As a kid, you count down the days to summer and dread its end like no other. Even when you grow up and realize you’ll never experience the anticipation and joy associated with summer breaks again, the shift in the seasons still brings about a sense of excitement. (Hello, warm weather, the smell of sunscreen, grass under your feet, and driving around with the windows down!) Something else it should bring is a new summer skincare routine. That isn’t to say that the temperature rises and all your favorite face and body care products go out the window, but rather that there are key changes you can make to protect and care for your skin during the warmer months of the year.
To make sure you’re prepared for the season (beyond updating your wardrobe and booking a vacation), we’re revealing eight summer skin tips. Read on for our recommended seasonal skincare guide.
Summer Skincare Tip #1
Wash Away Excess Oil
Hot weather equals more sweat, and that, in turn, leads to greasy skin. This means the first step in your skincare routine—cleansing—is more important than ever. Before you’ve entered the depths of summer, make sure you have a deep face cleanser that’s capable of washing away oil, dirt, and debris without stripping your skin of essential moisture.
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser
We recommend Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash for all skin types (even sensitive skin). This foaming cleanser with calendula and glycerin has a creamy-gel formula that gently lifts away impurities to reveal skin that’s refreshed and revitalized. Oily skin types can also reach for Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser if shine-control is their focus. It’s formulated with oil-absorbing Amazonian white clay, and not only removes oils and toxins, but also helps visibly minimize pores.
Keep in mind, besides switching up your product, you may find that you also need to change how often you cleanse. Washing your face in the morning and at night is standard all year, but it’s recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology to cleanse after sweating, too.
Summer Skincare Tip #2
Use Toner, Too
While toner should be part of your routine year-round, if you’ve yet to hop on the bandwagon, summer is the perfect time to start. The right toner can provide an additional layer of cleansing, removing lingering impurities and face wash residue. Think of face cleanser as your wash cycle and toner as the rinse. Depending on the formula you use, toner can also have a wide range of other benefits, including removing oil, hydrating, and refreshing the skin.
Our soothing Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner is a summertime Kiehl’s-favorite because the harsh weather associated with the season can take a toll on your skin. The face toner helps skin feel soothed and refreshed and is gentle on your skin. Its formula is alcohol-free and doesn’t contain synthetic drying ingredients; what it does star are calendula and allantoin. You can use it morning and night, but we especially like it after a long day spent outdoors.
Summer Skincare Tip #3
Stick With Lightweight Formulas
In the winter, when cold air and aggressive indoor heating are pulling the moisture out of your skin, it’s common to switch to thick moisturizers and creams. Come summer, however, and those same formulas may be too much. Instead, we suggest seeking out lightweight skincare products. They’ll provide your skin with the necessary hydration but won’t feel heavy to wear.
One of our top recommendations is an alcohol and oil-free moisturizer, like Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream. It hydrates while helping to keep skin shine-free all day. The cream also offers an instant cooling feeling and, over time, helps pores appear smaller. Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream is another lightweight option. It’s formulated with our concentrated calendula serum (which is infused with hundreds of micronized calendula petals). Beyond hydrating, it also visibly reduces redness, helps improve uneven texture, and boosts radiance.
Your eye area will be (practically) begging for lightweight moisture, too. You can deliver just that with Avocado Eye Cream. The water-in-oil formula with avocado oil and shea butter hydrates both instantly and long-term. It also immediately improves the look of eye texture and defends the skin around your eyes against the appearance of digital fatigue.
Summer Skincare Tip #4
Protect Skin With a Serum
Chances are, come summertime, you spend more time outside. One consequence of this is that you may be exposed to pollution even more than normal. And outside of its impact on the environment, pollution is also an aggressor that can impact your skin and exacerbate the aging process. Thankfully, there are skincare products to help address this issue.
Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum
Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum is the perfect example. It’s formulated with our smallest form of hyaluronic acid and penetrates eight layers deep. Its benefits include visibly smoothing fine lines and helping skin look more radiant. As for pollution, this serum helps protect skin against skin stressors, such as free radical damage from, you guessed it, pollution.
Kiehl’s Tip: One of the best ways to show your skin TLC in the summer is with chilled products. Pop your face serum into a mini skincare fridge, and take it out once it’s cold. You’ll have a refreshing skincare treat to enjoy. Think of it as the more elevated and better-for-your-skin version of splashing your face with cold water. You can also store skincare tools like jade rollers in the fridge for a cool (literally) end-of-the-day facial massage.
Summer Skincare Tip #5
Prioritize SPF
We can’t talk about summer skincare without covering sun protection. Wearing sunscreen is essential all year long, but even more so in the summer. The sun isn’t only stronger, but the days are also longer. Follow expert sunscreen guidelines, which include wearing a broad-spectrum SPF formula every day and reapplying at least every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+
Once you’ve worked through your skincare routine in the morning, apply Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+. It protects against UVA and UVB rays as well as pollution, plus it has a lightweight formula with a matte finish. Use about a nickel-sized dollop to cover your whole face.
It’s important to also keep your lips sun-safe. Protect your pout with Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30. The lip balm, which is made with coconut oil and lemon butter, hydrates and helps skin feel soothed in addition to offering sun protection. It also comes in five pretty shades (plus clear), so you can choose the perfect hue to complement your summer makeup look.
Summer Skincare Tip #6
Calm Sunburnt Skin
Taking the proper precautions in regards to sun protection is essential, but it’s also key to know what to do when sun damage and burns occur anyway. Don’t just assume you’ll never miss a spot with your sunscreen. That’s ideal but not always realistic. And if your skin does get sunburnt, you want to begin addressing it as soon as possible. This includes drinking more water, wearing clothing that covers your skin when you go outside, and taking cool showers.
To put a pampering twist on this summer skincare tip, we recommend applying a face mask that contains aloe. Calendula Petal-Infused Calming Mask has a moisturizing formula that bursts into a refreshing surge of cooling hydration upon application and helps reduce visible signs of distress. Besides aloe vera, it’s also formulated with calendula and helps skin feel soothed. For body sunburns, Deluxe Hand & Body Lotion is also formulated with aloe vera (as well as oatmeal). It soaks in easily to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.
Summer Skincare Tip #7
Accessorize Appropriately
Beauty and fashion are forever intertwined, and your summer beauty routine is no exception. Using skincare products to protect your skin is one part of an effective routine, but another is wearing the right (fashionable) accessories. This includes sporting UV-blocking sunglasses to shield the delicate skin around your eyes and a broad-brimmed hat to help block your entire face.
Summer Skincare Tip #8
Don’t Forget Your Scalp
Last but not least, you need to think about your scalp. It may be covered in hair, but underneath it’s skin, just like the rest of your face and body. And as such, it’s equally vulnerable to summer skin problems. As a result, you may need to consider a clarifying shampoo to help address increased sebum secretion. For sun protection, wearing a hat as previously recommended will help protect your scalp.
Another tip is to style your strands in a look that doesn’t leave your part exposed. Trust us, burning that sensitive skin hurts. Use a comb to brush the hair straight back (no part) and secure it into a ponytail or bun. Conveniently, these hairstyles are also perfect for an active summer day.
