Do you switch up your skincare routine in the Summer? Or seek out certain skincare ingredients?
Maybe you are searching for skincare products for the best sunburn relief, best serum for redness or light weight hydrators to seal everything in from a hot day outside.
So let’s continue my Summer skincare 2021 series outlining the must-have skincare ingredients for summer.
If you missed the last few posts in my series, you can check them out here: best moisturizers for summer, top tinted sunscreens for summer, & after sun relief sheet masks
Vitamin C for Glowing Summer Skin
I’ve declared my love for Vitamin C before, but this is your reminder to not skip it in your summer skincare routine. Vitamin C paired with a daily SPF is probably the best pair to protect yourself against sun damage. When the sun is especially prevalent in the summer, you want to be sure to add this powerful antioxidant to your routine!
What it does for your skin: even out the skin tone, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, brighten the complexion, improve skin health
My top recommendations & tips: you should use vitamin c in your morning routine, every day if your skin tolerates it well. Some people struggle with irritation in connection to vitamin c, so start with a gentle option if you are more sensitive.
- For extra sensitive skin use this gentle option Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop
Beta-Glucan – Hydrate in the Summer
I also have a previous post discussing the real star of the show, beta-glucan, and I haven’t looked back since. I would normally tell people to seek out hyaluronic acid in the summertime, but overall beta-glucan just works even better! Plus, hyaluronic acid is practically in every skincare product now a days, so you really don’t need a stand alone HA serum. Beta-glucan on the other hand is up and coming, so I would definitely seek it out for your summer skincare products.
What it does for your skin: humectant that deeply hydrates, works to repair the skin barrier
My top recommendations:
- iunik Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum (pictured above)
Salicylic Acid – Improve breakouts and Pores
Many of us get confused on exfoliating in the summer time. Do we dare exfoliate, or should we skip it? The short answer is- absolutely! You should be exfoliating all year round, but doing so intuitively. I often change the type of chemical exfoliant that I use in the summer. Our skin is more oily, congested and often the pores become clogged easier in the summer heat.
What it does for your skin: regulate oil production, fight breakouts, improve the overall skin texture. This exfoliates the skin by way of chemical exfoliation- salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid!
My top recommendations:
Gluconolactone – Gentle Exfoliation in the Summer
A gentler form of exfoliation, gluconoactone is a PHA that can effectively improve the skin tone and texture. I love using PHAs to exfoliate especially when my skin is more dry or irritated. But if you have spent too much time in the sun overall, I would skip exfoliation until your barrier is back to normal.
What it does for your skin: This ingredient is a total multi-tasker: exfoliates, hydrates, and…wait for it…may provide protection against UV rays shown by a study in 2004. More research needs to be done, but we know that this specific exfoliant will not be causing as much sensitivity in the skin as some other exfoliants and can work more synergistcally with your skin protecting products as well.
My top recommendations:
Sunscreen – Both Physical & Chemical UV Filters are Safe and Effective
It should go without saying, but we need sunscreen in the Summer. And the Winter, and Fall, and Spring. On rainy days and sunny days. All the time! We especially should make sure we are applying body sunscreen in the summer time too as we are more exposed and risk UV damage and sunburn throughout the body.
If you need help understanding the difference between chemical and physical sunscreens, read my blog here
What it does for your skin: protect the skin from UVA + UVB rays that cause sun burn and cell damage, prevent premature aging
My top recommendations for the face:
Body Care Must-Haves for Summer 2021
Heat, humidity, and increased sweat in the Summer can also wreak havoc on the body, too! I always recommend adding active ingredients to your body care to keep the skin healthy, glowing and improve body breakouts.
Exfoliating Acids for the Body – just like chemical exfoliants work on the face, they can help clear breakouts, acne and redness throughout the body too! I love using serums or sprays on my back and chest where I am prone to breaking out.
- For use in the Shower: Murad Acne Body Wash, Proactiv Acne Body Wash, Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash
- After the Shower: Paula’s Choice Acne Body Spray, Pacifica Bacne Warrior Acne Fighting Spray, Ren AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum
Tea Tree Oil – tea tree is naturally anti bacterial and can be very effective at clearing and preventing body blemishes. I do use tea tree for the face some times, but I much prefer it in body care. If you are sensitive to essential oils then always patch test.
Witch Hazel – another skincare ingredient that I don’t seek out for the face, but really enjoy for the body. It is also anti bacterial, reduces shine and oil, and can also work on bruising!
- Witch Hazel & Tea Tree products: The Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash, Benton Tea Tree Serum, Boscia Rosewater Mist with Witch Hazel, Truly Black Jelly Body Serum
Summer Skincare Ingredients Wrap-Up
I definitely make some changes to my routine when the temperature starts to heat up. I hope you use this guide to seek out specific ingredients for your Summer Skincare 2021 routine! Let me know what ingredients you are currently using and what products you plan to buy in the comments 🙂
Thanks so much for reading!
*some links are affiliate which means I make a small commission if you purchase products through the link. I appreciate your support so much!
Sources:
https://blog.reneerouleau.com/its-summer-time-are-you-using-vitamin-c/
Great blog! I do use Vitamin C and have for quite awhile. Wasn’t aware of the HA verses the Beta-Glucane. I should try this!
Vitamin C is so amazing! Hyaluronic Acid is such a great ingredient, but I assure you that beta-glucan really outshines it! 😉