Summer is a magical time of year. School is out, the sun sets later, and outdoor activities are in full swing. But summer also means heat, sweat, and lots of time in the sun, which can be rough on your skin.
That can make finding a balance between enjoying the summertime and keeping up with a skincare routine challenging. When it’s creeping up to the triple-digits outside, you need products you can rely on. Here are a few to build the perfect routine.
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Acne Prevention
Getting a zit never happens at a good time. You always seem to be preparing for an event, having a first date, or are heading on a beach vacation. Then, all of a sudden, a breakout shows up out of nowhere. Of course, it’s hard to eliminate breakouts completely. However, you can cut down on the likelihood of acne by ensuring you have preventative products in your summer routine.
Look for products that incorporate acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. These penetrate your skin and help remove dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells that can cause breakouts. The best part? Salicylic acid can be found in several products that are relatively easy to add to your routine. From toners to serums to face washes, there are many options to pick from.
Another effective way to prevent breakouts is by taking acne medication. These prescriptions are tailored to you and your skin’s needs and can be topical creams or oral antibiotics. If you’re struggling with acne, this might be the best option. After all, clear skin makes surviving the summer heat that much easier.
Sun Protection
Summer is the season of being outdoors. So, whether hiking, biking, or lying by the pool or beach, your summer skin care routine needs sun protection. It’s just about finding the right one for your skin.
For starters, you’ll want to find options with SPF 30 or above. These provide ample sun protection and block up to 97% of UVB rays, which can cause sunburn and skin cancer. From there, the formula type is more so based on your skin type than anything else. For example, oily-skinned people will probably want a mattifying option, while those with dry skin may opt for something more glowy.
Reapplication is vital during hot months, too. To get the most protection possible, you’ll want to reapply your sunscreen every two hours or so. It’s especially important to reapply if you’ll be in direct sun or spending time in the water. Even though sunscreens are often formulated to last during these activities, they’ll likely wear off quicker. And having painful, burnt skin is no way to live during summer.
Cleansing Products
When you’re layering sunscreen with makeup, your face has several products on it. Add in sweat, oil, and dirt over the course of the day, and you’ve got a breeding ground for breakouts. That’s why cleansing is another crucial step during summer to keep your skin in its best shape.
The process of cleansing your skin can include a few steps. One of the most popular and thorough options is double cleansing. This involves melting away makeup or skincare with a makeup-removing towel or cleansing balm. From there, you’ll use a gel or foaming cleanser to remove anything left over. This approach ensures your skin is as clean as possible before you move on to the rest of your routine.
While it’s best to fully cleanse every day, it’s not always manageable. If you’re short on time or have had a long day, a single cleanse is better than nothing. That helps ensure you remove the dirt and products that have sat on your face all day without requiring too much time. Ultimately, having a cleansing step in your routine will leave you with healthier, better skin.
Moisturizer
Summer heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your skin and body, causing dehydration easier than in other seasons. That means a higher likelihood of unsightly dry patches. However, you can fight the effects of summer with the proper hydration routine.
Start by ensuring you’re consuming enough fluids throughout the day. A good hydration rule of thumb is to divide your weight in half and drink that many ounces each day. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, you’d want to consume 75 ounces of water. That coupled with the water you can get from food should help you feel hydrated and keep your skin in good shape. Of course, if you workout or sweat a lot, you’ll likely need more water to stay hydrated.
Then, you can look at ways to incorporate hydration topically on your skin. Using a good moisturizer can help counteract the dryness you may deal with during summertime. Feel like run-of-the-mill moisturizer isn’t enough? Explore healing ointments or thicker creams formulated for extremely dry skin. These can give your skin the moisture it needs to survive the summer heat.
Summer Skin Never Felt (or Looked) This Great
Ultimately, the best summer routine is what works for you and leaves you with skin you love. So, test out different combinations until you find a routine that does just that. Regardless of where you land, you can know that you’re doing your best for your skin all summer long.
