Summer is a time for sunshine, beach days, and general outdoor exploration. It is also a time when your skin will experience heat, sweat, humidity, and UV rays all at once, which can lead to your skin not liking any of these factors combined and resulting in breakouts, dryness, sunburn, and premature aging, if not properly cared for. But with the right summer skincare routine, your skin can be fresh, protected and glowing all summer long.

Here are 10 summer skin care tips for hot weather to help you beat the heat and maintain your summer glow.

 1. Always Wear Sunscreen (SPF 30 or Higher)

Sunscreen is the most critical product in your summer skincare kit. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are much more powerful during the summer months and can often harm unprotected skin very quickly. Unprotected exposure for durations could result in a painful sunburn, the development of fine lines and dark spots as early signs of aging, and an increased risk for skin cancer. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 should be applied upon waking every day to protect skin from both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. 

You must also reapply it, as one application only protects for so long. If you plan to be outdoors for prolonged amounts of time engaging in any activity that would make you sweat or swim. Every two hours you are outside, you should be promptly reapplying. Once applied, do not forget the neglected places such as the ears, throat, tops of the feet, and even lips (use an SPF lipbalm)! Whether you are going to the beach or are staying inside looking out a window, some UV rays always will reach your skin. Use SPF as a part of your daily routine, non-negotiable!

 2. Hydrate Your Skin (Inside and Out)

As the temperatures rise, we sweat out more of our body fluid, leading us to become dehydrated. This can leave our skin looking dull, dry, or even irritated. Hydration externally, just like internally, is very important. Aim to drink at least 8–10 glasses of water daily, as it will help flush toxins, keep your skin elastic, and promote overall skin health. You can also encourage hydration through food by eating watermelon, oranges or cucumber. 

Externally, your skin has hydration requirements too! Switch from your heavier creams to a lighter moisture lotion (waterbase moisturizers feel like they are hydrating but do not feel heavy or thick and do not clog your pores). A water-based moisturizer is a breath of fresh air! Our skin is able to absorb the moisture without feeling thick. Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera will draw moisture into the skin while cooling it off after those hot summer days. 

By keeping your skin and body hydrated in every way possible you have the best chance at achieving that summer-ready glow!

 3. Use a Lightweight Moisturizer

In warm weather, humidity means your skin produces more oil and sweat, so when it’s sticky, thick or oily moisturizers can feel too heavy or greasy. That’s why switching to a gel-based or oil-free moisturizer is refreshing in the summer months. These lightweight formulations will provide you with hydration without feeling heavy or greasy, absorbing quickly, leaving you hydrated without shine or clogged pores; especially great for people who have oily or combination skin and tend to experience summer breakouts. 

A good summer moisturizer will also hydrate and provide cooling and calming effects, especially if you have recently spent time in the sun. Look for ingredients such as aloe vera, green tea extract, or niacinamide, as they will not only hydrate additions, but soothe any sun-stressed skin. Apply after cleansing and while skin is still slightly damp, as this allows moisturizers to hold moisture in your skin better and keep your skin feeling soft and supple throughout the day.

 4. Cleanse Twice a Day

In the summer months, sweating invites to add sweat to your dirt, and plus all the pollution, makeup, and sunscreen combination and it’s easy for your pores to get clogged. You need to cleanse your face twice daily in the morning and evening, to clear sweat, additional dirt, oils and impurities that have collected through out the day. Having an effective cleansing process will prevent you from dealing with breakouts, dullness, irritation and allow your complexion to have a fresh clean slate.

Choose a gentle gel or foam cleanser that does not strip your natural oils from the skin when cleansing your skin. Rough or harsh cleansing strips the skin of oil, dries you out, and over stimulates your skin barrier, forcing your skin to produce more oil as a rebound in itself. After cleansing, use a toner or hydrating mist to restore your skin at the right ph. balance, and also prep your skin for your moisturizer or serum. Cleansing is the base of skin care, the first step in ensuring the effectiveness of everything else in your skin care routine.

 5. Eat Skin-Boosting Summer Foods

The food you eat directly impacts the appearance and feel of your skin. Summer is the perfect time to eat foods that are hydrating, packed with antioxidants, and contain vitamins and nutrients to support skin function and a healthy glow. Eating water-rich fruits (watermelon), hydrating foods with antioxidants (orange), and berries, contain significant amounts of water and vitamin C to promote collagen production and to combat free radicals. Eating water-rich veggies (cucumber), or nutritionally packed veggies (spinach, tomatoes, etc.) not only dirties vegetables but they also help to cool the body from the inside out.

Antioxidants help to shield the body internally from the aging process of the sun. They worked to restore damaged skin cells, and enhance the protective mechanisms of your body. Foods with omega-3 fats (chia seeds, walnuts and flax seeds), reduce (inflammation and promote your skins barrier function). Instead of opting for sugary or greasy summer sweet snacks, choose a summer diet that feeds your body from the inside out, and then simply enjoy being back in your natural glow again.

