Your Guide to Summer Skincare

Your skincare regime should evolve with the seasons; from the dry air of winter to the brightness of summer, the push and pull of nature can impact our epidermal layers. As the hot weather sets in, you’ll need to upgrade your summer skin routine to include stronger sunscreens and day-long SPF protection. While staying safe outdoors should be your number one priority, there are a few other basics to consider when it comes to healthy summer skin. Let’s take a look.

SPF is a skincare essential across every season. SPF - or Sun Protection Factor - creates a barrier between you and harmful UV rays, saving your skin from burns, sun damage and even cancer. Finding the best sunscreen really depends on your skin’s needs; higher SPF numbers mean maximum protection, while a light sunscreen can shield your skin and help prevent acne. No matter your skin type, it’s recommended that a water-resistant SPF30+ (or higher) sunscreen that protects against both UV and UVB rays be used during the harsher summer months. Face sunscreens can be tricky, so it’s worth considering the benefits of both chemical and mineral products.

Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier between the sun’s UV rays and your skin (ideal for those with allergies and sensitivities). They provide instant protection as soon as they’re applied, so there’s no need to wait before exposing your skin to the sun.

Chemical sunscreens act more like a filter, turning the UV rays into heat and releasing it back through the skin (perfect for those suffering from acne, oily skin or folliculitis). They typically need 30 minutes to absorb before providing protection, but they tend to offer greater water resistance.

Exfoliating, whether with a body exfoliator or face exfoliator, helps clear blocked pores, clean away grime and remove sweat from the skin. Doing so regularly primes the skin and allows other products to better penetrate, ensuring more is absorbed.

Cleansers play an important role in your summer skincare routine. Soaring temperatures cause us to sweat and rocketing humidity can lead to an overproduction of sebum (an oily, waxy substance). If overproduced, this extra oil and debris can lead to the three B’s — blocked pores, blackheads and breakouts. A face cleanser helps remove any build-up, neutralising oils and wiping away dirt while gently nourishing the skin. When selecting a cleanser, aim to choose one that suits your skin type and the individual needs of your skin; dry and sensitive skin benefits from a gentle hydrating cleanser, while oily skin requires a cleanser with strong oil-absorbing qualities.

Why moisturise when your skin is producing more oil during summer? While it sounds a little mixed up, more oil doesn’t equal increased hydration. During summer, your skin will increase the production of sebum to protect itself from drying out, so if it becomes oily, it’s often a sign that your skin is dehydrated. The intense heat of the Australian sun makes moisturising a must for three reasons:

1.To help keep your skin hydrated

2.Seals in moisture to fight dryness

3.Help minimise the signs of ageing

The best moisturiser for summer depends on your skin type. Dense creams may be too heavy if you have oily skin, while gel moisturisers are lightweight; double duty moisturisers (those packed with Vitamins) are perfect for those with sun damage, while those combating dryness should look for quick absorption and max hydration. Short on shelf space? Keep things lean with a SPF moisturiser and combine your sun protection with skin hydration.

Antioxidants protect the skin against harmful free radicals, like pollution and UV rays, and reduce the signs of ageing. Give your skin a boost over summer by incorporating more antioxidants into your skin regime, beginning with these two essentials:

● Vitamin C — Vitamin C serum improves the look of ageing skin by stimulating collagen production, brightening the skin and smoothing fine lines.

● Vitamin A — Vitamin A serum accelerates skin-cell renewal, promotes hydration, smooths fine lines and tackles acne.

While there’s no one size fits all skin types, these tips are a great starting point for taking care of your skin in summer.

Non-comedogenic Makeup

Non-comedogenic refers to specially formulated products that avoid blocking pores. Using non- comedogenic makeup during summer helps your skin breathe while minimising the likelihood of clogged pores caused by sweat or other impurities on the skin.

Minimise Retinoid

Retinoids chemically exfoliate the skin, treating acne and wrinkles as part of a wider regime. While this sounds positive, the process can leave your skin sensitive to sunlight. Protect yourself from UV exposure and apply sunscreen liberally after treating your blemishes with retinol-based products.

Try Colder Showers

If you can't live without your post-gym shower in the middle of summer, try having cold water showers to increase blood flow, relieve itchiness, tighten pores and reduce inflammation. Too many warm showers can dehydrate your skin and exacerbate conditions like eczema and uneven pigmentation.

Although your skin type will always decide the final result, these three essentials will typically help you breeze through summer free of skin issue.

SPF Skincare Products

You can find SPF in a range of skincare and makeup products, from BB and CC creams to sunscreen moisturisers, foundation and standalone sunscreens. The higher the SPF, the more protected you are from UV damage and sunburn. Make sure to re-apply your SPF sunscreen every two hours while in direct sunlight.

Foaming Cleansers

Your skin may produce excess oil on a hot day in an attempt to protect itself from harm. If you find your skin more oily during summer, try using a foaming cleanser to treat the problem without stripping the skin. Despite its lightweight formulation, foaming cleansers dive deeper into your pore and eliminate build-up.

Lightweight Moisturiser

Gel and water-based moisturisers are a good choice for summer skin, thanks to their quick-absorption formula and strong hydrating properties. Summer is prime time for breakouts for all skin types, so switching out your heavy moisturiser ensures your skin stays happy and healthy without adding extra products to your line-up.