As temperatures rise and the sun shines brighter, our skincare needs shift. It’s time to bid adieu to heavy creams, harsh exfoliants, and active correctives and welcome lighter, protective options. We need to switch gears to nourish our skin and prevent damage to maintain a healthy glow throughout the summer months. So, let’s dive in and explore our essential summer skincare needs.
- Summer-Safe Formulas: From Correcting To Preventing
- Exfoliation: Gentle Yet Effective
- Antioxidants: Boost Your Protection
- Boost Hydration: The Power of Humectants
- Lighten Up: Switching to Lightweight Moisturizers
- Keep It Cool: Add Soothing and Calming Ingredients
- SPF: All Day, Every Day
- Favorite Summer Skincare: AOS Must-Haves
Summer-Safe Formulas: From Correcting To Preventing
During the warmer summer months, we have to take a different approach to our skincare and carefully think about the ingredients and formulas we turn to. It’s important to steer clear of retinols, acids, and other harsher actives that may lead to further damage and undo all of the correcting we worked on in the cooler months. Look for more botanical-based brightening and exfoliating ingredients to reverse and prevent pigmentation and texture while we enjoy more time in the sun. Some top summer-safe ingredients include licorice root, bellis perennis (daisy flower), vitamin C, azelaic acid, kojic acid, and bakuchiol.
Exfoliation: Gentle Yet Effective
Regular exfoliation is key to maintaining smooth, radiant skin year-round but is especially important during the summer months when sweat, sunscreen, and oil can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Swap harsh physical and chemical exfoliants for enzymes to gently slough away dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion without irritating or drying out your skin. Read more about enzymatic exfoliation here.
Antioxidants: Boost Your Protection
Protect your skin from environmental damage and premature aging by incorporating antioxidant-rich serums or treatments into your summer skincare routine. Look for ingredients such as vitamins C and E, niacinamide, green tea, and superoxide dismutase to neutralize free radicals, brighten your complexion, and promote overall skin health. Read more about these mighty defenders in our blog.
Boost Hydration: The Power of Humectants
Keeping your skin hydrated without being weighed down during the summer months is crucial. Look to humectants, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol, to pull moisture into the skin and boost your skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF). Hyaluronic acid is a powerhouse ingredient that holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it the perfect addition to your summer skincare routine. Look for lightweight serums or mists containing hyaluronic acid, or other humectants, to keep your skin hydrated and refreshed all day long.
Lighten Up: Switching to Lightweight Formulas
Say farewell to heavy creams and opt for lightweight, water-based moisturizers that provide hydration without weighing your skin down. Look for gels or lighter lotions that absorb quickly and won’t leave you feeling greasy, perfect for hot and humid summer days.
Keep It Cool: Add Soothing and Calming Ingredients
Keep your skin calm, cool, and collected with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber extract, and chamomile. These gentle yet effective ingredients help reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, and restore balance to your skin, making them perfect additions to your summer skincare arsenal.
SPF: All Day, Every Day
Sun protection is non-negotiable, not only all year but especially during the summer months when UV rays are at their strongest. Be sure to incorporate a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and don’t forget to reapply throughout the day, especially if you’re spending time outdoors. Find out how to choose the best sunscreen for your skin type here.
Favorite Summer Skincare: AOS Must-Haves
- iS Clinical Brightening Complex: This mighty serum is filled with summer-safe brighteners, including vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice root, and even has humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and happy.
- Rhonda Allison Brightening Pigment Tonic: This brightening skin refresher is a must in your summer lineup to keep pigment at bay, boost antioxidants, and reduce inflammation with bellis perennis, thermus thermophilus ferment, and glycerin.
- GlyMed Plus Hydrating Masque With Enzymes: This nourishing, exfoliating mask is a perfect summer option as it works to detoxify the skin and boost hydration with firming benefits for dry or dehydrated skin. It uses gentle enzymes from papaya and pineapple with natural soothers such as aloe, lavender, and calendula.
- Sorella Apothecary Pomegranate Acai Antioxidant Serum: This antioxidant powerhouse is loaded with vitamin C, pomegranate, lycopene, and retinyl palmitate (stable, safer form of vitamin A) to boost your protection. It also has licorice root for brightening and squalane to increase hydration.
- GlyMed Plus Skin Recovery Mist: This refreshing, hydrating spritz utilizes hyaluronic acid to pull moisture into the skin, along with vitamin B and aloe to soothe the skin and bring down inflammation. The perfect skin pick-me-up on a warm day.
- Sorella Apothecary Main Squeeze Hydrating Serum: This ultra-hydrating, lightweight serum pulls double duty by upping the moisture in the skin, using hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom, with firming and plumping benefits from peptides.
- IS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 40: This ultra-protector helps you up your summer game by providing superior sun protection and added antioxidants with proprietary extremozymes. It finishes like a wonderful moisturizer and comes in both sheer and tinted formulas.
By making strategic summer skincare swaps and focusing on prevention and nourishment rather than correcting with more active or harsh ingredients, you can keep your skin healthy, radiant, and protected all season long. Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen daily, and listen to your skin’s needs to ensure you’re giving it the care and attention it deserves. Here’s to enjoying the warmer weather with glowing, healthy skin!
Unsure where to start? Reach out for a free skincare checkup, and our licensed estheticians will optimize your routine for the best results. We’ll be here every step of the way!
