Summer is a time when many people spend more time outdoors, travel, swim, and enjoy the sun. At the same time, the skin is exposed to significantly greater stress than during the rest of the year. UV radiation, heat, sweat, salt water, and chlorine affect the skin’s moisture balance and protective barrier, which means that the skincare routine that worked during winter is not always optimal in summer.
This does not mean that you need to replace your entire skincare routine, but it may be wise to adapt both which products you use and how you use them. Some ingredients become especially important when the skin needs hydration and soothing, while others may need to be used more carefully if you spend a lot of time in the sun.
Below, we go through how to build an effective skincare routine for summer, how to use sun protection correctly, and which ingredients can help the skin feel its best during the warmest months of the year.
The skin needs a different skincare routine in summer
The skin’s needs change throughout the year. When the temperature rises, sebum production often increases, while the skin also loses more fluid through sweating. Add to that stronger UV radiation, swimming in the sea or pool, and longer days outdoors, and it becomes clear why the skin can react differently during summer.
Many people find that their skin becomes both oilier and drier at the same time. It may sound contradictory, but it is actually common. The heat can cause the skin to produce more sebum, which gives a shinier feeling, while the sun and heat cause the skin to lose more moisture. The result is skin that feels oily on the surface while also tight or dehydrated.
Another important factor is the skin barrier. The outermost layer of the skin acts as protection against external stressors while also helping the skin retain its moisture. Heavy sun exposure can temporarily impair the skin barrier, making the skin more sensitive and prone to irritation.
That is why a good summer routine is not only about protecting the skin from the sun, but also about helping the skin recover and maintain a strong skin barrier.
This is how the sun affects the skin
The sun is important for our well-being, but UV radiation is also one of the biggest causes of premature skin aging.
UV radiation gradually breaks down collagen and elastin, two proteins that help the skin stay firm and resilient. At the same time, free radicals can form in the skin, leading to oxidative stress. Over time, this can contribute to pigmentation spots, fine lines, and an uneven skin tone.
If the skin is exposed to too much sun without sufficient protection, it can also become dry, red, and irritated. In some cases, the skin barrier can be weakened, making the skin react more easily to products it would normally tolerate.
This does not mean that you need to avoid the sun completely. The key is instead to give the skin the right protection and the right conditions to recover.
Morning routine during summer
A good morning routine during summer is about moisturizing the skin without making it feel heavy, while also preparing it for the most important step of the day – sun protection.
Start with a gentle cleanse
During the night, the skin produces sebum and sweat, while residue from the evening’s skincare remains on the skin. Therefore, a gentle face wash in the morning can be a good start to the day.
A gentle cleanser removes dirt and excess sebum without disturbing the skin’s natural balance. If the cleanser is too strong, the skin risks becoming dehydrated before the day has even begun, which can make it more sensitive to both heat and sun.
If you have very dry or sensitive skin, it can sometimes be enough to rinse your face with lukewarm water in the morning.
Hydrate the skin with toner and serum
Many people think the skin needs less hydration during summer because it feels oilier. In reality, the skin often needs more moisture than usual.
A hydrating serum is an easy way to give the skin extra moisture without feeling heavy. Serums often have a light consistency and contain high concentrations of active ingredients, which makes them an excellent complement during summer when many people want to use lighter products.
Look for ingredients such as:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Glycerin
- Beta-glucan
- Panthenol
These ingredients help the skin bind water and provide hydration without feeling heavy or sticky.
Adapt your moisturizer to the weather
During winter, many people use a richer face cream, but during summer the skin may do better with a lighter gel cream or lotion.
A light moisturizer hydrates the skin without feeling greasy and also works better together with sun protection. Otherwise, if the skin becomes too oily, it may be harder for SPF to settle evenly over the skin.
If, on the other hand, you have very dry skin, you do not automatically need to switch to a thinner cream. The most important thing is that your skin feels hydrated and comfortable during the day.
Sun protection is the most important step in a summer routine
If you are only going to prioritize one single product during summer, it is a good sun protection.
Sun protection not only helps reduce the risk of getting burned. It also protects the skin against the long-term damage caused by UV radiation, such as pigmentation changes, loss of elasticity, and premature skin aging.
Even many active skincare ingredients give better results if the skin is protected from the sun at the same time. Otherwise, new pigmentation spots and sun damage may counteract the effect of the rest of your skincare.
For most people, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is recommended, but during summer SPF 50 is often a better choice, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
How much SPF should you use?
One of the most common reasons sun protection does not provide the protection stated on the packaging is that too little is used.
For the face and neck, two finger lengths of sunscreen is usually a good rule of thumb. Apply sun protection as the last step in your morning routine and let it absorb before applying makeup.
If the amount is too small, the protection is significantly reduced, even if the product has SPF 50.
