The Best Summer Skincare Tips From An Esthetician
Esthetician-Approved Guide to Summer Skincare
Your go-to skincare routine may need a little tweaking as the weather gets warmer. Here are important steps you should keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Dermatologists, estheticians and skincare professionals manage to keep their skin clean and healthy all season long. Yes, it's a part of their job but even they are taking extra precautions during the summertime to prevent breakouts and sun damage. As summer rolls around we start think about skincare questions like, "Why does my skin feel oilier?", or "How many times do I need to re-apply sunscreen?" (Definitely a few times). Our founder, medical esthetician and skincare expert Victoria weighs in to give you the inside scoop on her best summer skincare tips to keep your skin glowing all summer long.
1. SPF
Would this really be a summer skincare guide without mentioning SPF? The fundamental skincare tip for your routine (year-round!): Wear your sunscreen. She recommends a broad-spectrum mineral formula with a minimum of SPF 30 or higher. Not just any mineral formula will cut it. Make sure there is at least 17% Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide in the formula. Any percentage below that will not give you adequate protection. Apply to all exposed skin: face, neck, hands, ears, and other areas of the body that are not protected by clothing. Re-apply every 2 hours or after getting out of the water if it's a beach or pool day.
2. Keep Your Routine Simple
The heat and humidity mean you may need to lighten up your skincare routine in the summer. Avoid overloading your skin with tons of products and keep it simple with your skincare staples: cleanser, toner, moisturizer and sunscreen. Making simple swaps can be using a gel, foaming cleanser (our Olea Cleansing Gel is a perfect option!). Save your heavy creams for the fall and stick to lightweight moisturizers.
3. Don't Skip Moisturizer
You may think the extra sweat and oil can act as additional hydration but it does not count as a moisturizer. Even in the hot and humid weather your skin still needs to be moisturized. If you don't follow your cleansing routine with it, your skin will produce more oil to over-compensate for the lack of moisture and that's when breakouts and irritation start to arise. Look for lightweight formulas (our Olea Cream is the solution) that are packed with nourishing ingredients to keep your skin's moisture levels balanced.
4. Midday Skin Refresh
Being out in the sun all day exposes your skin to UV damage, UV-induced free radicals, the usual pollution and increased sweat levels. Use a calming facial mist to cool your skin during the day. Bring it with you on the go to spritz your face as needed. Rather than using the typical water facial mist spray, opt for a facial mist that is filled with powerful ingredients. Our Balancing Essence is the perfect midday pick-me-up to cool down while being filled with antibacterial and protective skincare ingredients to keep your skin healthy.
5. Keep Up Your Exfoliation
For our oily skin guys and gals, you still need to exfoliate your skin! You may need to incorporate more exfoliation into your skincare routine to a couple of nights per week. This will open up blocked pores, remove oils, bacteria or dirt trapped in them that can result in acne. This also goes for dry and sensitive skin types. You still need to exfoliate at least once a week and opt for gentle exfoliants to not irritate the skin further. Our Micro Exfoliant is a great option for all skin types!
6. Use Non-Comedogenic Makeup
A pro tip that can be practiced year-round (especially for acne-prone skin types), take a close look at your makeup products. The summer heat and sweat mixed with makeup can lead to breakouts. Take preventative steps by avoiding face makeup products that are formulated with pore-clogging ingredients. Examples of makeup ingredients that can cause breakouts: silicones, lanolin, coconut oil. Opt for makeup lightweight products and formulas to keep the skin breathable.
7. Seek Shade
Avoid sun damage by staying in the shade. Wear sun-protective clothing: wide-brim hats and sunglasses. Keep your beach chaise under an umbrella and avoid being in direct sunlight for long periods of time (especially midday).
