Table of Contents >>
- 1 What is Skin Care? Why is it Important?
- 2 8 Steps Guide to a Perfect Summer Skin Care Routine
- 3 Summer Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin
- 4 Summer Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
- 5 Summer Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin
- 6 5 Best Home Remedies for Summer Skin Care Routine
- 7 FAQs on Summer Skin Care Routine
Shakespeare, in one of his sonnets, compares his lover to a summer’s day. If only he had experienced Indian Summers!
Indian summers can be extremely hot and humid. Moreover, the atmosphere is becoming hotter with every new day and the sun harsher. This extremity of weather naturally takes a toll on your skin. Sun tanning, dry skin, breakouts, and dehydration are the only placeable effects of the summers on the skin. But prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can prompt many other skin issues, including skin cancer in extreme cases.
However, you have no reason to get anxious. A good summer skin care routine will ensure your skin stays healthy and glowing even during these scorching hot days. If you are wondering how to achieve that, we will guide you through the best summer skin care routine for every skin type in this article.
What is Skin Care? Why is it Important?
Skin Care is an essential part of both health and beauty. Many mistake skin care products for makeup. But while makeup highlights your best features, skin care products avoid and correct skin problems to maintain your skin’s health and natural glow. Skin Care is any custom care regime you follow to keep your skin healthy and nourished. It involves 3 main aspects:
- Cleansing
- Moisturising
- Treating Specific Conditions
Skin Care is the solution to all your skin problems. That said, skin care is not only for people with skin issues. Skin Care is for everyone who wants to protect the largest organ in their body.
Why do you need a skin care routine?
- Skin care helps maintain skin health by cleansing, nourishing, and protecting the skin from pollutants.
- Skin care adds to your natural beauty by solving many beauty problems, such as tanning, acne, and black and whiteheads. It also adds a natural glow to the skin.
- Skin care offers protection against premature ageing by fighting wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of ageing.
- It avoids and treats many skin problems, such as acne, irritation, eczema, skin cancer, etc.
How Does Summer Affect Your Skin?
Summer is such a struggle for people with oily skin. Maintaining decent skin hygiene becomes a real challenge with all the sweat dripping from all over the body. But the season is not any kinder to those with dry skin. With the skin concerns such as dehydration, tanning, and rashes, Summer takes an equal toll on every skin type.
- Sweating is crucial to maintain the moisture in the skin and cool it. But excessive sebum may clog the skin pores by mixing with dead skin cells and other impurities, leading to pimples, acne, dark spots, and other blemishes.
- Melanin protects our skin tissues from the harmful UV rays of the sun. But excess melanin also leads to tanning, uneven skin tone, and blemishes.
- High temperatures and humidity in the summer cause dehydration. But exposure to air conditioning, chlorinated water from swimming pools, and repeated cleansing can also whip the moisture away from the skin.
- The UV rays from the sun cause damage to collagen and elastin. They are the barrier protecting the skin and keeping it supple. When they are damaged, skin loosens, causing symptoms of premature ageing, like wrinkles.
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is more taxing on sensitive skin. It causes various allergic symptoms, such as rashes, irritation, eruption, etc.
- Extreme cases of sun damage can also lead to skin cancer.
8 Steps Guide to a Perfect Summer Skin Care Routine
Sun tan, greasiness, rashes, and acne are common skin problems during the summer. But don’t let that stop you from living your best life.
Here is a simple and effective skin care routine for Indian summers that will keep your skin healthy and glowing throughout the Indian summer.
1. Sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful UV Radiation
Sunscreens are not just for summer. sunscreen protects from harmful radiation all year round. But it is a must-have skin care product for summer when the sun is a little extra savage. Make sure you get one with a broad spectrum and above SPF 30. Do not neglect the lips, they need protection too. Buy a lip balm with SPF to help block out harmful UV rays.
Sunscreen may not offer complete protection from the sun. But it significantly minimises problems like age spots, blackheads, wrinkles, sunburn, and tanning. Regular application of SPF 15 reduces the risks of developing skin cancer. So, stock up your skin care rack with the best sunscreen for the summer season.
- Apply sunscreen on the bare skin.
- Cover the face, ears, neck, hands, feet, and other parts exposed to sunlight.
- Reapplying sunscreen every two hours is ideal.
