5 essential summer skin care tips from the experts

Your summer beauty plan is sure to include clear, glowing skin. Especially since hot weather, humidity and excessive sun exposure can lead to clogged pores due to sweat, sunburn and dark spots. Therefore, you should intensify your skincare routine to prevent these common summer skin problems.

With commitment, the perfect skincare routine will work for you year-round, but there are a few tweaks you can make to help reduce the seasonal side effects that summer can leave on your skin.

That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best summer skin care tips from doctors. Read on to find out how to keep your skin looking its best throughout the summer season and beyond.

Increase your sun protection factor (SPF):

Dermatologists agree that proper UV protection is by far the most important step in any year-round skincare routine, but especially during the summer when the days are longer and you inevitably spend more time in the sun.

SPF should be applied daily to areas exposed to the sun which often include the face, neck, chest, ears and hands and it is especially important to reapply every two hours, or sooner if swimming or sweating, and spending time outdoors in the summer months.

It is also essential to apply adequate sunscreen to ensure that you receive adequate protection.

Follow the two-finger method when applying sunscreen to your face and neck. Put one strip of sunscreen on each of the index and middle finger, the appropriate amount for the face every day.

Make sure your sunscreen is SPF 30 or higher, and think about how much time you’ll be spending outdoors. Look for shade and try to avoid direct sunlight from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for outdoor activities when the UV rays are intense.

In addition to a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or more, we recommend taking a supplement that boosts UV protection.

Choosing the right moisturizer for summer:

Although you sweat more in summer, your skin needs more hydration. But since seasonal dryness is not as common in summer, you don’t need a rich cream like in winter.

Stay away from petroleum jelly and thick moisturizers, and opt for light moisturizers based on hyaluronic acid. These moisturizers are great for locking in moisture without feeling sticky and heavy

We recommend that you use a face mist to refresh the skin throughout the day as needed, as it reduces shine and narrows the size of pores.

Make sure you are using the right products for the summer:

Clogged pores can lead to breakouts in the summer, and an easy way to prevent sweat and oil from accumulating in your pores is to use non-comedogenic skincare and makeup products.

Look for products that do not clog pores, that is, products that do not cause or contribute to breakouts. Avoid deep conditioning or oily formulas during the summer months.

To help keep pores clean, those with acne and oily skin can incorporate ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur or niacinamide into their skincare routine. All of these ingredients help treat acne and are anti-inflammatory. And consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because some of them are not suitable for use.

Wash your face properly:

Since you sweat more during the summer months due to outdoor activities or just being more active, you should wash your entire face right up to your hairline, this area is usually overlooked, which can lead to pimples forming along the hairline or the outer edges of your face.

Summer is the time to use active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid lotion. These washes will open the pores and kill acne-causing bacteria.

Use retinoids in moderation:

Although there are no ingredients to stop using in the summer, you may find that you have to adjust how you use them. Retinoids are one of these ingredients.

Summer is the time when people start to notice more irritation from retinol/retinoids. Retinol and retinoids make you more sensitive to the sun. For this reason we recommend that you either reduce the frequency of use.

However, with extra sun protection you can continue to use retinoids or retinols. You can also use a retinoid lotion like Differin to regulate skin cell turnover and prevent clogged pores.

Enjoy the great weather you’ve been waiting for all year long with these skincare experts’ tips in mind.