As the seasons shift from the cool winter and spring months to the hot and slightly more humid summer weather, you’re probably looking for some summer skincare routine ideas to help your skin transition smoothly.
During the summer, there are a few extra things to keep in mind. Unlike the colder months when we tend to use thicker, more hydrating products, summer often calls for lighter formulas. That’s especially true if you’re sweating more, dealing with humidity, or spending more time in the sun. So in this post, I’m sharing my go-to summer skincare routine and all the essentials I use to keep my skin hydrated and protected throughout the season.
As someone with oily and acne prone skin, I like to keep my summer skincare simple and lightweight. I try not to layer on too many products that could clog my pores, which is why my routine is as minimal as possible.
Summer Skincare Routine
Cleanser
First things first, no skincare routine is complete without a good cleanser. It’s important to choose one that fits your skin type and addresses any concerns you may have. For example, if you have dry skin, go for a more hydrating cleanser. If your skin is more on the oily side, a foaming cleanser might work best.
Personally, I have oily and acne prone skin, so I use a benzoyl peroxide based cleanser both in the morning and at night. It helps keep breakouts under control and keeps my skin feeling fresh.
Moisturizer
Next up in my routine is moisturizer. Just because I have oily skin doesn’t mean I can skip this step. In fact, not moisturizing tends to make my oily skin worse by causing it to produce even more oil. During the summer, I like to stick with a lightweight moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated without feeling greasy. (especially since my benzoyl peroxide cleanser can be a bit drying).
Sunscreen
As I got older and started hearing more about the importance of daily sunscreen, I found it really hard to follow that advice at first. As a black woman, most sunscreens either left a white cast and/or irritated my oily and acne-prone skin. It was frustrating and honestly made me want to skip it altogether.
That all changed a few years ago when I came across Dr. Alexis Stephens, a Board Certified and black dermatologist on YouTube. She shares a lot of expert skincare advice especially for black women. And one thing that she highlighted that really stuck with me, is that not wearing sunscreen can actually make hyperpigmentation worse. That hit home for me because I struggled with acne, and it often left behind dark marks and scarring.
After learning that, I started taking sunscreen seriously and looking for one that worked for my skin. Now, I make it a point to wear sunscreen daily, ESPECIALLY in the summer. My current favorite is the Supergoop sunscreen. It’s super lightweight, doesn’t leave a white cast, and doesn’t exasperate my oily skin. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but for me, it’s totally worth it.
CHECK OUT: Make the Most of the Season with this Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Adults
Lip Balm
Don’t forget about your lips when it comes to skincare! I’m a big lip balm advocate because I do not like having chapped lips. Not only is it a bit visually unappealing but it can also get painful when they’re so dry and start to crack. Which is why I like to keep a lip balm with me, especially on-the-go so that I can reapply throughout the day.
If you can, especially during the summer, try to find a lip balm with SPF. I learned the hard way, one time I spent a day at the beach without SPF on my lips, and they got so sunburned. Ever since then, SPF lip balm has been a must for me.
Body Sunscreen
Lastly, let’s not forget that the skin is the largest organ in our body. If you’re planning on spending a long time in the sun, it’s important to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. Personally, I prefer using a spray sunscreen because it’s super easy to apply. Whether I’m heading to the beach, going to a park, lounging by the pool, or just spending time outside, I try to make sure to apply body sunscreen. And don’t forget the key part: reapply after the recommended amount of time to keep your skin protected.
