1) Get Light
- The heat and humidity of summer mean skin can become bogged down and congested. Swap heavy cream & oil cleansers for non-foaming and gentle. Moisturising creams can suitability be exchanged for lighter lotions and serums.
2) Avoid layering
- No need to use separate products to target different concerns. A moisturiser with SPF would be better than using both a moisturised followed by a sun protection product. Applying too much product to the skin can lead to clogged pores, breakouts and inflammation.
3) Incorporate or increase exfoliation
- Over-exfoliating all year round is bad practice. It is best to incorporate exfoliation slowly, gradually increasing weekly sessions. This is particularly true of oily skin types where dead skin buildup can increase. AHA and BHA are the most effective exfoliators for home use. Beware! chemical exfoliators such as salicylic acid can make the skin more susceptible to sun damage. Such leave-on skincare is preferred at night or followed by sunscreen during the day.
4) Avoid or reduce these aesthetic skincare treatments
- Light-based treatments and chemical peels. These include IPL photo facials, hair removal and all forms of skin peeling. Laser and IPL increase skin reactivity. Complications are far more likely to occur in warmer months such as burns, scarring, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Peels & laser can be safe & effective during summer but treatment areas must remain covered and strict sunscreen usage must be adhered to. This may mean using higher sun factor than we would in winter.
5) Maintain a healthy skincare routine
- Summer is the optimal time to build and maintain skincare routines. Identify our skin type and prep for professional aesthetic treatments during cooler months. We should be using cleansers, exfoliators, toners, serums and sun protection. A super active ingredient for summer is Vitamin C, our antioxidant serum.
6) Home rollering for enhanced product absorption
- Micro-needling is a rejuvenating treatment that does not sensitise the skin to the sun. Home micro-needling using roller sizes up to 0.25mm for the purpose of product absorption is a great way to enhance skincare and professional treatments received at a clinic. If we do this throughout summer our skin will be given a boost and much better prepared for professional needling, laser and peel treatments. Avoid going deeper than 0.25mm and opt for titanium needles with CE marking which indicates health and safety standards.
7) Hydrate
- Discover toners. They're light and act as a humectant pulling and drawing water into the skin. Hyaluronic is a key ingredient as is aloe vera which refreshes and re-balances skin while sweeping away surface impurities. See toner for oily skin. Replenish internally with adequate water intake usually recommended at 2.5l per day.
8) Sun protection
- The most important thing we can do during Spring & Summer is to use SPF. Sun damage is the number cause of premature ageing. Harmful UV rays can and will deepen existing concerns of hyperpigmentation. Chemical sunscreen is easily absorbed, water-resistant and leaves less of a residue. Active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone. Physical sunscreens tend to feel heavy and can be difficult to blend in. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the main active ingredients in physical blocks.
Whether choosing physical or chemical SPF, there are several things to look for on-label and those are:
- SPF of at least 30 or higher during Spring/Summer
- Broad-spectrum (Protects against UVA and UVA)
- Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Frgrance-free
- Paraben-free