You escaped the dull and chilly air of the winter, and you are ready for a season full of outdoor fun. Families will flock to resorts, parks, and beaches for a chance to bask in the sun this summer. Homeowners will spend hours each week tending to their lawns and gardens. Recreational sports will be in full swing. While you enjoy all your favorite summer activities, your skin will be up against the heat and humidity.
Skincare might seem like a luxury to some people, but it is a necessity, and it does not have to be costly or time-consuming. It is important to take care of your skin in every season and climate throughout the year. However, you may want to adapt your routine to better fit your skin’s needs during the hotter months. In this post, you will find out tips for an easy and beneficial skincare routine to try this summer.
6-Step Skincare Routine for Summer
The products you use for your skincare routine can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your skin, but skincare is also about your daily habits and how they affect your skin and body. This 6-step skincare routine will help you learn about beneficial products and ingredients, as well as helpful tips to keep your skin glowing all summer.
1. Cleanse
Cleansing your skin is one of the most important steps of your routine. In the summer, it is easy to get sweaty and oily throughout the day, which can clog your pores and cause breakouts. However, it is also important not to overwash your skin and strip it of its natural protective barrier. During the summer, you should aim to shower just once per day with lukewarm water for less than 10 minutes. Long, hot showers can cause your skin to dry out and feel dull.
On the other hand, you should be cleansing your face twice a day, morning and night. This helps get rid of any excess oils that build up during the night and clean off makeup and dirt that accumulates throughout the day. Skincare experts recommend gentle, lightweight cleansers in the summer, such as water-based or foaming products. While cleansing, never scrub or rub your face with force. Use your fingertips with gentle, circular motions as you wash, then rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
2. Apply a Serum
There are numerous types of facial serums that can benefit your skin. The key to choosing the right serum is to look at the active ingredients and the benefits those offer. During the summer, the sun’s powerful UV rays are especially strong, and may increase the risk of sunburn, breakouts, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Harvard Health Publishing discusses Vitamin C as one of the best ingredients to use on your skin due to its ability to “slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.”
In addition to sun protection, Harvard Health Publishing states that Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can fight off environmental toxins and harmful substances that come into contact with your skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can control your skin’s excess oil production during the hot and humid weather. When using a Vitamin C serum or combining this ingredient with other products, your skin will be better protected from the negative effects of the summer climate.
3. Exfoliate
Another great step in your summer skincare routine is exfoliation. The excess oil and dead skin cells that build up in hot, moist air can clog up your pores and make your skin feel very heavy. Exfoliation will slough away the dead skin and help with acne so that your skin feels fresh and rejuvenated.
There are two types of exfoliation - physical and chemical. While physical exfoliation usually involves scrubbing with a sponge or brush, chemical exfoliation uses ingredients to gently dissolve the dead skin cells. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHA and BHA) as a means of chemically exfoliating your face. However, these are powerful ingredients that can be overused, so it is best to exfoliate just two or three times a week, and only at nighttime.
4. Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin is another very important step in your summer routine, even if you feel extra oily during the hot season. The effects of a hydrating moisturizer will not only keep your skin plump, but will also provide an extra barrier of protection against the elements. However, if you typically use a cream or oil-based moisturizer, you may want to switch to a more lightweight product for the summer that will not feel so heavy.
Moisturizing can be done twice a day, in the morning and at night, or after showering. Esthetician and Master Hydrafacialist Brittany Neill recommends finding a moisturizer with ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin to combat dry skin and keep your face feeling its best.
5. Use Sunscreen
If you only take away one of these steps for your skincare routine, it should be sunscreen. The sun’s UV rays are stronger during the summer and can cause painful sunburn within minutes. If sunburn does not bother you, consider the long-term damaging effects of sun exposure as well. Applying sunscreen should be your last step every single morning. It is also important to reapply your sunscreen every two hours that you will be in the sun. In fact, the sun’s UVA rays can penetrate through windows, so if you spend all day in the car or in a sunny office, you will still need protection.
When choosing a sunscreen, make sure to look for SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection. Caribbean Breeze offers both sunscreen lotion and spray-on products that meet these requirements, and they are water-resistant and reef-friendly as well. So, whether you are working or lounging by the ocean, we have you covered. When applying sunscreen, do not forget to cover all exposed skin, including your hands, feet, ears, and lips. Caribbean Breeze also offers SPF 50 lip protection in the form of vitamin-enriched lip balm.
6. Take Care!
Your skin’s health is directly tied to your overall health, and even if you use all the right products consistently, you should still adopt daily habits that help you look and feel your best. The summer sun can be draining and dehydrating, so make sure you increase your daily water intake and stay hydrated. In order to get all the vitamins and nutrients you need for peak energy, eat plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Your sleep should also be a top priority, so make sure you get 7-8 hours every night.
If you get a break from work or school during the summer, you might also get some stress relief. Enjoy it! Avoiding stress is important for everyone, because too much stress can contribute to decreased health that shows on your skin. Remember to avoid long, hot showers that can dry out your skin. If you like to get a tan during the summer, try a self-tanner instead of staying out in the sun too long.
Skincare Made Simple
Overall, taking care of your skin will benefit your health and appearance on a daily basis and contribute to better health for the long-term. If you already have a great skincare routine, try using more lightweight products during the summer months so that your skin does not feel so heavy and sticky. For those who would prefer a shorter skincare routine, start with the most basic steps - cleanse, moisturize, and use sunscreen. Caribbean Breeze is passionate about protecting you from the sun so that you can enjoy your summer with peace of mind.
If you are interested in learning more about protecting your skin from the sun, check out our other blog posts at CaribbeanBreeze.com. You can also get stocked up on all your sun-protection products by ordering them online! We offer sunscreen lotion, continuous mist, lip protection, and after-sun skin care for the whole family. If you have any questions, just reach out on our Contact Page, and our customer service team is happy to help! We hope you have a safe and wonderful summer.