Summer skincare tips for the sweaty summer months

Wondering what summer skincare tips are best to maintain your skin’s health?

When the seasons change, so should our skin care. Though going from spring to summer might not warrant as drastic of a change as going from fall to winter or winter to spring, still, there are some steps you should consider adjusting, or, at a minimum, ensure you’re covering all your bases in terms of summer skincare essentials for the sweaty summer months of the year. 

We turn to Houston-based Aesthetician, Mindy Goeke, for tips and insights on how to adjust your skincare to go from spring to summer for healthy and glowing skin.

Summer skincare tips – The essentials for summer months

“Summer skincare must-haves include products with antioxidants and SPF,” shares Goeke. 

In terms of products that sport antioxidants, Goeke recommends Skinmedica’s Lumivive system. “The day serum is a powerful  antioxidant that protects from UV, free radicals, pollution, and blue light. The nighttime serum works as an internal antioxidant. It helps to energize our skin cells while also helping with pigmentation and redness.” 

When it comes to high-quality SPF products, Goeke shares, “SkinMedica’s sunscreen options offer the most protection from UV damage than any other SPF available in the U.S. The Essential Defense is a mineral based sunscreen that is good for all skin types, even the most sensitive. The Total Defense and Repair offers infrared protection that is great for people suffering from melasma.”

Goeke also suggests that the EltaMD line offers a variety of body SPF options suitable for daily wear, activities, and use for children. 

“The EltaMD UV lotion is great for daily wear. It absorbs nicely without giving you that sunscreen feel when you’re out and about.”

And are you thinking a higher SPF is better? Not according to Goeke.

“One thing that people get fixated on is the SPF level. All you really need is an SPF of 30, and then reapply every one to two hours depending on how light your skin is and sun or water exposure. The difference of protection between an SPF 30 and SPF 100 is only one to two percent.”

Summer skincare tips – Things to ditch 

If you’re accustomed to using a thicker moisturizer, you might want to choose a lighter option, according to Goeke. “For summer time, most people don’t need as heavy of a moisturizer, especially if they’re living in a place like Houston, with all the humidity.” 

Also, you want to use caution when exfoliating and using products that contain ingredients like retinol and tretinoin. 

Per Goeke, “One thing to be aware of if you’re using any type of exfoliants or retinol is that your skin is more susceptible to burning. Make sure to wear your hat, and reapply sunscreen while being out. Or, you can discontinue the use of those types of products until all your summertime activities are over.” 

11 summer skincare steps

The following steps are an important part of your skincare routine for the warmer summer months: 

1. Cleanse with a mild cleanser to rid the skin of impurities and dirt and avoid cleansers with sodium lauryl sulfate.
2. Moisturize the face with a thinner, or lighter, moisturizer, to help your skin retain moisture and a healthy glow.
3. Hydrate the skin with hyaluronic acid (HA), which helps to hydrate the skin and add plumpness to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. SkinMedica HA5 is one of the top-of-the line products to hydrate the skin.
4. Incorporate a high quality lip product to exfoliate the lips and help them retain moisture and appear healthy. The HA5 Smooth and Plum Lip System is an excellent option.
5. Use a high quality eye product for the delicate areas around your eyes.
6. Incorporate treatment-specific serums, like TNS advanced serum with growth factors, to give your skin an added boost to heal and recover and look its best.
7. Use sunscreen all over your face and body regularly and reapply throughout the day as necessary, per Goeke’s advice above.
8. Get an air purifier to help eliminate impurities in the air that can impact your skin.
9. Use a dry body oil or light lotion to ensure all of your skin remains moisturized and glowing.
10. Use hand cream with SPF to protect the hands from sun damage and age spots.
11. Drink plenty of water to ensure you remain hydrated. 

Additional summer skincare tips

Here are a few more tips to consider to optimize your summer skincare:

1. Use self-tanner. There are several improved self-tanner options to help you get that bronze glow instead of opting to suntan, which can lead to premature aging and burning (hence the persistent suggestion to use sunscreen!).
2. Treat skin conditions quickly. Skin can get irritated easily thanks to the heat, outdoor activities, and increased sweat during the summer months. Be sure to get medical attention for any skin condition that’s unusual or isn’t going away quickly on its own. 
3. Use aloe vera on burns. Aloe vera is an excellent option to treat several skin conditions, especially burns, including sunburns. If you go for an aloe vera option, make sure the primary ingredient is aloe vera, and it offers clean ingredients. Another great consideration is to purchase an aloe vera plant that you can use and apply directly to the skin. 
4. Wear SPF protective clothing. In addition to wearing a hat to protect your face, consider wearing protective SPF clothing to help protect all areas of your body during the summer, especially if you have any level of a burn. SPF clothing is often cool and breathable for those sweaty summer months. 
5. Use a high-quality hydrating mist. If you tend to get overheated or like to refresh your make-up, seek a high-quality hydrating mist to help keep you cool and refreshed throughout the summer. 
6. Avoid heavy make-up. Lighter make-up application allows your skin to breathe better and can help prevent irritation from sweating compared to heavier foundations and powders. 

Work with a professional aesthetician 

Still have questions?

When in doubt, consider a trip to your local MedSpa for a skin care consultation. A professional skin care specialist or Aesthetician can help you identify the best treatments and products to ensure your summer skincare routine is optimized for your skin type and needs.

Book online with DermaTouch RN 24/7!

Mindy Goecke, Aesthetician

Mindy is a Houston-based Aesthetician with over a decade of experience helping patients utilize the best skin care products and treatments to meet their skin care goals and needs. She is continually striving to provide the best care to her patients and educate them on skin care and treatments. She is continually learning, seeking and applying the best state-of-the-art treatments and latest trends, so she can apply what she learns to support clients in achieving their desired results for the short- and long-term. Learn more about Mindy and the team of professionals she works with.