Summer Skincare

With heat, humidity, and more time spent having fun in the sun, summertime may mean that you need to tweak your skincare routine.

Here are a few ways to adjust your skincare routine for summer!

Switch to a lighter moisturizer
With heat and extra sweat, some people want a more lightweight moisturizer in the summertime. Often too-rich moisturizers mixed with increased sebum release can result in clogged pores. 

Try a different cleanser
A cleanser that leaves you with that “squeaky clean” feeling in the summer after you've been sweating is very appealing. Instead of a foaming cleanser, try a gentle exfoliating cleanser such as Lytic Gel Cleanser daily or several times weekly to break down build-up from excess sweat and oil. It is great for the face, body and can be used as a clarifying scalp shampoo! The cooling menthol sensation is addictive! 

Take a break from lasers and peels
Many aggressive lasers and peels can leave skin vulnerable and photosensitive. While SPF is a given, many of us can’t avoid sun exposure entirely in the summer. Since most of us don’t apply SPF reapplications frequently enough or the correct amount — even with the best intentions — it’s best to hold off on any treatments that would compromise your skin if UV was unavoidable. Instead, focus on gentle, barrier-supporting therapies that can maintain your results throughout the summer months. 

Find a SPF you like to wear
While I hope you wear SPF year-round, you must find one you like for the summer. That’s because adequate protection for the summertime requires more product than many realize (about two finger lengths for the face and neck) and more reapplications (about every 2 hours). Take the time to find one you will use, and use it properly. Daily Shield Tinted SPF or Ultra Shield SPF are two of my favorites. I like a mineral powder brush on SPF or a sunscreen stick for reapplication. 

What about after-sun care? 
While we know the dangers of UV exposure, we can’t avoid the sun altogether. Be sure to have healing, hydrating, and barrier-supporting products on hand to eliminate inflammation in sun-compromised skin. Intense Defense Serum, Enriched Firming Mask, and Rescue are my picks. Put them in the fridge for a soothing treat! 


Hold off or limit specific actives
It may not be the best time to introduce a powerful active — but at the very least, a “low and slow” approach is recommended for potentially sensitizing actives like retinoids, vitamin C (particularly ascorbic acid), and certain AHAs. 

Need help creating your perfect summertime skincare routine? Send me a message! ​