How to keep your skin comfortable and cool this summer
Go-to products and skincare tips to get you through the hotter months
In contrast to many Brits, I’ll take an hour of sweltering on a bus over one single minute of being chilled to the bone by a January wind, but even I have to admit that summer is not the most forgiving season when it comes to skin. Sun exposure, dehydration and sweat mixed with pollution and pore-clogging sunscreen can often lead to a plethora of concerns including heat rash, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, dryness or, for those with sensitive skin, increased irritation.
Although we all adapt our wardrobes for the changing seasons without a second thought, we don’t always extend the same care to our skin routines. Thicker, heavy-duty creams that are great for protecting us from harsh winter conditions can be too heavy for the summer months, trapping in grime and sweat.
“After a weekend in the sun and hot weather overnight, you may find your face and back are more congested than normal,” advise the dermatologists at Skinwork Soho. “Congestion from sweat, sunburn and dehydration will all show on your skin. Focus on keeping cool and hydrated, and protecting the skin.”
Although adjustments are tailored to the individual, depending on their skin type, Skinwork dermatologists generally recommend picking products with healing and hydrating ingredients, particularly serums, as well as following effective cleansing routines in the morning and evening. I choose to double-cleanse with Elemis’s cult Pro-Collagen cleansing balm (now also available in a deliciously fruity and seasonal black cherry scent), followed by Youth to the People’s award-winning Superfood Cleanser.
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“If you are suffering from congestion, resurfacing ingredients [such as AHAs, BHAs, retinoids and enzymes] will be very beneficial to target the breakout and prevent more from developing, but be aware not to overload with active ingredients as the skin can be more reactive when sensitive in the hot weather. A great tip is to also use a resurfacing wash on your back, shoulders, arms and chest,” Skinwork’s experts say.
We all know by now that finishing your skincare routine with sunscreen is a year-round must, but making sure you’re protected from the increased UV index and sun exposure in summer is crucial. Wearing a 50+ SPF helps prevent skin-ageing damage and pigmentation. Australian brand Ultra Violette has one available for every skin type, as well as a handy quiz to help you figure out which sunscreen is best for you. For touch-ups throughout the day, I’ve got my eye on its Preen Screen, a mist that delivers SPF 50 protection while simultaneously resetting and refreshing your makeup.
When it comes to summer makeup, less is often more. Ditch the heavy foundation for a lighter tinted moisturiser that doesn’t make you feel like your face is melting off on the underground. With Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Gel Tint and its travel-friendly Makeup Must Haves set, you’ve got your dewy summer look sorted.
If you’re lucky enough to be travelling abroad, it’s important to remember that flying itself can be incredibly dehydrating, so make sure you drink plenty of water and grab a sheet mask from the airport. Beautypro’s Hylauronic Acid Hydrating Sheet Mask can be pre-ordered for Airport Click & Collect to save you precious hand luggage space.
If you’re flying long haul and looking for more extensive hydration, this Jet Lag Essentials Set from Summer Fridays has everything you need to step off the plane looking radiant, including hydrogel eye patches infused with cucumber extract, glycerine and niacinamide. The Dua Lipa of my friendship group (beautiful skin, seemingly always on holiday) swears by Sifali’s Sen Barrier Moisturiser for skin barrier repair and deep hydration after a long day at the beach.
My own personal summer skincare must-have is a cooling spray. Avène’s fragrance-free Thermal Spring Water Spray is a soothing handbag staple. This year I’ve also treated myself to Nini Organics Rosé: Rose Water Face Mist, made with aromatic Damascus roses and infused with balancing plant extracts. Store it in the fridge during heatwave days for an extra-cooling treat. For those with dry, sensitive skin, Curél’s Deep Moisture Spray for face and body is a game-changer.
Not all summer skincare involves buying expensive products. When I asked my Instagram followers for their summer go-tos, hydrocortisone cream, fresh-out-of-the-fridge aloe vera gel and household staple Sudocrem were offered as remedies for sunburn, insect bites, shaving rash and chafed skin, as well as E45’s Itch Relief Cool Mousse for eczema sufferers. As already mentioned, drinking plenty of water is key, as is sleep.
“This is when skin heals and you will find breakouts and irritation can increase when you aren’t getting enough sleep,” Skinwork advises. “So, while this can be hard in the hot weather, be sure to go to bed hydrated and in as dark and cool an environment as you can create.”
