the surface of your skin. 

You need products that let your skin breath naturally, choose mild cleansers, lighter lotions and serums that are non-comedogenic to prevent pores from getting clogged.

In the summer, light gel-based moisturizers work the best but you should consider choosing a moisturizer based on your skin type:

• Normal skin types need a water-based moisturizers.
• Combination skin types need a light water-based moisturizer for oily areas and a heavy cream-based moisturizer for drier areas of the skin.
• Dry skin types need cream-based moisturizer with extra hydration properties.
• Oily skin types need a gel-based moisturizer but extra oily and acne prone skin types should stick with facial sprays.
• Sensitive skin types need a hypoallergenic moisturizer.

Summer Skin Care Tip #4: Is Exfoliation Necessary?

As you age, your cell regeneration process slows down and causes dead skin cells to build up which leads to clogged pores that result in breakouts.

Exfoliation consists of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin with a washcloth, sonic brush, facial scrubs, acids, enzymes or peels to brighten and improve the appearance of your skin.

But should you be exfoliating more in the summer? According to Laura Cline, Youth To The People’s Director of Education, you shouldn’t be exfoliating more in the summer.

Throughout all seasons, despite different times or climates, skin cell turnover last an average of 28 days so there’s no need to shift the frequency of exfoliation.

As a matter of fact, exfoliation increases sun sensitivity by 45% because it removes some of the protective layers of the skin.

Be careful of over-exfoliating because it causes dry, irritated and damaged skin, dehydration, breakouts, unnecessary stress to the skin and a weakened skin barrier. 

As a rule of thumb this is how often you exfoliate depending on your skin type:

1. Every 7-10 days for hypersensitive skin.

2. 1 time per week for mild rosacea-prone and sensitive skin.

3. 1-2 times per week for dry, dehydrated, mature and acne-prone skin.

4. 2-3 times per week for normal, combination and oily skin.

Summer Skin Care Tip #5: Antioxidants, Antioxidants and Antioxidants

Free radicals are oxygen-containing molecules with unpaired electrons which easily react with other molecules because they scavenge throughout the body to find other electrons which they can pair up with, this process is known as oxidation.

The body needs free radicals to function and can cope with a small amount, but in high levels they are capable of damaging damage skin cells, proteins and DNA; an overload of free radicals leads to irreversible diseases and some cancers.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving them the extra electrons they need to make the pair, therefore, preventing skin cells, proteins and DNA damage.

Summer Skin Care Tip #6: Invest In a Solid Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is specially great for the summer because it's an antioxidant that combats the effects of smoke, pollution and sun exposure, regenerates other antioxidants, inhibits melanin and promotes collagen and elastin synthesis and wound healing.

Summer Skin Care Tip #7: Retinol Will Save Your Skin

The best skin treatment is prevention and early intervention, don’t wait for fine lines and wrinkles instead prevent them.

Retinoid or Retinol?

Retinoid is a vitamin A derivative that regulates skin cell growth, promotes collagen growth, gets rid of acne by unclogging pores, improves skin's texture and tones by increasing cell turnover, lightens dark spots, calms inflammation, and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. Powerful retinoids are only available by prescription. 

While retinol is a type of retinoid used mainly in over-the-counter products; on a molecular level retinols are different from prescription retinoids.

Retinol exfoliates the skin which promotes a faster cell turnover, stimulates collagen and elastin production, improves uneven skin tone and texture, treats pigmentation, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles reduces signs of aging and helps repair sun damage.

The biggest difference between retinoids and retinols is strength. Prescription retinoids have a higher concentration of retinoic acid while retinols contain a lower concentration of retinoic acid. 

Over-the-counter retinol products are less intense than prescription products because they are in ester forms which means that the ester forms need more conversions to be converted to retinoic acid, as a result, they work gradually.

After the age of 21, collagen production depletes by 1% each year so use retinoids all year around because they benefit the skin throughout the year.

Avoid retinol on sunny days where it’s tricky to avoid the sun because Retinoids make the skin more sensitive to sunlight but if you are wearing a sunscreen every day and not overexposing your skin to the sun, you'll be fine.

Summer Skin Care Tip #8: Hydration and Moisturization Are Key

Hydration and moisturization have always and will always be important for your skin, but in the summer is even more; otherwise, all sorts of skin concerns arise. 

Summer heat can dehydrate your skin, as a result, your skin will produce excessive sebum to protect itself from drying out.

Excessive sebum causes clogged pores which lead to acne breakouts. 