How often should you reapply SPF?
Applying sun protection in the morning is a good start, but it is not always enough for a whole day.
If you spend extended periods outdoors, sun protection should be reapplied about every two hours. This is especially true if you are at the beach, walking for a long time, or sitting in direct sunlight.
You should also apply new sun protection after:
- Swimming
- Heavy sweating
- Exercising outdoors
- If you have dried your face with a towel
Even water-resistant sunscreens gradually lose their effect when the skin is exposed to water and friction.
If, on the other hand, you work indoors for most of the day and are only outside for shorter periods, the need for reapplication may be less, but if you go outside again in the afternoon, it is wise to top up with a new layer.
Ingredients to use with a little extra caution during summer
There is a common misconception that certain ingredients must not be used at all during summer. It is not that simple.
Most active ingredients can be used year-round, but some make the skin more sensitive to external stressors or require you to be extra careful with sun protection. If you know that you will be spending many hours in the sun, it may therefore be wise to adjust how often you use them.
Retinol
Retinol is one of the most well-documented ingredients in skincare and is often used to reduce fine lines, improve skin texture, and treat acne.
At the same time, retinol can make the skin drier and more sensitive, especially when you have just started using it. During summer, therefore, strong sun, heat, and retinol together can become a strain on the skin.
This does not mean that you have to stop using retinol during summer. On the contrary, many people can continue using it without problems, but it is wise to apply it in the evening and be extra careful with sun protection every day. If the skin feels irritated or if you know you will be spending a long time in the sun several days in a row, it may be a good idea to reduce use temporarily.
AHA acids
AHA acids, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid, exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin and contribute to a more even skin tone and increased radiance.
Because they remove dead skin cells, the skin can also become more sensitive to UV radiation. Therefore, it is especially important to use high sun protection if you use AHA acids, particularly during summer.
For many people, it works well to use the acids in the evening a couple of times a week instead of every day during periods when they spend a lot of time outdoors.
BHA (salicylic acid)
Unlike AHA acids, BHA acids are oil-soluble, which means they can penetrate into the pores and dissolve sebum and impurities. Therefore, salicylic acid is a popular choice for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Salicylic acid does not make the skin as sensitive to the sun as AHA acids do, but because it still exfoliates the skin, overuse combined with strong sun, heat, and sweat can make the skin dry or irritated.
If the skin feels more sensitive than usual during summer, it may be wise to reduce use somewhat and instead focus on hydration and a strong skin barrier.
Strong peels and exfoliation
Exfoliation is an effective way to remove dead skin cells and give the skin more radiance, but during summer it can be good to think a little differently.
If you know you are going to spend a whole day at the beach or be out in strong sun for several hours, it may be better to postpone a stronger exfoliator to another day. Freshly exfoliated skin can feel more sensitive and react more easily to both heat and UV radiation.
For most people, exfoliating once or twice a week during summer is enough, but how often depends on skin type, which products you use, and how much time you spend outdoors.
Ingredients that are especially well-suited for summer
Summer is not just about which ingredients you should be careful with. There are also many ingredients that can help the skin maintain its moisture balance, soothe irritation, and strengthen the skin’s natural protection.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of the most appreciated hydrating ingredients in skincare.
It works by binding water in the outermost layer of the skin, making the skin feel softer and more hydrated. During summer, when the skin loses more fluid through heat and sweating, hyaluronic acid can help counteract the tight feeling that many people experience.
Because hyaluronic acid has a light consistency, it suits most skin types, even if you feel your skin becomes oily during summer.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Panthenol is an ingredient that both hydrates and soothes the skin.
After a warm day or after a lot of sun exposure, the skin can feel warm, dry, or slightly irritated. Panthenol then helps reduce discomfort while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier.
This makes the ingredient an excellent choice both morning and evening during summer.
Centella Asiatica
Centella Asiatica is one of the best-known ingredients in Korean skincare and is often used when the skin needs soothing.
The ingredient is appreciated because it helps reduce redness and support the skin’s natural recovery. If the skin feels sensitive after a day in the sun, products with Centella Asiatica can help the skin feel more balanced again.
That is why many people use it year-round, but especially during summer when the skin is exposed to more external stressors.
Ceramides
Ceramides are natural fats that already exist in the skin and make up an important part of the skin barrier.
When the skin is exposed to a lot of sun, swimming, and heat, the skin barrier can become weakened. Then it becomes harder for the skin to retain its moisture, which can lead to dryness and irritation.
By using products with ceramides, you help the skin rebuild its protective barrier and reduce moisture loss.
Beta-glucan
Beta-glucan is an ingredient that often goes a little unnoticed, but has many benefits.
