Warmer weather means more time outdoors, longer days and greater exposure to the sun. While summer is something to enjoy, the change in weather can also affect how your skin looks and feels. Heat, sweat, sun exposure and air conditioning can all influence your skin, which is why it can be helpful to adjust your skincare routine as the seasons change.
A good summer skincare routine doesn't need to be complicated. The key is to keep your skin clean and hydrated while protecting it from the sun. From lightweight moisturisers to daily SPF, here are the steps you can take to keep your skin looking and feeling its best throughout the summer.
Why Change Your Skincare Routine in Summer?
Your skin's needs can change throughout the year. During summer, warmer temperatures can mean increased sweating and oil production, while spending more time outdoors can expose your skin to more UV radiation.
Products that felt comfortable during winter may also start to feel too rich or heavy as temperatures rise. Switching to lighter formulations while maintaining hydration and sun protection can help keep your skin feeling balanced.
You don't necessarily need to replace everything in your bathroom cabinet. A few simple changes can be enough to create an effective skincare routine for summer.
Step 1: Cleanse Your Skin
Cleansing should remain the first step in your morning and evening routine. During summer, it can be particularly useful for removing sweat, excess oil and impurities from the surface of your skin.
In the evening, cleansing also removes sunscreen, makeup and the build-up of dirt from throughout the day.
Choose a cleanser that suits your skin type rather than simply opting for the strongest formula available. If your skin becomes oilier during summer, a lightweight gel cleanser may be a good choice. Dry or sensitive skin may benefit from a gentler, hydrating cleanser that doesn't leave the skin feeling tight.
Step 2: Add an Antioxidant Serum
Antioxidants are a useful addition to a summer skincare routine because they can help protect the skin against oxidative stress caused by environmental factors.
Vitamin C is one of the most popular antioxidant skincare ingredients. As well as offering antioxidant benefits, vitamin C can support a brighter and more even-looking complexion.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is one option from the existing Flawless Body range that can be incorporated into a morning routine before moisturiser and sunscreen.
If you're already using other active ingredients, there's no need to introduce everything at once. A simple routine that you can use consistently is usually preferable to layering numerous products that your skin may not need.
Step 3: Keep Your Skin Hydrated
It's easy to assume that moisturiser isn't necessary when your skin feels oilier during warm weather. However, hydration remains an important part of your summer skincare routine.
If your usual moisturiser feels too rich, consider switching to a lighter lotion, gel or fluid rather than skipping the step completely.
Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid can also help support skin hydration without requiring a particularly heavy formula.
If you're unsure whether your skin is genuinely dry or simply lacking water, read our guide to the difference between dry and dehydrated skin.
Remember that the right moisturiser will depend on your individual skin type. Someone with naturally dry skin may still need a richer product during summer, while oily or combination skin may feel more comfortable with something lightweight.
Step 4: Finish Your Morning Routine With Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most important parts of any summer skincare routine. Your morning routine should finish with broad-spectrum sun protection before you head outside.
There are now plenty of facial sunscreens available with lightweight textures, so wearing SPF doesn't have to mean covering your face in a thick or greasy cream.
For lightweight hydration, Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF50+ combines high sun protection with a lightweight, hydrating formulation.
Another option is Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF50, which provides sun protection alongside a sheer tint to help even the appearance of the complexion.
SkinCeuticals also offers facial SPF products that can be incorporated as the final step in your morning routine.
Not sure what type of sunscreen you should choose? Read our guide to chemical vs mineral sunscreen to understand the differences between the two.
Should Moisturiser or Sunscreen Go First?
If you're using separate products, moisturiser will generally form part of your skincare routine before your sunscreen.
Allow your moisturiser to settle before applying your SPF as the final skincare step before makeup.
If you're still unsure about the correct order, read our guide to whether you should apply moisturiser or sunscreen first.
Step 5: Reapply Your Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen in the morning shouldn't necessarily be the last time you think about SPF that day.