Using a solid hydrator and moisturizer will reestablish the outermost layer of your skin, also known as the stratum corneum, to protect from harmful pollutants and chemicals and prevent further irritation or dryness.

Summer Skin Care Tip #9: Always Wear Sunscreen 

You should be wearing sunscreen all year around to prevent collagen fiber damage, skin cancer, sunburn, immune system damage, eye damage and premature aging.

But make sure to wear sunscreen specially in the summer because it’s when exposure levels to the sun are highest and the UVA rays, also known as the aging rays, are the strongest.

Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and don't forget to apply sunscreen on your hands, feet, ears and lips.   

Remember to apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before leaving your house to protect your skin from to the sun and slow down the process of aging.

If you are going to the beach, the pool or the gym, then re-apply every time the sunscreen is washed out.

Read more about the importance of sunscreen and how to choose one that's ideal for your skin type. 

Summer Skin Care Tip #10: Protect Your Eyes and Lips

The skin around your eyes and on your lips is the most delicate skin on your body so it ages faster.

Genetics, ultraviolet rays, external stressors and lifestyle choices further accelerate this aging process. 

In the summer, avoid going out around between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m because the sun's rays are the harshest.

If you do go out, cover your eyes with sunglasses and protect your lips with balm.

Summer Skin Care Tip #11: Treat  Inflammation

During the summer, if you get itchy rashes on your skin then it could be PLE.

Polymorphic light eruption, also known as PLE or sun allergy, is when excessive sweat is trapped under your skin due to a reaction to ultraviolet light or milaria.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for polymorphic light eruption but avoiding the sun and wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen when outdoors will help you manage the rash.

If you follow these tips, then the rash usually disappears within 2-3 days.

Summer Skin Care Tip #12: Your Makeup Should Be Non-Comedogenic

In the summer, wear makeup that is not going to occlude your skin.

Occlusive makeup is mostly oil-based, meaning, that it leaves grease on the skin ultimately clogging the pores and causing acne.

Make sure your makeup products are non-comedogenic, meaning, products that are formulated without ingredients that clog the pores. 

Summer Skin Care Tip #13: Avoid Tanning

When you tan, your skin protects itself from the damage of UV rays by producing melanin, meaning, a tan is visible sun damage.

In the summer, it can be very tempting to go get tanned but tanning is dangerous, it damages your skin cells which leads to skin cancer and speeds up signs of aging.

Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brim hats and sunglasses while in the sun.

Expose as little of your body as possible to direct sunlight, this means, sitting underneath an umbrella, wearing an extra-large hat or avoiding the midday sun.

We tend to get tanned more while in the beach and pool because salt water and chlorine water speed up the process of tanning.

So if you’re going to the beach or pool, after a swim make sure you shower to get the salt water or chlorine water off your body.

If you want to get that sun-kissed look without damaging your skin, use any of these 30+ self-tanners that can give you a natural-looking tan without the harmful effects of UV rays.

Summer Skin Care Tip #14: Wear Breathable Fabrics

In the summer, the sebaceous glands produce excess sebum which stays on the surface of the skin causing stickiness, grease and blocked pores.

Tight clothes cause itch, irritation, rashes and even serious skin infections, therefore, to tackle the heat and avoid breakouts switch to cotton and lighter fabrics.

Summer Skin Care Tip #15: Try In-clinic Treatments

Depending on the in-clinic treatment you choose to try, it can be great for your skin in the summer. 

Sun exposure thickens the outer layer of the skin so your skin will have more clogged pores and breakouts, as a result, a good dermatology grade facial such as comedone extractions, clean-ups and medifacials are key.

Chemical peels and microdermabrasion remove all the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to promote skin cell turnover and reveal a healthier and younger looking skin. 

Carbon facial and microneedling will remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, clean and tighten the pores, improve skin tone and texture, stimulate collagen growth and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Last but not least, mesotherapy rejuvenates, increases elasticity and nourishes the skin to protect and repair sun damage.

Summer Skin Care Tip #16: Maintain  A Good Personal Hygiene

In the summer, hygiene is important when dealing with heat because heat means more sweat, oil and skin cell production.

When dead skin cells combine with this excess oil and sweat it results in acne breakouts.

Here are 5 tips that will keep your skin fresh while combating summer lethargy:

• Bathing twice a day helps removes dead skin cells, bacteria and irritants that cause skin problems.
• Switching to a summer skincare routine
• Drinking lots of water.
• Changing into clean and breathable clothes.

What summer skin care tip has saved your skin? Let me know in the comments below!

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