It helps the skin bind moisture while also having a soothing effect. Many also appreciate that beta-glucan gives a soft and comfortable feel without feeling heavy on the skin.
For those who easily become red or sensitive during summer, beta-glucan can be a good complement to the rest of your skincare.
Heartleaf (Houttuynia Cordata)
Heartleaf has become a very popular ingredient in Korean skincare thanks to its soothing properties.
It is often used in products for sensitive or acne-prone skin because it helps reduce redness and gives the skin a more balanced feel.
During summer, it can be especially appreciated because heat and sweat can sometimes make the skin more reactive.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that suits most skin types and works excellently even during summer.
It helps strengthen the skin barrier, balance sebum production, and even out skin tone over time. In addition, it is significantly gentler than many exfoliating acids, which makes it well-suited even when the skin is exposed to a lot of sun.
If you have skin that both becomes shiny and at the same time feels dehydrated during summer, niacinamide is often a good choice.
Skincare after a day in the sun
After several hours outdoors, the skin primarily needs recovery.
Even if you have not been sunburned, the skin has been exposed to heat, UV radiation, and often also sweat, salt water, or chlorine. A soothing evening routine helps the skin restore its balance before the next day.
Cleanse the skin thoroughly
During the day, sun protection, sebum, sweat, dirt, and air pollution collect on the skin.
Therefore, a thorough yet gentle cleanse is important in the evening. If you use water-resistant sun protection or makeup, double cleansing can be a good option to ensure that all residue is removed.
Replenish moisture
After cleansing, it is a good time to give the skin plenty of hydration.
A hydrating toner followed by a serum and a moisturizer helps the skin replace the moisture lost during the day.
Products with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, or beta-glucan are especially appreciated after a lot of sun.
Soothe the skin
If the skin feels warm or slightly irritated, soothing ingredients can make a big difference.
Centella Asiatica, Heartleaf, aloe vera, and madecassoside are examples of ingredients that help the skin feel more comfortable while supporting its natural recovery.
Strengthen the skin barrier
If the skin feels dry or tight after a day outdoors, a barrier-strengthening face cream with ceramides or squalane can help the skin recover faster.
A strong skin barrier allows the skin to retain its moisture better and withstand external stressors more effectively.
Common mistakes during summer
Even the best skincare routine gives poorer results if a few common mistakes creep in.
Skipping moisturizer
Many people choose to leave out their face cream because their skin feels oily.
The problem is that dehydrated skin sometimes compensates by producing even more sebum. A light hydrating cream instead helps the skin maintain a better balance.
Only applying SPF once
Sun protection gradually breaks down during the day and also disappears when you swim, sweat, or dry your face.
If you spend a long time outdoors, the sun protection therefore needs to be reapplied to provide good protection.
Using too little sun protection
Many people apply significantly less than the amount required to achieve the product’s stated SPF.
Two finger lengths for the face and neck is a simple rule of thumb that helps you get more reliable protection.
Forgetting exposed areas
Ears, neck, hairline, and hands are areas that are often missed when applying sun protection.
These are also areas that are often exposed to a lot of sun and should therefore receive the same protection as the rest of the face.
Adapt the routine to your skin type
There is no skincare routine that suits everyone. How you should adapt your routine during summer depends, among other things, on your skin type and how much time you spend outdoors.
If you have dry skin, you can continue using a richer moisturizer if your skin feels comfortable with it. If you have oily skin, a lighter gel cream may be a better alternative, but oily skin also needs hydration.
For sensitive skin, it is often wise to prioritize soothing ingredients and avoid introducing many new active products at the same time during periods of a lot of sun.
If you use retinol or exfoliating acids, you do not need to stop using them just because it is summer. However, it may be good to adjust how often you use them if your skin feels more sensitive than usual or if you know you will be spending a lot of time in direct sunlight.
Frequently asked questions about skincare in summer
Do I need to use SPF even when it is cloudy?
Yes. A large portion of the sun’s UV radiation can penetrate clouds, which means the skin is still exposed to UV radiation even if the sun is not visible.
Can I use retinol during summer?
Yes, absolutely. However, use retinol in the evening and be diligent with sun protection during the day. If your skin feels sensitive, you can temporarily reduce usage.
How often should I reapply sun protection?
If you spend extended periods outdoors, you should reapply sun protection about every two hours as well as after swimming, heavy sweating, or when you have dried the skin with a towel.
Do I need moisturizer even if my skin feels oily?
Yes. Oily skin can still be dehydrated. A light moisturizer helps the skin maintain its moisture balance and can in many cases also help the skin feel less oily.
Which ingredients are best after a day in the sun?
Ingredients such as Centella Asiatica, panthenol, ceramides, beta-glucan, Heartleaf, and hyaluronic acid are popular choices because they help hydrate, soothe, and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