- Reapply also after sweating or cleansing.
2. Use Moisturiser to Restore the Lost Hydration
Do not get lazy with your moisturizer routine just ’cause it’s summer. Indian summers are no joke. The scorching heat can dehydrate your skin and leave it dry and dull. So, refill your skin care rack with the best moisturizer for summer.
The cream moisturisers are not a good idea for summer when the skin is already sweating like crazy. They will only further weigh down your skin. Instead, opt for some good lotions or gel moisturisers. If you managed to find one with SPF protection, you’re set for the season. If you are currently looking for a top-notch option, consider LAKME Peach Milk face moisturiser that comes with an SPF 24 PA++.
- Choose a light lotion or gel moisturiser for summer.
- Go for the one with SPF protection.
- Moisturisers are best absorbed when applied right after a shower.
- Apply makeup within 5 minutes of applying moisturiser.
- Reapply it every 2 hours and also after sweating or cleansing.
3. Avoid Repetitive Cleansing to Reduce Skin Dehydration
Cleansing is essential to skin care. But just be careful not to go overboard with it, as you may end up doing more harm to your skin than good.
The hot weather and excessive sweating may tempt you to cleanse more often. But too much of it will strip the natural moisture off your skin. Instead, aim to take quick showers once or twice daily to feel fresh. Use a face wash once or twice daily, depending on your skin type and requirements.
- Use a gentle cleanser or face wash before applying the other skin care products in the morning.
- Do not use face wash more than twice a day.
- Rinse the face instead of using face wash when you want to remove the sweat.
- Avoid long and frequent baths.
- Avoid hot water baths or cleansing.
4. Apply Minimal Makeup to Avoid Clogging in the Skin Pores
When it’s hot outside, and your skin is sweating too much, applying heavy makeup is a no-go. Sweating melts the makeup, and your face will be a hot mess. What’s more, it might also clog the skin pores causing breakouts.
We recommend a minimal makeup look on summer days. Nobody wants dull skin weighed down by sweat and melted makeup. So, go for lighter skin care and makeup products that do not smudge or slide off your face.
5. Look for Makeup with SPF Above 30 for Maximum Protection
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and you need SPF protection throughout the day. Sunscreens above SPF 30 are crucial to protect your skin against the harmful rays from the sun. But reapplying sunscreen when you have makeup on can be a pain.
SPF makeup is surely not a substitute for sunscreens. But it makes reapplication of the SPF easier, and you can stay protected all day. You can choose from various SPF makeup options, such as tinted moisturizers, foundations, sprays, primers, lipsticks, and lip balms.
6. Exfoliation to Deep Cleanse the Skin
Exfoliation is crucial during summer. Clogging of the skin pores and breakouts are common skin concerns during the summer, which makes the skin dull and gross. Exfoliation is a skin care method used to remove dead cells from the surface of skin using scrubs and chemicals which unclogs the pores and prevents breakouts.
While exfoliation helps prevent breakouts, removing dead skin cells, dirt, and excess sebum from the skin helps the skin better absorb skin care products. The skin gets a healthy glow by removing the pollutants on the surface.
- Choose a gentle exfoliant that suits your skin for the summer face care routine.
- Exfoliation is crucial for oily, dry, and combination skin types.
- Oily skin is more prone to clogged pores. So, exfoliating twice a week will help the pores to stay clear.
- But people with dry skin can exfoliate once a week. Too much exfoliation may remove all the moisture from the dry skin.
- People with combination skin can do it twice a week to exfoliate their face.
- Exfoliating once a week with a gentle exfoliant is a good option for sensitive skin. Consulting a dermatologist before choosing an exfoliant is strongly recommended for sensitive skin.
- Exfoliation may worsen sunburns. So, avoid exfoliation in case of sunburns.
- Exfoliating more than once or twice a week may lead to irritation and cracked skin. So, limit it to once or twice a week, depending on your skin type.
7. Use Vitamin C Serum to Prevent Sun Damage
Vitamin C is the ultimate skin protector as it contains antioxidants that protect the skin against the harmful effects of the sun, pollution, and free radicals.
Use the vitamin C serum once or twice a day after cleansing before moisturizing with a lotion, gel, or cream.
