Summer is here, and with it comes sun-soaked days and balmy nights. While we all love a good tan, it’s essential to protect and nourish your skin during these hotter months. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or hitting the beach, these 10 summer skincare essentials will keep your skin glowing, healthy, and protected all season long.
1. Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
- Why It’s Essential: The cornerstone of any summer skincare routine, a broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, preventing sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
- Our Pick: Look for an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating. Try a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula to avoid clogging your pores if you are acne prone. If you battle undesired pigment, there’s an added bonus if it contains one of the physical blockers (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Iron oxides can also tint the sunblock naturally while adding additional protection. Check out: Elta UV Clear; Alastin Hydratint; Skin Better tinted SPF, Renee Rouleau SPF
2. Hydrating Moisturizer
- Why It’s Essential: Sun exposure, salt water, and chlorine can dry out your skin. A hydrating moisturizer helps maintain your skin’s moisture barrier, keeping it soft and supple.
- Our Pick: Opt for a gel-based moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera for a refreshing, non-greasy feel. Your favorite moisturizing creams for winter may not be necessary in warmer summer months.Try: Alastin HA, DEJ Face Cream, Skin Better Trio
3. Vitamin C Serum
- Why It’s Essential: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from free radicals, brightens your complexion, and boosts collagen production.
- Our Pick: Apply a Vitamin C serum in the morning before sunscreen to enhance your skin’s natural defense against sun damage. Get: Revision Vitamin C, Renee Rouleau C&E, SkinBetter Alto Defense Serum
4. Exfoliating Scrub
- Why It’s Essential: Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, preventing clogged pores and revealing smoother, brighter skin. It’s particularly important in summer when sweat and sunscreen can build up on your skin.
- Our Pick: Choose a gentle scrub with natural exfoliants like sugar or jojoba beads, and use it 2-3 times a week. We like: Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Scrub/Mask
5. Lip Balm with SPF
- Why It’s Essential: Your lips are vulnerable to sunburn too! An SPF lip balm protects your lips from UV rays and keeps them hydrated. Make sure you reapply frequently!
- Our Pick: Look for a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and nourishing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil. You need to try the EltaMD UV Lip Balm
6. After-Sun Gel
- Why It’s Essential: Even with diligent sun protection, sometimes you get a bit too much sun. An after-sun gel soothes and repairs your skin, reducing redness and inflammation.
- Our Pick: Aloe vera gel is a classic choice for its cooling and healing properties. Keep it in the fridge for an extra soothing effect
7. Lightweight Foundation or Tinted Moisturizer
- Why It’s Essential: Heavy makeup can feel suffocating in the heat. A lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer evens out your skin tone without clogging your pores.
- Our Pick: Choose a formula with SPF for added sun protection and a natural, dewy finish. Try the Revision Intellishade– Original and Matte
8. Face Mist
- Why It’s Essential: A hydrating face mist refreshes your skin and provides an instant moisture boost, perfect for hot summer days.
- Our Pick: Look for mists with ingredients like rose water, chamomile, or green tea for their soothing and hydrating properties. Get the Avene face mist
9. Anti-Pollution Cream
- Why It’s Essential: Summer activities often mean more exposure to environmental pollutants. An anti-pollution cream helps protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals and urban pollutants.
- Our Pick: Find a cream rich in antioxidants like Vitamin E and niacinamide to strengthen your skin’s barrier. Get your hands on Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Acid
10. Waterproof Makeup Remover
- Why It’s Essential: With all the sweat, sunscreen, and waterproof makeup, you need a powerful yet gentle makeup remover to cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
- Our Pick: A micellar water or oil-based cleanser can effectively remove waterproof makeup and impurities, leaving your skin clean and refreshed. Renee Rouleau Better Than Balm is our go-to!
Embrace the Glow
With these 10 summer skincare essentials, you’re well-equipped to face the heat and humidity while keeping your skin healthy and radiant. Remember, the key to great summer skin is protection, hydration, and a little extra care. So, stock up on these essentials, enjoy the sunshine, and let your skin glow with confidence all summer long.
Happy summer, and happy skincare!
Emily Johnston, PA-C
Emily Johnston, PA-C brings over a decade of expertise in cosmetic dermatology to Refine Aesthetics. Known for her meticulous approach, she is dedicated to delivering results that align with each patient’s unique vision, utilizing cutting-edge treatments to achieve natural-looking enhancements.