 6. Don’t Forget to Exfoliate (Once or Twice a Week)

Exfoliation is key to achieving smooth, healthy, glowing skin in the summertime. As dead skin cells build up on the skin’s surface, pores often become clogged, and sweat, oil, and grime on the skin can also make skin appear to be dull or lost its luster. Whether your prefer physical (scrubs) or chemical exfoliating (AHA/BHA) types of gentle exfoliators 1-2x a week can help you slough off the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and bring some fresh skin to your (complection), and bring a healthy glow to your skin.

However, we must be careful when its hot outside. If you exfoliate too often, or, are using a really abrasive scrub, especially on skin that has been recently exposed to the sun (sunburn) you may Irritate your skin and increase your sensitivity to UV rays. Stick to mild exfoliators and always follow with a moisturizer, and you should always apply sunscreen. Think of exfoliation as a polish for your skin, but you are not polishing it, you are merely removing the dead skin, and you should be careful, not push hard on your skin.

 7. Keep It Cool with Facial Mists

A facial mist is more than a refreshing treat on a sweltering day. If you want to provide moisture quickly and relieve your skin’s discomfort while on the go and in a hurry, nothing works better. You can quickly spritz your skin with a few sprays when you’re on the beach, flying across the country, or simply running errands to make your tired, hot skin feel refreshed. Ingredients like rose water, green tea, aloe vera, and cucumber will help relieve redness, inflammation, and oiliness on the skin, as well as give a little hydrating boost.

In addition to helping skin feel cooler and calmer, facial mists can also be used to set your makeup, calm any irritation, or provide an additional boost of hydration to revive your skin’s natural glow throughout the day. Look for an alcohol-free formula, so it doesn’t dry out your skin.

It never hurts to have a facial mist in your handbag or fridge for that extra boost and cooling effect. You’ll wonder why you didn’t use it sooner once you discover this summer essential.

8. Avoid Heavy Makeup

When it’s hot and humid outside, the combination of thick foundation and assorted layers of makeup can easily cause more damage than not – sweat and oil are not your friend when it comes to makeup! The makeup can melt, it can cake, or even worse, clog your pores that can cause pimples, and nobody wants that – especially in the summertime! The easiest answer is to take it easy on the makeup! Instead of hefty foundation looks, wear tinted moisturizer, BB cream or mineral powder that will give you some coverage while allowing your skin to breathe.

Ignore all of those summer makeup looks you see on TikTok – summer is the time to embrace your glowy skin, and you don’t have to have a ton of makeup on to do it! Use a light long wear product to highlight your features; waterproof mascara, cream blushes, or lip tints that add color and hydrate your skin are your best friends during summer! Less is more, as it relates to a makeup look as it also keeps your skin healthier (and let’s face it), it gives you that effortless summer dewy look that brings out your fresh faced complexion and is complimented by anyone!

 9. Protect Your Skin with Accessories

Sunscreen is a critical player of your summer skincare routine, but not your only player. Clothing and accessories also contribute to the layer of defense against the sun’s rays and decreases the risk of sunburn as well as long-term skin harm. Wide-brimmed hats, UV protective sunglasses, and light breathable long-sleeved garments are all options to protect your face, eyes, and arms – the most exposed areas of your body. 

Clothing and accessories are essential when the sun is at its peak (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), when UV levels are at their highest. Many clothing brands also offer summer apparel with built-in UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), which is better defense compared to regular clothing. In addition to smart fashion choices, the at-home skincare products that you use in the summer will not be as effective as when combined with clothing, giving you both, looking good as you reduce sun exposure.

10. Prioritize Your Nighttime Routine

During sleep, your skin does more repair than during the day, so your nighttime skincare routine is even more important during these hot, humid summer months when your skin takes a beating from sun exposure, sweat and pollution. The first step is to thoroughly cleanse your skin, remove sunscreen and makeup, then apply a hydrating toner or serum to replace hydration you’ve lost throughout the day. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and panthenol to help cool and calm overheated skin.

If you want to truly repair your skin while you’re sleeping, consider adding treatment targeting nighttime repair, like niacinamide to reduce inflammatory responses, vitamin C to brighten, or ceramides as a skin barrier reinforcement. Once or twice a week, use a super hydrating overnight mask. Treat your evening skincare routine like skin therapy: to take time for you to nourish and restore your skin back to vibrancy and you will wake up glowing!

Final Thoughts: Keep That Summer Glow Going

Caring for your skin during summer doesn’t have to be hard. With a few thoughtful changes to your summer skin care routine, that includes sunscreen, lots of water and the right products, you can avoid damage and keep a glowing, healthy complexion.

So, enjoy the sunshine outside, but don’t forget to protect and pamper your skin, too. Your summer glow will appreciate it.