As the seasons change, so do the needs of your skin. Adapting your skin care routine for summer is essential to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion. The warmer months bring increased sun exposure, humidity, and the potential for dehydration, all of which can impact your skin's appearance. 

Here's what to know to get your skin care arsenal ready for the coming summer heat, including special tips and tricks on how to combat the aging effects all that sunlight can cause.

How Does the Summer Season Affect Skin?

The summer season brings a unique set of challenges for your skin, primarily due to increased temperatures, humidity, and prolonged sun exposure. These environmental changes can affect your skin's appearance and health, but the good news is that you can make a few adjustments to your skin care routine to help!

During summer, the heat and humidity can lead to increased oil production. Your skin's sebaceous glands become more active in response to the warmer weather, often resulting in a shiny complexion and a higher likelihood of clogged pores. This can exacerbate issues such as acne and blackheads, so make sure you have products on-hand that help control oil without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.

Sun exposure is another factor that affects your skin during summer. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can penetrate the skin, leading to damage at a cellular level. This exposure accelerates the appearance of skin aging, contributing to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Moreover, UV rays can deplete the skin's natural antioxidants, weakening its defense against environmental stressors.

Dehydration is also a common concern during the summer months. Despite the increased humidity, the combination of heat and outdoor activities can lead to moisture loss. When your skin loses water, it can become dry, flaky, and more susceptible to irritation. This dehydration can also compromise the skin's barrier function, making it less effective at protecting against external aggressors.

5 Essential Summer Skin Care Products

Below are five essential products you'll want to prioritize on your skincare shopping list as summer approaches:

Sunscreen: The cornerstone of any summer skin care routine is a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This type of sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which are responsible for skin aging and sunburn, respectively. Applying sunscreen daily helps prevent the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure. Opt for a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and remember to reapply every two hours, especially if you're swimming or sweating. You can also opt for a moisturizer that includes sunscreen in its formula — again, just make sure it's broad-spectrum and has an SPF rating of at least 30.

Lightweight Moisturizers: As temperatures rise, your skin may require a lighter moisturizer to avoid feeling greasy. Gel-based or water-based formulas are ideal for summer as they provide hydration without clogging pores. These moisturizers are often enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture to the skin, keeping it plump and hydrated without heaviness.

Cleansers: The right cleanser will help remove excess oil and impurities accumulated throughout the day without stripping your skin of all of its natural goodness. In the summer particularly (though there's no harm in doing this all-year-round!), opt for a gentle, foaming cleanser that you can use twice per day (depending on how your skin reacts) to effectively cleanse without stripping the skin. This helps maintain a balanced complexion and helps prevent breakouts caused by clogged pores.

Exfoliants: Regular exfoliation is key to removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, which can be particularly beneficial in summer when oil production is higher. Use a gentle exfoliant 2-3 times a week to keep your skin smooth and radiant. If you feel your skin getting dry and irritated, bring that down to once per week. Look for products with mild exfoliating agents like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) that help unclog pores and refine skin texture.

Serums: Incorporating hydrating and antioxidant-rich serums into your routine can provide an extra layer of protection and nourishment. Serums with ingredients like vitamin C help brighten the skin and protect against environmental damage, while hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid ensure your skin retains moisture. These serums should work synergistically with other products to enhance your skin's resilience against summer stressors.

4 Key Ingredients for Summer Skin Care

Just as there are specific products that are extra beneficial during the summer, there are also a few ingredients you'll see do the heaviest lifting during this time of year! Here are four to keep an eye out for:

Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its exceptional hydrating properties, hyaluronic acid is a must-have ingredient for summer. It's a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture from the environment and deeper layers of the skin. This ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water makes it ideal for providing hydration without adding heaviness or greasiness. You can find hyaluronic acid in serums, moisturizers, and even some sunscreens, and it helps your skin remain plump and hydrated throughout the day.

Vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant is essential for brightening the skin and protecting it against sun damage. Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals generated by UV exposure, which can lead to premature skin aging and hyperpigmentation. It also helps boost collagen production, supporting skin elasticity and firmness. Look for vitamin C in serums and moisturizers to incorporate its protective and brightening benefits into your daily routine.

Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that helps control oil production and visibly calm inflammation, making it perfect for summer. It strengthens the skin's barrier, visually improves texture, and minimizes the appearance of pores. Additionally, niacinamide has soothing properties that can calm irritated skin, which often becomes a concern during the hot months. You can find niacinamide in a variety of products, including serums, moisturizers, and even some cleansers.

