My summer skincare routine has been simplified. As a 40-something who spends a lot of time outdoors, I rely on clean products for SPF, hydration, and shine throughout the seasons.
This summer is the hottest and most humid. The last thing you want to think about is an elaborate skin care routine. Frankly, all I want to do is lounge by the pool, throw (reusable) water balloons with my boys, and eat cold watermelon.
But summer is actually when your skin needs the most intentional care, in a different way than winter. Less makeup is more, but more protection is more. As a registered dietitian, I think about skin health the same way I think about nutrition. It’s about giving your body what it needs to function well, not giving it maximum effort. A consistent and focused routine will always beat a complex routine.
In the summer, I keep my skincare and makeup routine as simple as possible, while keeping my skin as protected and hydrated as possible. Most days I apply sunscreen, a dab of cream blush, gloss, and mascara. That’s it.
PS. Counter jelly is back! Jelly is the best lip product around the world for many reasons, including texture, tube size, one-handed application, and flavor. The jelly is back for a limited time in a set of three. Choose your favorite flavor from Butterscotch / Sorbet / Eclair.
For the latest on my favorite beauty products, join my email newsletter or check out all my clean beauty brand exchanges.
dry and dehydrated skin
Before I get into my routine, I always think about things like this that my esthetician told me:
Dry skin = lack of oil Dry skin = lack of moisture
Although they look similar, the required solutions are different. Summer actually causes more dehydration than dryness. Even if you’re not in a traditionally “dry” environment, sweat, sun, and salt water can strip moisture from your skin. Keep this in mind when evaluating the products your skin actually needs.
Summer skin care routine overview
AM: Wash off with water / Lotion / Vitamin C serum / Moisturizer / Wonder Screen
PM: Oil cleansing / Toner / F59 Collective Serum + Kahai Elixir / Night Cream
Whenever I know I’m going to be outside, I add another layer of SPF (Wonderscreen already has an everyday SPF).
PS. Everything is on sale!
Oliveda, my favorite water-free olive-based product, is offering 35% off all items sitewide until Sunday, July 5th, in honor of Independence Day and Canada Day. (For those new to the waterless idea, it replaces water as a filler with olive-derived hydroxytyrosol, so you get a concentrated active ingredient rather than one diluted with water.) If you spend $149 or more, you’ll also get a free full-size product, and orders over $50 ship for free.
my summer skin care routine
Step 1: Cleanse with water (AM) or Arbequina Cleansing Oil (PM).
In the summer, I keep my morning cleansing simple with just water. My skin doesn’t need a thorough cleansing first. Too much cleansing in the heat can break down your skin barrier and make your skin feel flaky. At night, it’s a different story. Double cleansing is a must after applying sunscreen and removing sweat, makeup, and summer grime. I start applying Oliveda’s Arbequina Cleansing Oil to my dry skin to melt away sunscreen, makeup, and build-up from the day in one step.
Step 2: Hydrate with Corrective Facial Tonic (AM + PM)
I apply this in the morning and at night, right after cleansing and before my skin feels tight. This tonic helps balance the skin’s pH, giving it an initial boost of hydration in preparation for the next step. Instead of spraying directly, spray it on your hands and apply it to your face. Drink water for your skin.
Step 3: Serum
Apply the tonic while the skin is still slightly damp. A morning vitamin C serum can help protect you from free radical damage caused by sun exposure throughout the day. This is one of the most evidence-backed ingredients for skin health and I’ve been using it for years. I’ve tried many, including Oliveda, and this is still my favorite. It’s super easy to pump, you get an instant glow from the yellow hue, and it smells so good. At night, F59 Anti-Aging Serum and Kahai Elixir give your skin everything it needs to repair overnight. I tend to use lighter elixirs in the summer (Midnight in the winter).
