Summer only lasts three months a year, but it takes a lot of prep work to look our best for the warm weather. We hit our home gyms like maniacs, practice giving ourselves pedicures and spend countless hours building a natural-looking faux tan. But, most importantly, we focus on skin care to keep our skin looking its glowing best all season long. To find out what essential steps should be included in our daily routine, we touched base with top estheticians for their tips on caring for summer skin.
Don’t Skip Sunscreen
It may seem like a broken record, but skipping sunscreen any day of the year is a huge no-no. Most consumers complain that sunscreens are heavy, pore-clogging and stick on top of skin, but there are dozens of formulas out there that are as light as air. “It’s important to protect your skin from sun damage all year round,” says celebrity esthetician Shani Darden. “People may not realize, but sun damage takes many years to come to the surface so the effects are not always seen immediately.” And while sun damage can include things from hyperpigmentation to white spots and melasma, unprotected sun exposure can cause skin cancer. All in all, that little bottle of sunscreen is more important than you think. (Check out our picks for the best lightweight sunscreens.)
Incorporate Vitamin C Into Your Routine
We’ve heard of vitamin C as an immune system builder, but it’s also a powerhouse antioxidant. “Adding this antioxidant into your morning skin care routine can protect against environmental stressors, UV rays and free radicals,” shares Olga Lorencin, celebrity esthetician and founder of Olga Lorencin Skin Care Clinic. Not only does it help protect against damage, it’s a natural brightener so you can have a brighter and more radiant glow. (Check out this list of the best vitamin C skin care products.)
Indulge in an At-Home Facial
When your complexion seems out of whack, it can be for a myriad of reasons. Summertime brings its own set of skin concerns due to the sun’s harsh rays, high temps, humidity and polluted air. To balance out all of these stressors on top of your daily skin concerns, treat yourself to a regularly scheduled facial at home. “Summertime tends to clog up our skin, but getting a facial allows your skin to be very clean,” shares Lorencin. “Try an at-home option twice a week to unclog and purify pores.” (Try a clay mask or charcoal mask.)
Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate
For some odd reason, exfoliation seems to pair best with the cold winter months when we are cooped up in the house and indulging in comfort foods. But this practice is an absolute must in the warmer seasons to keep your summer glow. “It’s so important to continue removing the dead surface skin in the summer months,” says Karee Hays, owner of Karee Hays Esthetics. “Try dermaplaning once or twice a week or adding a pinch of baking soda to your cleanser to keep the skin’s surface smooth and glowing.”
