SUMMER BEAUTY SECRETS

  • 21 May - 27 May, 2022
  • Mag The Weekly
  • Beauty

While a perfect skin-care routine will work for you year-round, these are the important steps you should keep top of mind as the weather gets warmer.

SPF, SPF, SPF

It's the most important, fundamental, don't-leave-home-without-it tip: Wear sunscreen. Experts strictly recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin. Don't forget about hands, feet, ears, and lips.

Even though it's our first tip on this list, make sure sunscreen is the last step in your skincare routine. It is also important to note that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours, so make sure to pack extra sunscreen for longer summer days outdoors. That means half a teaspoon for your face and neck and a full teaspoon per limb at first and again when reapplying. Pro tip: Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to reapply.

Lighten up your skincare routine

If you're not wearing a winter coat, why should your skin? In the summer, just like your wardrobe, your skincare routine may need to be a little more lightweight. The heat and humidity of summer means you can swap out a heavier cleanser (think cream or oil cleanser) in favour of a gentle, foaming option.

Adopt a dual-purpose moisturiser

To help lighten things up, you could consider switching to a combination moisturiser and sunscreen during the summer. A lightweight moisturiser with SPF of 30 or higher may be plenty for most people, as long as you're applying a generous amount and reapplying every couple of hours, as with a regular sunscreen. Thicker moisturisers can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and acne; especially if you have acne-prone or oily skin, losing one skincare step with a combination moisturiser/SPF can help keep skin clear.

But don't stop moisturising completely

That extra layer of sweat on your face does not count as a moisturiser. Despite the weather being hot and humid, you still need to moisturize. Even if your skin already feels oily, you should always follow cleansing with a moisturiser.

Moisturisers reestablish the stratum corneum, your outermost layer of the skin, which protects from harmful pollutants and chemicals and prevents further irritation or dryness. This is where that combination moisturiser/SPF comes in: Thanks to its lightweight texture, it will help keep that outer layer nourished without feeling too heavy on your skin.

Invest in a good vitamin C serum

Vitamin C is great year-round, but all the more important in the summer. Vitamin C helps prevent hyperpigmentation, improve the appearance of fine lines, and can help with collagen production. Layer a few drops on your skin between cleansing and moisturiser.

Don't forget to exfoliate

Dermatologists are often reminding us not to over-exfoliate, but in the summertime, 'tis the season to slough away. If you have oily skin, incorporate more exfoliation into your skincare routine. That doesn't mean a daily dose of all your favourite acids, but try slowly increasing the amount of days you exfoliate per week.

We recommend alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) pads to open up blocked pores and remove oils that result in acne. Plus, they feel nice and soothing on stressed-out summer skin. Just remember: AHAs can make skin more photosensitive, making sunscreen application even more important.

Cut down your tub time

Between workouts, beach days, and plain old summer sweat, many of us shower more than once a day during the summer. We recommend keeping showers short, around four to five minutes. Over-showering, or showering in water that is too hot, can lead to over-drying your skin, leading to inflammation and even summertime eczema.

Make sure your makeup is non-comedogenic

Take a close look at your makeup product labels and only keep those that are non-comedogenic. That's a fancy word for a product formulated without pore-clogging ingredients. Especially over the summer, wear makeup that is not going to occlude your skin. That might include options like a powder sunscreen, an oil-free primer or a lightweight foundation.

Stay in the shade

Experts recommend wearing sun-protective clothing, wide-brim hats, and sunglasses in the sun. We don't expect you to wear a long-sleeve shirt for a hot day at the beach, but be mindful to expose as little of your body as possible to direct sunlight. That might mean sitting underneath an umbrella, wearing an extra-large hat, or avoiding the midday sun.

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