Aloe Vera: Renowned for its skin-calming effects, aloe vera is a natural choice for sun-exposed skin. It contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce redness and irritation, providing immediate relief to sunburned or sensitive skin. Aloe vera also hydrates and nourishes the skin, promoting a refreshed and healthy appearance. This ingredient is commonly found in gels, creams, and after-sun products, making it easy to incorporate into your routine for instant soothing benefits.

Step-by-Step Summer Skin Care Routine

You shouldn't see a huge change between this routine and your regular routine, but you should make a point to incorporate the above ingredients and products into your routine much more often than you do in the cooler months to make sure you're giving your skin everything it needs to thrive!

1. Cleansing: Begin your routine with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to effectively remove impurities, excess oil, and sweat accumulated throughout the day. Opt for a formula that cleanses without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.

2. Light Therapy: Depending on the type of Light, you'll get a few different benefits from adding this step into your regular routine. We'll talk more about it below, but with Red Light treatment and our LightBoost skincare topicals, you can expect visible skin rejuvenation and some additional anti-aging support (which is key if you've already accumulated sun damage over the years and are starting to see those fine lines pop up!).

3. Exfoliation: Use a gentle exfoliant 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. This step helps prevent clogged pores and promotes a smooth, radiant complexion. Choose exfoliants with mild agents like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) for optimal results.

4. Toning: Apply a refreshing toner to balance your skin's pH levels and remove any residual impurities. Toning helps prepare your skin for better absorption of serums and moisturizers, enhancing their effectiveness.

5. Serum Application: Use a hydrating or antioxidant serum to provide an extra layer of nourishment and protection. Serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin C help maintain hydration and protect against environmental damage, ensuring your skin remains plump and bright.

6. Moisturizing: Apply a lightweight moisturizer to lock in hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. Gel-based or water-based formulas are ideal for summer, providing essential moisture while allowing your skin to breathe.

7. Sunscreen: Finish your routine with a broad-spectrum SPF to protect against harmful UV rays. Sunscreen is crucial for preventing sunburn, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation. Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours, especially during prolonged sun exposure.

Why Do Light Therapy Regularly?

Light Therapy can be a powerful tool for addressing various skin concerns, particularly those caused (or made worse) by the hot summer sun. Regular use of Red Light Therapy offers a gentle, painless, non-invasive way to visibly rejuvenate your skin, and it's easy to add into not just your summer routine, but your regular skin routine all year-long!

Red Light Therapy is renowned for its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which are often intensified by sun exposure. The summer sun can accelerate the appearance of skin aging by breaking down collagen, the protein responsible for maintaining skin's firmness and elasticity. Red Light Therapy works by penetrating the skin at a cellular level and actually supporting healthy collagen production, which ultimately gives you that glowing, healthier-looking complexion.

With just a few treatments per week over several weeks, Red Light Therapy can diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles and promote a look of radiance.

In addition to its anti-aging benefits, Red Light Therapy can help soothe and calm sun-exposed skin, reducing the appearance of redness and inflammation. This makes it an ideal treatment for maintaining that glowing complexion during the summer months.

Conclusion

We've given you all the tools to embrace a summer skin care routine that keeps your skin looking fresh and healthy all season long, now it's up to you to put it to use! Make sure to choose the right products and ingredients, and you'll tackle the challenges of summer with ease. Don't forget your sunscreen, lightweight moisturizers, and those hydrating serums to keep your skin glowing.

If it's not part of your regular routine already, add Light Therapy to your routine for a surprisingly easy way to visibly smooth fine lines and boost your skin's look of radiance. Our Wrinkle Retreat Mask is a great place to start — it treats your entire face in just 10 minutes, delivers both Red Light and Near-Infrared Light Therapies, and is as easy to use as putting it on and turning it on (our auto-shutoff feature ensures you have a perfectly-timed session every time!). 

With these simple steps, you'll be ready to enjoy the sun while keeping your skin looking its best. Here's to a summer of confidence and luminous skin!

Ready to get started with Light Therapy, but not quite sure where to start? Take our Device Quiz here for tailored skin care recommendations based on your concerns, age, and more!

Sources:

1. Influence of exposure to summer environments on skin properties - PubMed 

2. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: What It Is & Its Effect on Your Skin 

3. Dry skin - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic