THE BEST SUMMER SKIN CARE SWAPS ACCORDING TO EXPERTS
With Summer well under way, you may have noticed that your moisturiser is slipping and sliding, your SPF is piling and skin sensitivity has reared its unwanted head. With searches for ‘retinol and sun exposure’ up 4,250% and ‘how much retinol to use’ up by 1,100% in the last 30 days alone, there’s certainly an appetite for understanding why your everyday routine may need a mix up as the mercury rises.
But why does this happen and what can we do? Well, we sat down with Elizabeth Japal — a pharmacists and founder of The Derm Lab, to understand what changes we should make to our skin care to ensure that our complexions look picture perfect from hot commutes to lounging on deck chairs and beyond.
In This Article:
- Why You Should Change Your Skin Care Routine In The Summer
- What Skin Care Changes You Should Make In The Summer
- Elizabeth Japal's Summer Skin Care Do's and Don'ts
- The Best Skin Care Routine According To Our Expert
WHY YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE IN THE SUMMER
“As the seasons change, so do your skin’s needs.” begins Elizabeth. “In warmer weather, skin tends to be oilier, sweat more, and is exposed to higher levels of UV and environmental stress. This means you can usually pare back heavier products and focus on lightweight hydration and strong sun protection. SPF becomes your top priority, and formulas that support the skin barrier are essential. If you don’t adapt your routine, you may experience clogged pores, irritation, or premature ageing.” she explains.
WHAT SKIN CARE CHANGES SHOULD YOU MAKE IN THE SUMMER
“If your skin is prone to sensitivity or you're spending prolonged time outdoors, consider reducing certain active ingredients – especially retinols, AHAs and BHAs.” Elizabeth tells us. “While you don’t necessarily need to stop them altogether, they do require more caution. If you want to continue using retinol through summer though, apply it only at night and follow with a cooling, non-irritating moisturiser to support the skin barrier. Most importantly, wear a high-quality broad-spectrum SPF 50 every single day, and reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors. If you're heading off on holiday or expecting intense sun exposure, it’s still wise to take a short break from retinol to avoid overexposure and irritation.”
And what about moisturisers? “Heavy and rich formulas can feel suffocating in the heat so opt for lighter, gel or water-based versions infused with hyaluronic acid or glycerine. These still lock in hydration without clogging pores.” says Elizabeth.
With hydration a key skin care must-have, and hyaluronic acid the number one hydration hero, it may be worth introducing a replenishing toner, essence or a sheet mask in your routine to keep your complexion happy and healthy throughout the heat. Elizabeth also suggests adding antioxidants into your summer skin care repertoire. “Antioxidants like vitamin C, niacinamide, and green tea extract work as a second layer of defence under your SPF. While they don’t replace sun protection, they support your skin’s health and resilience, keeping it strong, calm, and radiant in the face of summer stressors. A lightweight antioxidant serum in the morning pairs perfectly with SPF.”
ELIZABETH JAPAL’s SUMMER SKIN CARE DO’s & DON’Ts
Now we understand why we need to reconsider our skin care routine during the hotter weather, let’s get into some of the dos and don’ts to ensure our skin looks gloriously glowy all summer long.
1.Prioritise SPF — use a broad spectrum SPF50 and reapply every two hours.
2.Apply a water or gel-based moisturiser packed with hyaluronic acid that’s oil-free and noncomedogenic.
3.Reduce your use of retinols, AHAs and face peels — try switching to gentler alternatives like PHAs, niacinamide or azelaic acid instead.
4.Cleanse twice daily and use a gentle, non-stripping face wash.
5.Carry a cooling face mist to refresh your complexion on the go.
1.Don’t forget about your lips, neck and hands when using your SPF. Look for nourishing lip balms that also protect and re-apply your favourite body SPFs from head to toe.
2.Forget to keep on top of hydration — drink at least 2 litres of water a day!
3.Try a strong exfoliating solution on your skin, especially if you're on holiday and spending lots of time in the sun. Keep your routine gentle and moisturising.
THE BEST SKIN CARE ROUTINE ACCORDING TO OUR EXPERT
Morning Routine:
1.Start with a gentle cleanser: To refresh skin and remove overnight build-up.
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2.Then, pat on a Vitamin C serum: This will help brighten, protect, and even out skin tone.
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3. Next, apply a lightweight Moisturiser: This should be hydrating but non-greasy.
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4.And to finish? Your SPF 50: Ideally, this should be broad-spectrum and packed with antioxidants.
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Evening Routine:
1.Begin with a double cleanse: use micellar water and a balm/ gel or cream cleanser to soothe your skin and remove buildup.
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2.Then apply a hydrating serum: Look for versions powered by hyaluronic acid, niacinamide or peptides
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3.Finally, lock in moisture with a barrier supporting moisturiser: a nourishing but breathable formula works best to stop your skin feeling overwhelmed.
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4.And if you want to treat your skin? Try a calming overnight hydration mask once a week for a little indulgence.
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From ditching the heavy hydrators to SPF-ing like a pro, you now know the expert-approved summer skin care swaps to ensure your complexion is left feeling bright and breezy all summer long.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
