6 Skincare Steps to Switch in the Summer

We've all been cooped up during the pandemic and so this summer feels especially ripe for being outside, in the elements!  With that comes some adjustments in your skin - heavier textures that have served you through colder weather now may feel oppressive and greasy.  Here are some things to think about:

CLEANSERS

If you only use cream cleansers you may find a gel cleanser feels better during hot months as it will give you a bit more of a "squeaky clean" feeling.  Our Soothing Aloe Cleanser is a good place to start.  If you usually use a gel cleanser that targets combination skin you may flip to one for oily skin in hot weather as we tend to sweat more and produce more oil in the heat.  A great option is our Clarifying Charcoal Cleanser if you're wanting maximum "squeak" without stripping your skin.

TONERS

I have two favorite camps on this - acne prone and then everyone else (even oily).  For acne-prone I am obsessed with Lumion Skin's Miracle Mist - it's wonderful after cleansing but the real fabulousness here is after sports/workouts - sweating in any capacity - it washes your face with one spray.  Literally.  So if sweat and exercise exacerbate breakouts this is a must. 

On the flip side, if you're melting because it's so hot and all you want is one of those squirty bottles with a fan on it, our Rosewater Tonic is a refined version of that.  It delivers massive hydration, instantly cools skin and also sets your makeup!  We have a 2 oz travel size that is a must-have for your purse.  Whether you're waiting for the subway or sweating at your daughter's softball game, I promise when you whip this out and create a soothing cloud of rose happiness everyone will want to be your friend!

SERUMS

Antioxidants are super important when you're getting a lot of sun as they can help impede sun damage so having a lightweight serum that won't make your makeup slip off or feel oppressive is key.  Our Rose Quench Serum fits the bill for nearly everyone (oily/breakout-prone folks will want to stick with the Clarifying Serum) as it contains Vitamins C and E which focus on brightening as well as Vitamin B3 which targets hyperpigmentation.  

SPF

You knew we were going to get here, right?  If you only do one step (after washing your face - please wash your face!) it needs to be sunscreen.  I've said it before and I'll say it again - 90% of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, hyperpigmentation) is due to sun damage according to the EPA.  Most folks can use a serum underneath and be okay with the hydration level in their sunscreen in during the day.  If you need some extra moisture try adding a few drops of a facial oil to your sunscreen which will also help it blend more easily.  For more sunscreen info click HERE.  Our Peptide SPF 30 for Face is a must-have at my house.

MOISTURIZER

As mentioned with SPF above you may not need a separate moisturizer in the morning if you're using a serum and your sunscreen has hydration.  At night you can see if it feels better to continue with the moisturizer you usually use or to flip to one that is lighter weight like our Silk Cream which has a simple formula that will get the job done.  If you're oily, your serum might give you enough hydration in the PM on its own.  

PORES/BLACKHEADS

Blackheads rear their heads even more in the summer as we sweat more and that sweat combines with dirt, oil and bacteria to form blackheads/breakouts more easily so they are more visible and as such make our pores look "big".  You can't literally make your pores smaller, but you can make them appear smaller by getting rid the oil and skin cells which have oxidized and thus turned black.  Glycolic Acid is excellent at dissolving these oxidized oil situations and we use 3% in our Pumpkin Enzyme Peel.  

Another ingredient that's a pro at de-gunking pores is clay and our Clarifying Green Clay Mask is one of my faves if you're in need of something that's also soothing.  To be clear, this is not for dry skin folks, but in terms of a clay mask it's pretty gentle because it has a tremendous amount of Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice in it which soothes skin while detoxing at the same time.  You can use this as a proper mask or as an overnight spot treatment. 

THINGS THAT MAY NOT CHANGE

Your eye cream should still be happening at night, your eye gel should still be happening in the morning - eye stuff is most effective when there's consistency with application.  So this step won't change.

Scrubs also should keep going and may get stepped up as a result of excess oil in skin.

Let us know if you have any questions!