The intense heat and sunlight during summer can make your skin age faster, leading to visible signs such as wrinkles, age spots, and loss of firmness. Applying Vitamin C serum or skin care products enriched with Vitamin C can help manage these symptoms by promoting collagen production. It also hydrates the skin and fades the tan and pigmentation.
In fact, vitamin C is the solution to most skin problems in summer. If you are looking for one of the best vitamin C serums for the face at a reasonable price, we recommend the Garnier Bright Complete Vitamin C Serum.
- Applying Vitamin C serum to the face benefits its health significantly and is safe for most skin types.
- Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-pollution properties help fight many skin blemishes.
- Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, improving the skin barrier and texture. It brightens the skin and keeps it firmer and more elastic for a long time.
- Vitamin C keeps the skin hydrated by locking the moisture in the skin.
- Vitamin C’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the redness in the skin and puffiness of the eyes. It fights many skin issues, such as itchiness, dark spots, tanning, and other issues common in summer.
- Tanning, age spots, and sunspots are recurrent problems in the summer. The root cause for these problems is the overproduction of melanin due to the harsh sun. Vitamin C serum offers a solution to these issues by suppressing melanin synthesis.
That said, if you are trying vitamin C serum for the first time, ensure your skin is not allergic to it. Any skin care product or its ingredients may cause allergies in different people. So, it is crucial to try it on a small area of your skin before adding them to your skin care routine.
8. Choose Fashion that Protects from the Sun
Fashion is not stagnant, but ever-changing trends in fashion stress functionality and comfort. Choose your outfits and accessories smartly for the summer. Hats, colourful umbrellas, and sunglasses keep you protected from the sun. Dark and bright colours absorb UV rays better than lighter colours. So, go for red, navy blue, black, and more in tightly woven fabrics.
Summer Skin Care Routine for Oily Skin
Come summer, your gorgeously hydrated skin becomes the prime breeding ground for pimples and acne. But with a good skin care routine, you can totally manage your skin issues and still look stunning! Here are Xuper tips for a daily skin care routine for oily skin.
- Summer skin care for oily skin focuses on keeping the excess oil in control.
- Use a facewash twice a day, which removes excess oil without drying your skin out. You can consider Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser.
- Invest in a toner to remove excess oil and impurities after cleansing, shrink the pores, give an even smooth complexion, and better absorb the skin care products.
- Consider using a lightweight and easily absorbed Vitamin C serum to combat acne.
- Go for non-comedogenic and lightweight sunscreens such as Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ lotion that protects without clogging the skin pores.
- Use a non-comedogenic and lightweight moisturiser to keep your oily skin hydrated and prevent the excess sebum from compensating for dehydration.
- Exfoliation twice weekly using milder scrubs with salicylic acid or glycolic acid to deep cleanse without being too harsh on your skin.
- Use a face mask or face pack once or twice weekly to unclog the pores and soothe irritated skin. Just don’t go overboard, as you may end up with even oilier skin.
Summer Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
Without proper skin care, the summer’s sun can wreak more havoc on dry skin than the winter’s chill, leading to irritation and sunburns, tanning and a lot of frustration. So, get set for your new summer skin care routine for dry skin and keep it happy all season long.
- During summer, Hydration is the focus of skin care for dry skin.
- Limit your facewash or cleanser to once a day. Look for gentle, hydrating face washes like Himalaya Moisturising Aloe Vera Face Wash. If you need to clean the sweat later, simply rinse your face with plain cold water.
- Incorporate the basicCTM (Cleansing, Toning, and Moisturising) routine focusing on Hydration. Go for the hydrating toner and moisturising lotion that gives your skin maximum Hydration.
- Go for asunscreen that quickly absorbs the skinand protects against a broad spectrum. We recommend Lakme Sun Expert SPF 50 PA +++ Ultra Matte Gel sunscreen.
- Limit theexfoliation to once a weekwith a mild and hydrating exfoliant scrub.
- Apply a face mask or face pack twice or thrice a weekto cleanse, hydrate, and add a glow to dry skin.
Summer Skin Care Routine for Combination Skin
When you have combination skin, finding a balance between the needs of oily and dry areas on the face can be tedious. But don’t worry, we have a few quick tips that can help you come up with a skin care routine tailored to your unique skin requirements.
- Like dry skin, CTM is crucial for combination skin. However, you need to mind the differences in the skin areas while using them.
