Summer Skincare Tips: A Guide to Radiant and Glowing Skin

It is that time of the year when the sun is harsher and the climate is humid. You are replacing mid-day tea with refreshing lemonade. You are sweating excessively and feeling tired, especially if you are not drinking enough water. Other downsides that summer brings with itself are tans, uneven skin tone, sun spots, breakouts, dull skin, and the feeling of greasiness. Your skin is screaming for more protection and it becomes essential that you up your skincare regimen right away to avoid unwanted summer skin concerns.

We are here to tell you about some summer skincare tips.

Summer and our skin:

During summer, when the weather gets warmer and humidity increases, our skin's sebaceous glands start producing a little excess sebum. The oil that secretes frequently gets stuck on the skin's surface, leading to greasiness, oiliness, and blocked pores. 

When our skin is exposed to the sun's harmful UV rays, melanin production increases in order to protect our skin from sun damage. Melanin has photoprotective properties, however, excess melanin results in a darker skin tone and sun-tanned skin. 

Acne breakouts are one of the most common problems that happen in summer. Especially, people with oily skin are more prone to acne breakouts as dirt, oil, and bacteria mix with sweat and cause pored to get clogged. Other skin concerns that summer brings us are itchy skin, rashes, sunburn, dull skin, and prickly heat. Here are some summer skincare tips that will help you maintain your skin’s health and glow. 

Summer skincare tips:

Choose the right cleanser: Since in summers your skin tends to produce more sebum, it can look more greasy and oily. This means a direct invitation to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Choose a cleanser that will deep clean your skin to rid of dirt, oil, and grime. If you have a dry skin type, opt for a mild non-foaming cleanser that is alcohol-free and pH-balanced. If you have an oily skin type, look for ingredients like charcoal or coffee in your cleansers. 

Refreshing Toner: Many of us simply eliminate toner from our skincare routine. However, toner proves to be nothing less than a savior in summers. Toner effectively closes the open pores thus reducing the risk of acne and breakouts due to clogged pores. Use cucumber or aloe vera-based toners because they are lighter, hydrating, and refreshing.

Lightweight moisturizer: It is a common belief to remove moisturizer from the summer skincare routine. However, according to experts, moisturizers actually reestablish the outermost layer of the skin which is susceptible to damage. If you have oily skin, go for a gel-based moisturizer, and if you have dry skin, go for a moisturizer with a thicker consistency. Even better, if your moisturizer has SPF in it.

Suncreen suncreen and suncreen: Sunrays (both UV-A and UV-B) can harm your skin to a considerable extent and cause long-term damages like premature aging, age spots, wrinkles, and stubborn tan. A good sunblock with SPF 30 or more is vital for the summers. Sunscreen is a must even if you are indoors. If you are stepping out, make sure to reapply sunscreen every few hours. Apply sunscreen not just on your face but also on all the exposed body parts.

Exfoliate twice a week: The common frequency to use an exfoliator is twice a week. However, in hotter months, skin tends to get drier and dull. To remove dry dead skin cells, open clogged pores, and rejuvenate the skin, summer demands an increase in the frequent need for exfoliation. Especially, if you have an oily skin type, then it is recommended that you add more exfoliation in your summer skincare routine, to open up the blocked pores and remove oil and dirt that results in acne. Make sure to exfoliate the front and back of the neck and the lips. Don't over-exfoliate as it may result in brushes. 

Keep your skin hydrated: Hydration is very important during summer. You can include hydrating face masks after cleansing your face at night for some extra hydration while you sleep. You can also carry hydrating facial mists to freshen your skin at regular intervals. 

Go light on the makeup: Summer is not the time for heavy makeup. Heavy makeup prevents the skin from breathing adding to that is the humidity and the heat which also impact the skin's ability to breathe. Heavy foundation and makeup products can clog the pores of the skin and trap dirt, oil, and other impurities leading to breakouts. You can consider using a tinted moisturizer and a tinted lip balm for a simple, natural, and minimal makeup look. 

Other important summer skincare tips:

• Increase your water intake, as, during summers, your body demands more water than usual to make up for the sweat that you shed.
• Wear breathable fabrics, preferably cotton, to avoid any sweat trap or skin irritation.
• Do not forget your eyes, lips, and feet. Exfoliate your lips and feet often. You can try eye masks or go for traditional ones: sliced cucumber. 
• Take a shower twice a day to feel fresh throughout the day
• Avoid fast food and sugary drinks. Add more fruits and veggies to your diet.
• If you are outdoors, try to stay in the shade as much as possible.