These hot skincare tips for summer are just what you need for carefree fun in the sun.
Skin changes with the seasons and so should your skincare. Humid weather can lead to bacterial infections due to sweat, clogged pores and acne breakouts. Air conditioning indoors can dehydrate the skin. Sun overexposure causes damage that lead to wrinkles and accelerated signs of ageing. So each season comes with its set rules of skincare. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to enjoy summer with proper and consistent skin TLC.
1. SPF
It should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway… Got to protect your skin from sunburn, premature ageing (wrinkles, dark spots and the breakdown of collagen that leads to saggy skin), and the threat of cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that day to day use of SPF 15 can decrease an individual’s risk of melanoma by 50% and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by around 40%.
Using superior formulations of course will shield your skin more when outdoors. For example, IMAGE Skincare’s Prevention+ range gives you options for matte and tinted finishes which offer broad-spectrum protection against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Plus, each bottle contains Digital Aging Defense™ — a form of dual protection against blue light and environmental skin stressors that cause dryness, discoloration and other signs of ageing. The products are also reef-friendly and use only natural skincare and sun block ingredients.
Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after you sweat from a workout or after a swim.
Read 6 Dangerous Sunscreen Mistakes
View this post on Instagram
2. Tweak your skincare routine
Your skin conditions and concerns can change with the seasons. For summer, you might experience dry, irritated skin. Or, the change to hotter temperatures can trigger acne from sweat and overproduction of sebum. Then, there’s melasma or patches of discolouration on your skin that is caused by sun damage.
Take some time to evaluate your skincare routine and change to a gentler cleanser and lukewarm water in the morning and at night (more on this later). This means opting for a gel or water-based cleanser rather than heavier creams you might have used in winter. Select toners that help prevent sweat and oil from clogging pores. Also, edit your skincare products for the season and add more antioxidant ingredients (see #4 below) into your regimen.
Your skin will benefit from products rich in Vitamin C which “hunts” free radicals and prevents sun-induced hyperpigmentation from UV rays. Another important ingredient to work into your skincare routine are Skin Omegas. Skin supplements are a great idea to get the correct dosage for what our skin needs on a daily basis. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce the skin’s sensitivity to harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Check your makeup too, and switch to ones with SPF properties. Think, light… Going out with full makeup under the blazing sun can suffocate your skin. Go with a matte product that won’t crease as you enjoy your day.
3. Wear sunglasses, and a hat
Skin around the eye is very delicate so wearing sunnies with 100% UV protection help as a physical barrier from the harsh rays of the sun. Prolonged and direct exposure to UV rays can harm the cells in our eyes and cause long-term issues like: cataracts, damage to the macula (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye) that results in blurry vision, and “sunburn of the cornea.” Yes, that’s right… your eyes can also get sun burnt!
Protect not only your eyes, but also your neck, ears, scalp and face with a wide-brimmed hat when out in the sun. Dark or bright colours absorb UV rays instead of your skin. But also think about the construction of the material, whether loosely or tightly woven. TIP: hold the material up to the light and if you can see through, that’s no good.
4. Hydrate topically with Hyluaronic acid but also up the water intake internally
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) has many skin benefits, including hydration, plumping and smoothing wrinkles. In summer, HA helps to hold moisture within the skin up to 6000 times it’s molecular weight. While it is naturally produced by our bodies, factors like ageing, diet, genetics and so on, can affect how much of it goes to your skin. This is why we need to both hydrate internally and topically as an active ingredient in your skincare. Despite being an “acid”, it does not act to exfoliate and can be used for all skin types and in multiple times a day. Oily skin can also benefit from HA without the grease — it’s water-based!
An extra serving of fruits and drinking plenty of water helps to also keep the skin hydrated. If you can, avoid caffeinated drinks as these are diuretics and can cause hydration loss through urine. When exercising or spending extended time in the sun, water is still the best overall choice to keep hydrated. Nevertheless, adding fruits and vegetables to your meals and as nibbles during the day also makes a big difference. Watermelon, rock melon and strawberries are high in water content. Grapes, apples and pears are also good choices. Vegetables like cucumbers and iceberg lettuce, as well as celery, tomatoes and zucchini should be typical summer fare.
5. Don’t exfoliate before going into the sun
Over-exfoliation can cause irritation, redness, and worse, a broken skin barrier (thus, loss of moisture). During the summer months, your skin is prone to creating more oil, which means your pores are likely to become congested. Oftentimes, exfoliants with glycolic and lactic acid are recommended to tighten and tone pores. However, these can cause sensitivity when skin is exposed to the sun. Opt to exfoliate at night time.
6. Don’t forget the lip area
Your lips need love and attention too! Our absolute summer fave is the IMAGE Skincare Ormedic Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex. Not only does it softens and moisturises the lips with a light formula of avocado oil and Vitamin E, it also helps to plump for a full appearance. Oh and just as a fun fact, Hailey Bieber is a fan of the Sheer Pink version.
View this post on Instagram
7. Cleanse morning and night
It’s inevitable to sweat during the scorching heat of summer. More sweat means an overproduction of sebum (an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin). It functions to moisturise and protect the skin naturally. However, too much of it can make dirt cling to the skin and lodge into pores. Cleansing the skin at least twice a day or after your workout will help keep a clean and fresh complexion throughout the summer. How? A facial wash can rid the skin of impurities, wash away sebum and also remove dead skin cells. The stifling heat can also make the skin dull and a good cleanse is sure to put the dewy glow back on.
And there you go… embrace the adventures of summer with glowing, fresh skin throughout the season!
For more intensive Summer Skincare advice, here’s a downloadable infographic to help inspire you in your Summer Glow Up journey.
Or phone us on (02) 9634 2411 or send us a message on salon@templeskincare.com.au for more skincare help and treatments.