- Using cleansers twice a day is perfect for combination skin. Use agentle cleanser in the morningon your face focusing on the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). You can use anoil cleanser likeMamaearth Charcoal Face Washin the eveningto remove the makeup and pollutants from the T-zone.
- Nourish your skin with agentle toner like retinolthat goes well with combination skin.
- Focus the moisturiser on dry areas like the cheeks and along the jaw.
- Use alightweight sunscreen in the form of gel or lotion, so it does not weigh your skin down. You can consider the Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel sunscreen with SPF 50 PA+++ protection.
- Use a gentle, water-based exfoliant twice or thrice a week. Look for a leave-on exfoliant with BHA, as they are a gentle alternative to scrubs and brushes and work well on both oily and dry areas on the face.
5 Best Home Remedies for Summer Skin Care Routine
Although the Indian skin care market offers a wide range of products, some of the most effective skin care ingredients can be easily found in your kitchen and garden. If you are looking for some DIY skin care products, here are some recipes you can consider.
1. Aloe Vera for Hydration and Repairing the Damaged Cells
Aloe Vera is known for its hydrating, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Massaging it on the skin for at least 15 to 20 minutes daily will soothe and hydrate the irritated skin. You can mix the aloe vera pulp, rose water, glycerine, and lemon juice in equal amounts to apply on the bare skin at night. This mixture hydrates the skin and repairs the damaged skin cells. You can wash it off in the morning.
2. DIY Vitamin C Serum for Nourishment
Preparing a vitamin C serum at home with lemons might not be a good idea as you would require the vitamin C in the right concentration to ripe the right results. But you can use vitamin C tablets for the recipe.
Step 1: Mix rose water with aloe vera gel until the lumps are dissolved.
Step 2: Add crushed vitamin C and E capsules and stir until they dissolve.
Step 3: Add a tablespoon of glycerin and stir the mixture.
3. Turmeric Face Mask for Acne removal and Hydration
Turmeric is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. It is combined with various ingredients to treat multiple skin concerns like acne, tanning, sunburns, damaged skin cells, dull-looking skin and more. Besides, it suits most skin types.
Dry skin: You can prepare a hydrating mask for dry skin by mixing a pinch of turmeric powder with a teaspoon of milk and honey. It also helps treat acne and skin damage and offers a healthy glow to the skin.
Oily Skin: Mix 2 teaspoons of gram flour, half a teaspoon of turmeric, and half a teaspoon of lemon juice with a bit of water to achieve a paste-like consistency. This mask helps remove extra oil from the skin, fights acne, and makes the skin radiant.
4. Lemon and Coffee Face Mask for Exfoliation and Radiant Skin
We know that lemon is rich in vitamin C, which makes it an antioxidant. It helps reduce pigmentation, dark spots, and tanning. However, coffee also has excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. You can mix these two in equal amounts to prepare a face mask that exfoliates and gives a natural glow to the skin.
5. Honey and Oats Scrub for Radiant Skin
Honey is a natural humectant and has antiseptic properties.
Oatmeal is also known to improve the skin barrier.
You can mix a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of ground oats and a little rose water to get the paste-like consistency. This mask exfoliates, and hydrates the skin naturally. You can also use this mask on sun-damaged skin to soothe it.
FAQs on Summer Skin Care Routine
What are the best skin care habits?
Here are the best skin care habits:
- Follow CTM (cleanser, toner and moisturiser) every day.
- Use sunscreen in every season.
- Choose the products formulated for your skin type.
- Do not miss caring for your lips, under your eyes, hands and legs.
- Visit the dermatologist regularly.
What are the 3 most important skin care products for summer?
The 3 most important skin care products are cleanser, toner and moisturiser.
Should you use a toner in summer?
Yes, toner is important during summer as it helps remove excess oil when your skin gets greasy and removes impurities.
Can you use vitamin C serum in the summer?
Yes, vitamin C is best for all seasons. But it is more important in the summer as its antioxidants will help you fight many summer skin issues such as dark spots, wrinkles, tanning, and more.
How can I get glowing skin in summer?
To get glowing skin in summer, follow the summer skin care routine.
- Cleansing
- Vitamin C Serum
- toning
- Moisturizing
- Sunscreen
- Exfoliation