Step 4: Moisturizer
You may think you need a light moisturizer in the summer, but your skin still needs hydration. Especially if you spend all day in the sun, pool, or air conditioner (which is basically a dry environment). I love F42 as my morning moisturizer all year round, but I especially love it in the summer because of the natural sunscreen ingredients incorporated into the formula. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated SPF, but it’s great as an extra layer of protection on days when you’re just running around town. It also helps target blemishes while maintaining skin tone for the evening, making it a double win for summer skin concerns.
Step 5: SPF!
Your greatest weapon against the signs of aging is always sunscreen. If you know you’ll be out in the sun, wear two layers: a face-specific SPF and a tinted moisturizer with SPF.
summer skin care tips
What to skip in summer
I heard this phrase recently and loved it. Summer is not the season of correction, but the season of protection. There are a few things I want to do before fall.
Retinol and powerful retinoids – These increase sensitivity to sunlight and can cause inflammation with increased UV exposure. Avoid aggressive retinol use during cooler months.
Chemical peels and laser treatments – your esthetician will tell you the same thing. Products that increase cell turnover and sensitivity are suitable for autumn and winter skin.
Apply a thick occlusive cream at night – In humid summer weather, a thick occlusive layer can trap heat and sweat, causing breakouts. A light hydration at night is usually sufficient.
Keep dark spots away
I’ve been struggling with melasma and sunscreen a lot lately, so this is my summer skincare theme. Even if you wear sunscreen, sun exposure promotes pigmentation, so dark spots are most visible during warmer months. UV rays trigger the production of melanin, which can quickly revive existing dark spots that faded over the winter. Also, I’m sensitive to heat, so wearing a hat isn’t as helpful as I thought.
Use a vitamin C serum every morning. It neutralizes free radical damage from sun exposure and stimulates collagen production, resulting in visibly brighter skin over time. I have been using Vitamin C serum consistently for years and I truly believe it has made a difference in my overall skin tone. All Bright C Serum is my favorite.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. I know I’ve already mentioned it, but no topical treatment beats a consistent daily SPF, especially for age spots. Vitamin C is your sin. SPF is your protection. Both are required.
If you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation, I also have a full post about my current skin care routine that details the products I use year-round.
Make makeup sweat resistant
When it comes to preparing your face for an event, a good foundation can make all the difference in the summer. I like to set any foundation with a setting spray to double its staying power even on hot days. The goal is to prepare your skin so that your makeup will stick. Use primer first and powder last.
Olive Rose has both of these and is great at it.
Frequently asked questions about summer skin care
Should you change your skin care routine this summer?
yes. But the changes are more about lightening your makeup and adding more protection, not overhauling everything. Your core routine (cleanse, tone, serum, moisturize, SPF) remains the same. What changes is the texture of the product, the emphasis on sun protection, and how much orthodontic treatment is avoided.
How much SPF should I apply to my face every day?
Apply at least SPF 25 to 30 on your face every day. I layer on a face-specific SPF and a tinted moisturizer that contains SPF for extra coverage. Look for a broad-spectrum formula that protects from both UVA and UVB rays.
Should I change my moisturizer in the summer?
Although not always, we recommend using less or choosing a lighter texture in humid weather. The biggest mistake is not using moisturizer at all because it’s hot. Your skin still needs hydration, especially if you have the air conditioner on all day or spend time in the sun or pool.
How can I prevent age spots from getting worse in the summer?
Daily morning vitamin C serum and stable SPF. Combining the two is your best defense. Also, avoid picking at pimples. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation prefers the summer sun.
What skin care products should you avoid in summer?
It’s best to save strong retinoids, chemical peels, and laser treatments until the fall. Summer is not the season of correction, but the season of protection.
Is it okay to use the same detergent all year round?
i will do it! My cleansing routine remains the same whether it’s summer or winter. Water in the morning and oil cleanser in the afternoon. What changes is how many layers you apply afterwards.
What is double cleansing? Is it really necessary in summer?
Double cleansing means using an oil-based cleanser first (to dissolve sunscreen and makeup), then a water-based cleanser. In the summer, especially if you wear SPF every day. Sunscreens are designed to keep coming off, so regular cleansers often aren’t enough to remove them completely. I don’t usually do it though!
