Our Top Summer Skincare Tips for Glowy, Protected Skin

There's nothing better than welcoming the return of longer days, warm weather and, of course, that sun-kissed glow we’ve all been waiting for.

As the seasons change, it’s important to switch up your routine to meet your skin’s changing needs. Which is why we’re here to talk about skin care in summer.

Read on for the tips and routine to help you and your skin stay cool, calm and protected over the next few months...

How do you take care of your skin in hot weather?

In the same way that winter can be tricky for delicate skin, summer comes with its own challenges.

From dry air to exposure to UV rays, it can cause skin to become dehydrated and irritated – especially if you have sensitive skin.

Going from the intense heat to air-conditioned spaces can also affect your skin in the same way heating does in chilly weather.

 

Staying hydrated, out of the sun and protecting with SPF are essential for all skin types. If you already have dry skin, you can read some of our top tips here.

Some of the ways summer weather can affect your skin include:

• Increased risk of sunburn
• Dehydration and dry skin
• Itching and heat rash
• Unpredictable breakouts
• More noticeable dark spots

Luckily, the right products can also help you keep your skin happy and healthy over the summer months... 

How can I make my skin glow in summer?

That glow that comes with summer skin is one of our favourite parts of the season.

The sun’s UV rays help our bodies produce Vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Plus, it releases Melanin, the chemical that causes us to look more tanned.

However, the sun can also cause both temporary and long-term damage to skin. So, it’s essential to limit your exposure and protect with sunscreen during the day.

As the weather heats up, it’s also likely you’ll lose more water through sweating and transepidermal water loss (a process where water passes through the skin into the environment) over the summer months.

If you’re not looking as glowy as you’d like to right now, it could be because you’re dehydrated, or the sun has depleted your skin of its natural oils – reach for replenishing serums and creams to top up any lost moisture.

Finally, that increased sweat that we just mentioned can cause blocked pores when it’s combined with traces of sunscreen, daily dirt and more. Exfoliating regularly will help reveal your radiance again.

What ingredients should I be reaching for in summer?

It’s all about soothing, replenishing ingredients that hydrate and care for sun-stressed skin. Which is why three of the go-to ingredients in our skincare routine for warm weather are...

Hyaluronic Acid

A hydration powerhouse that can attract and lock in up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture that re-plumps the skin.

Vitamin E

Softens skin, intensely moisturises and helps protect cells from damage

Aloe Vera

The perfect calming and cooling ingredient with anti-inflammatory properties.

You can learn even more about amazing skincare ingredients here.

What should my summer skincare routine be?

If you’re not sure what the best summer skincare routine is, we’ve got you. Here are the steps we’re following at the moment:

1.  Freshen up

Much like that just-out-of-the-shower feeling, cleansing your face instantly awakens summer skin.

As we mentioned earlier, between sweating more to the build-up of dirt and sunscreen throughout the day, pores can easily become blocked when the weather gets warmer.

Cleansing well can help you avoid those breakouts. Go for something that deeply purifies without stripping away moisture, like our vitamin-rich Water Boost™ Micellar Gel Wash.

Remember, you can rinse with cooler water than you would over the winter months to help make your skin feel even more revitalised.

If you're in a rush, or just can’t wait to go to bed, our bestselling Micellar Water is the perfect super-quick cleanser. It’s made with triple-filtered water and Micellar technology to sweep daily grime away from your skin in seconds. Plus, it helps keep skin hydrated for four hours.

Want to know how to cleanse properly and work out what the best one for your new regime is? Read up on all the best tips right here.

2. Tone it down

Summer really is a toner’s time to shine. Not only because toner formulas are so refreshing, but also because of their ability to restore your skin’s pH level and help prep for the next steps in your regime. Which means your hydrating serums, moisturisers and more will sink in more effectively.

Just apply a small amount to a reusable cotton pad and sweep over clean skin. There’s no need to rinse.

Like all Simple® skincare, our Soothing Facial Toner is created with sensitive skin in mind, so you can use it without worrying about any potential irritation. Plus, each product is free from colour, perfume and harsh chemicals – perfect for gently caring for skin over the summer months.

Top tip: Products like toners and moisturisers can be kept in the fridge to make them feel even more soothing when you apply them.

3. Lightly exfoliate

Another way to help keep your pores clear and reveal your sun-kissed glow is by exfoliating regularly, which helps shift the dead skin cells and more that can build up on your skin. 

You can do this with a scrub made of small particles, like our Bamboo-enriched Daily Skin Detox™ Clear Pore Scrub

This purifying exfoliator is blended with Thyme, Zinc and Witch Hazel to leave skin feeling renewed after each use. Try using it 2-3 times a week and notice the difference it makes.

Or, you could combine skincare steps with our Smoothing Gel Cleanser. It’s enriched with 5% Lactic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid to deeply purify, gently resurface and support your skin barrier all at once.

Read up on expert exfoliation tips here.

4. Supercharge with a serum

Speaking of Hyaluronic Acid, adding our Booster Serum to your regime will help you tackle dry skin in summer.

It helps draw moisture from the environment to the surface of the skin and lock it in, giving thirsty skin the hydration it needs.

If you notice that your dark spots become more visible over the summer months with more exposure to the sun, then a Vitamin C serum could help you reduce their appearance. Plus, give you even more radiant-looking skin and help defend against environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays (when paired with sunscreen).

Just smooth a few drops of your chosen serum onto your skin before you moisturise.

5. Hydrate and protect

After using a serum that targets your skin’s needs, you’ll want to load up on a good moisturiser to prevent your skin from drying out or that dreaded intense itch in the heat.

It goes without saying that SPF is an all-year-round essential, but we all know that our sun exposure tends to be higher over the summer months.

Spending too long in UV rays without protection can lead to everything from uncomfortable sunburns to long-lasting damage – even leading to premature ageing.

That’s why applying a moisturiser with SPF is the only way to start the day. Like our Protect ‘N’ Glow™ Radiance Booster SPF 30, which also leaves your skin looking super radiant and it works perfectly as a primer for those balmy ‘no makeup’ makeup days.

Just don’t forget to top up with an SPF formulated for your face throughout the day, as well as your all-over sunscreen for your body. 

In the evening, you can go sunscreen-free. Instead, reach for a nice, light gel cream formula like our refreshing Soothing Water Cream.

Not only does it quench your skin, it also contains our amazing Ceramide Booster technology which sinks in deeply through up to 10 skin layers, stimulating the skin to create its own ceramides.

This helps restore your skin barrier and keeps it feeling strong and healthy. Plus, it supports your skin’s natural ability to prevent excess moisture loss – a must over the summer months when hydration is everything.

Looking for more skin care advice?

We hope you enjoyed reading up on how to look after your skin in the sun and you’re looking forward to a great season ahead.

Want to take your skincare knowledge to the next level? We’ve got plenty of tips and more waiting for you over on our blog.

Don’t forget to join us on our social channels for even more updates and advice - see you there!