Prep your skin for summer with our ultimate skincare tips. Achieve a radiant, sun-kissed glow safely. Discover products and routines that protect and nourish. Your journey to flawless summer skin starts here

After spending weeks, even months, hiding under wool sweaters and long sleeves, your skin is in dire need of a scrubdown. Exfoliate using a body mitt or a gentle scrub once or twice a week to unclog pores, remove dead skin cells and slough off dry patches.

While some think summers are humid so they don’t need a moisturizer, this isn’t true. Moisturizers help lock in natural oil and hydrate the skin.

1. Moisturize

The summer heat can make it difficult to keep your skin hydrated and looking fresh. The best way to combat dryness and flakiness is by moisturizing every day. Moisturizers help to keep the skin hydrated and also helps to protect it from harmful UV rays. If you have extremely dry skin, it’s recommended that you moisturize even more frequently than normal. A good moisturizing routine includes cleansing, exfoliating and applying a moisturizer to your body and face. You can choose a light gel-based moisturizer for the summer that won’t feel as heavy as the creams you usually use in winter. A great option is the L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Shake & Glow Dew Mist, which is a light hydrating mist that can be used throughout the day to refresh the makeup and skin.

Another way to ensure that your skin is hydrated is by drinking plenty of water. Ensure that you carry a reusable water bottle with you and drink it often throughout the day. You can also hydrate your skin from the inside out by eating hydrating foods like avocados, spinach and tangerines.

You should also avoid taking long hot showers or baths, as the hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and lead to dryness. Try to limit your showers to 10-15 minutes and use a gentle, hydrating body wash. It is also a good idea to use a humidifier at home and to eat lots of fruits and vegetables rich in water.

You should also apply a hydrating body lotion on your body and face after each shower or bath. You can look for a moisturizing lotion that is formulated with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil and glycerin. You should also moisturize before and after going out, especially if you are exposing your skin to the sun. Make sure that you apply a layer of sunscreen over your moisturizer when needed. A hydrating night serum is also a great addition to your skin care routine. It can rehydrate your skin while you sleep and keep it soft, smooth and supple for the rest of the day.

2. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is not only a skincare summer must, but it’s also a vital skin health step you need to keep up year round. It is the skincare cardinal rule and the most effective way to protect yourself from sun damage, which can lead to fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (sun spots), and can even cause skin cancer.

Slather on a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher before heading outside, especially when you know you’ll be in the sun for longer periods of time. It’s important to reapply frequently — every two hours or more often as needed, and always after sweating or toweling off.

When picking out a sunscreen, look for a formulation that contains physical (mineral) sunscreen ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to block and scatter UV rays before they penetrate the skin, as well as chemical sunscreens like avobenzone and octisalate to absorb them. Lastly, choose one that is water resistant, as it will hold up better against humidity and sweating.

The anti-aging properties of this luxe Lionesse cream are reinforced by Heat Shock Proteins which increase the skin’s ability to function under stress, balancing the production of collagen and elastin and helping to limit the accelerated aging of the skin. It also helps to protect the skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation and promotes strong antioxidant protection with Tripeptide-33.

Exposing the skin to sunlight has many benefits, including the production of vitamin D – crucial for healthy bones and mood boosting melatonin, and the natural light helps to boost our body’s hyaluronic acid levels, improving skin texture, firmness and hydration.

However, overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays can cause dark spots and hyperpigmentation, as well as sunburns that can be painful and itchy. If you get a sunburn, treat it as soon as possible by taking a cool bath, applying aloe vera-based gels, and using over the counter hydrocortisone cream or oral NSAIDs for pain relief. If the burn is severe, seek medical care immediately. Make sure to wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV light protection, and use clothing that covers the most exposed areas of your body.

3. Exfoliate

While dermatologists and experts usually recommend exfoliating skin no matter the season, it’s even more important to incorporate regular exfoliation into a summer skincare routine. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that can clog pores, cause breakouts and dull the complexion. Exfoliating also helps buff away dirt and impurities and promotes healthy skin cell turnover, which can help keep your complexion looking radiant all summer long!

Our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells on the surface every day, but over time, these can build up, causing the complexion to look dull and lifeless. In the summer, this can be exacerbated by increased sweat production and environmental pollutants, which can further clog pores and lead to breakouts. Adding a body exfoliating treatment to your routine can prevent this buildup and help your skin look fresh all summer long!

There are several ways to exfoliate, including using a physical scrub with granular substances or a gentle chemical exfoliant. Physical exfoliation involves scrubbing the skin with a scrubby mitt or brush, while chemical exfoliants use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) to dissolve the bond between the skin’s cells and peel them away. Both can be effective at removing excess oil and preventing clogged pores, but chemical exfoliants tend to be gentler and more suitable for sensitive skin types.

In addition to preventing dullness, regularly exfoliating the skin can also help reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure. This is because exfoliation encourages the shedding of pigmented skin cells and can help fade existing spots and melasma.

Another way to exfoliate is by dry brushing the skin, which can be done in the shower or outside of it. This involves gently brushing the skin with a bristled brush in circular motions, which can be very effective at removing dead skin cells and promoting healthy cell turnover.

In addition to exfoliating, it’s also a good idea to regularly apply a rich moisturizer to the skin, especially in areas that are typically dry like the knees and elbows. Using a hydrating product like Clinique’s Moisture Surge 72-hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, which contains antioxidant-rich aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, can help soothe the skin and maintain a smooth complexion all summer long!

4. Hydrate

As the weather heats up, our skin can start to feel a little dehydrated. Combined with the high levels of sweat and sunshine, this can leave us feeling dull, dry, and even flaky. To help combat this, it’s important to drink plenty of water, and use hydrating skincare products. A squalane oil like 100% Pure is perfect for this, as it will help lock in moisture and keep your skin smooth and supple.

Another great way to hydrate your skin is by using a face mask a few times a week. During the summer, it’s best to choose masks with cooling ingredients like cucumber or aloe vera, which help refresh and soothe the skin. Another great addition to your routine is a hyaluronic acid serum. Hyaluronic acid works by interacting with your skin’s sebocytes to regulate sebum production, keeping it balanced and hydrated.

When it comes to the body, it’s also important to switch from a creamy moisturizing cream to a lighter, summer-friendly gel moisturizer. This will ensure that your skin is sufficiently hydrated, and will help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Alternatively, you can try a body hydration treatment like JUARA’s Candlenut Hydrating Shower Gel, which not only cleanses but also nourishes the skin with candlenut oil and coconut botanical cleansing agents.

By following these simple steps, you can get your skin summer ready and keep it looking fresh and radiant all through the hotter months! But if you’re interested in an in-clinic treatment to boost your skin’s performance and help with more severe issues such as dry scaly skin, congested pores, redness and sensitivity, we have a range of treatments available including chemical peels, laser genesis or a combination of the two, as well as Skinboosters which can nourish the skin with hyaluronic acid and raw materials to revive and rejuvenate. To find out more, contact the team today.