Liz Earle UK

Why your skin behaves differently in summer?
Why your skin behaves differently in summer

From office air conditioning drying out the skin, to long periods of travel without adequate hydration, and more time outdoors increasing skin exposure to harmful UV rays, the changes to our daily routines during the summer months can have a knock-on effect on how our skin behaves.  

In the summer months, humidity can make your skin produce more oil, while your body produces sweat to combat heat. This can cause congested skin and clogged pores, while increased sun exposure can leave your skin feeling sensitive or irritated. With most summer skin concerns centring around excess oil, dehydration and sun damage, keeping on top of cleansing, hydration and sun care are essential for skin that looks and feels healthy all summer long. 

The summer skincare routine you actually need
The summer skincare routine you actually need

Step 1: Cleanse Thoroughly

During the summer, you’re more likely to be re-applying sunscreen multiple times during the day to stay protected. This increased number of products and layers of skincare means more buildup, so it’s essential you have a thorough cleansing routine that removes sweat, make up, SPF and pollution to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. 

If you’re wearing heavy makeup under your SPF, we recommend you double cleanse to ensure your skin is free from product before your nighttime routine and going to bed. The Superskin™ Advanced Neroli & Rose Cleansing Balm is perfect for your first cleanse; it contains acacia tree extract and pomegranate oil that hydrates and boosts the feeling of elasticity with a citrus-floral fragrance. 

We love the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser for a deep, hydrating second cleanse that removes pollution and daily grime, without stripping your skin. This icon contains calming chamomile and moisturising coca butter, as well as eucalyptus essential oil and rosemary.  

Step 2: Apply A Hydrating Serum

Despite the increased oil production potentially making you shinier than normal, healthy summer skin still needs hydration. Increased exposure to environmental dehydrators like sun exposure, humidity, air conditioning and increased sweating all contribute to water loss in the skin, so don’t skimp out on the hydrating products during summer. 

Quench thirsty summer skin with a lightweight serum for an added boost. Hyaluronic acid will be your best friend, as it attracts and retains water in the skin cells, helping to boost hydration, support your skin moisture barrier, and plump your skin too, without feeling heavy. Best used on damp skin for increased absorption, try the Superskin™ Advanced Brightening Essence, a bi-phase formula that intensively smoothes, hydrates and reduces the appearance of fine lines. 

Step 3: Moisture

A common skincare mistake people often make is not moisturising their skin in the summer because of increased sweat and oil production. Just like the hydration we talked about earlier, it’s important to maintain moisture in your skin through the summer too. A good moisturiser not only helps to seal in your serums from the previous step, but it helps to boost moisture and enhance the look of plumpness in the skin. 

Swapping your regular moisturiser for one that’s more lightweight, like the Revitalise & Glow™ Illuminating Gel Moisturiser is a great option as it has an extra boost of built-in moisture that leaves your skin feeling more resilient, firmer and rejuvenated without the heavy, sticky feeling of thicker creams. 

Step 4: SPF Every Single Day

If there’s one thing you take away from this article, it’s that daily SPF is a non-negotiable. Wearing SPF every single day is a must, even on cloudy, rainy days. It’s especially important if you’re sweating, swimming or spending more time outdoors under the sun’s UV rays to ensure you’re properly protected against sun damage, premature ageing and skin cancer. Remember to re-apply sunscreen every two hours to ensure you’re fully protected, focusing on areas where the skin exposed and burns easily. For your face, that means your nose, forehead, lips and cheeks. And for your body, it means any skin that isn’t covered, including your chest, arms, back, legs and feet.