If you're spending extended periods outdoors, sunscreen needs to be reapplied according to the instructions for the product you're using. Reapplication is particularly important after swimming, sweating or towelling your skin.
This is worth remembering on holidays, at the beach or whenever you're spending much of the day outside.
Sunscreen should also be used alongside other sensible sun-protection measures. Seek shade when the sun is particularly strong and consider clothing, sunglasses and a hat to reduce direct sun exposure.
Step 6: Give Your Skin Extra Hydration When It Needs It
Hot weather, sun exposure and air conditioning can sometimes leave skin feeling dehydrated. If this happens, you can give your routine an extra hydration boost rather than simply applying heavier products.
A hydrating serum can easily be incorporated beneath your moisturiser, while an occasional hydrating mask may be useful when your skin feels particularly dry or tight.
Medik8 H.E.O. Mask is designed to support hydration and can be used as an additional treatment when your skin needs it.
The important thing is to respond to your skin rather than following a rigid seasonal routine. If your skin already feels comfortable and hydrated, there's no need to add extra steps simply because it's summer.
Summer Skincare Tips for Healthy-Looking Skin
Your daily products are only one part of looking after your skin during warmer weather. A few simple summer skincare tips can make your routine easier to maintain.
Try to avoid spending long periods in direct sunlight when the sun is particularly strong and seek shade where possible. Wearing a hat and sunglasses can provide additional protection for your face and the delicate skin around your eyes.
Don't forget areas beyond your face either. Your neck, chest, ears and other exposed areas also need appropriate sun protection.
Your lips can become dry during warm weather too, particularly after spending lots of time outside. Keeping a lip balm to hand can help maintain moisture, while an SPF lip product can provide additional protection when you're outdoors.
If pigmentation is a concern, sun protection becomes particularly important. UV exposure can contribute to the appearance of uneven pigmentation and dark spots. If you're struggling with uneven skin tone, read our guide on how to get rid of hyperpigmentation.
What About Niacinamide During Summer?
Niacinamide is another versatile ingredient that can fit well into a summer skincare routine.
It can help support the skin barrier and is commonly found in products designed for hydration, oil control and uneven-looking skin. That can make it particularly useful if your skin tends to become oilier as temperatures increase.
For example, some SkinCeuticals SPF formulations contain niacinamide alongside their other active ingredients.
If you're considering adding it to your routine, read our guide to what niacinamide does for your skin to learn more about its benefits and how to use it.
How to Look After Your Skin on a Summer Holiday
Going away doesn't mean you need to abandon your usual skincare routine. In fact, increased sun exposure, swimming and changes in climate make maintaining a few basic steps particularly useful.
You don't need to pack your entire bathroom cabinet. Focus on the essentials: cleanser, any serum you regularly use, moisturiser and plenty of sunscreen. Travel-size containers can make it easier to take your usual products with you.
If you're heading somewhere hot, consider whether your usual moisturiser will feel comfortable in the new climate. A lighter product may be more practical during the day, particularly underneath SPF.
A water-resistant sunscreen can also be useful if you're spending time around a pool or at the beach, although it will still need to be reapplied as directed.
The Heliocare range includes a variety of formulations for different skin types and preferences. If you're unfamiliar with the brand, read our guide to Heliocare sunscreen and how it works before choosing a product.
Find the Right Products for Your Summer Skincare Routine
The best summer skincare routine is one that works for your individual skin and is simple enough to follow consistently.
Start with the essentials: cleanse your skin, maintain hydration and use appropriate sun protection every day. You can then add targeted products such as antioxidant or hydrating serums depending on your skin type and concerns.
Flawless Body stocks skincare from brands including Heliocare, SkinCeuticals, Obagi and Medik8, with cleansers, serums, moisturisers and sunscreens that can be incorporated into your routine throughout the warmer months.
By choosing products that suit your skin and making sun protection a priority, you can keep your complexion feeling comfortable, hydrated and protected throughout summer.