Non-negotiable Summer Skincare Necessities 

The summer is coming, and it’s even hotter than ever. These are non-negotiable summer skincare necessities that you have to start doing for this coming season. With record-breaking temperatures and perpetual heat waves, these tips are more important than ever in order to protect the skin.

Keep reading to find out what these non-negotiable summer skincare necessities are, why your skincare routine needs to change in the summer, and how these tips can benefit your skin.

Why Do Skin Needs Change

So, why do our skin needs change with the seasons? Well, as the climate changes, so do the conditions that the skin is exposed to. Our Skin barrier is the first line of defense that our insides have from the outside world. It contains its own microbiome that can be beneficial or harmful to us. Therefore, it is important for us to do what we can to support the health of our skin barrier. 

When we don’t support our skin, we expose ourselves to many different issues. A Skin barrier that is in trouble will likely experience sensitivity, inflammation, or even pain to the touch. You may start breaking out more and experiencing acne. There is also a chance of collagen deterioration and in the worst cases, if we do not adequately protect our skin, we expose ourselves to the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, we need to follow the following non-negotiable summer skincare tips.

Non-negotiable Summer Skincare Necessities 

Here are the most important non-negotiable summer skincare necessities you need to start following in order to support your skin barrier health. It is highly important for us to take care of our skin in order to prevent skin concerns such as irritation, inflammation, DNA damage, and diseases such as cancer.

1. Use a Suitable SPF Formulation

So, as the weather gets hotter, it’s important for your sunscreen or sunblock to change formulation. This can be done using a more lightweight formula that is more of a gel. When it is cold, a thicker, heavier SPF formulation might be suitable, but it may not be great for hot weather. Therefore, one change you can make is to switch up the consistency of your SPF. 

Plus, it may be important for your formulation to be waterproof. If you spend time outside, you are more likely to sweat or be exposed to more summer humidity. This means that your sun protection will diminish due to your normal daily activity. A waterproof SPF formulation may be better in the long run, especially if you plan to go swimming or do any sort of outdoor activity. 

While I may use the terms sunscreen and sunblock interchangeably here, there are differences in the ingredients of the products. In terms of formulation, sunblock tends to be made up of physical sun protection such as titanium dioxide or zinc while chemical sunscreen tends to be made out of inorganic ingredients such as octisalate. Physical sun production tends to be non-irritating, blocking UV radiation from the skin. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV radiation from the sun and tend to not leave a visible layer on the skin, which makes them easier to work with.

2. More Sunscreen

In general, it might be better to apply more sunblock. This means you apply a thicker layer than you normally would. A good hack for this is to apply about a finger’s worth of sunblock at a time. Use a finger’s worth of sunblock, wait for it to rub in, then apply another layer on top.

Furthermore, your SPF should be increased in the summer. Your sunblock should contain an SPF of at least 50 or more. This is because the sun will be harsher and more direct, which can lead to more damage in the hotter months.

3. Reapply Sun Protection 

The final non-negotiable summer skincare necessity, surprise surprise, also has to do with sunscreen. Remember that you have to reapply sunblock. This is because it loses its ability to protect you from the Sun the more it is exposed to light. Sunblock should be reapplied every 90 minutes to 2 hours. 

You should reapply even more if you tend to sweat or when you are swimming. Make sure that you wait at least 15 minutes after reapplying before going into the water or doing anything outdoors.

Bonus Tip: Double Cleanse Daily

Here is a bonus tip that has nothing to do with sunblock, kind of. This is to double cleanse at the end of the day. Double cleansing is when you first use a balm or oil-based cleanser to break down anything on the skin, then follow up with a water-based cleanser. This is very important when you are using waterproof sunscreen or makeup. It is also important for anyone who is exposed to air pollutants or toxins during the day. A balm or oil cleanse is a great way to break down anything that is stuck on the face, and following it up with a water-based cleanser helps to leave the skin completely clean and refreshed.

Skincare Health Tips

Signs of a compromised Skin barrier include redness, acne, sensitivity, pain, inflammation, and dry, flaky patches. If you’re experiencing any of these signs, please reduce the amount of active ingredients you are using such as retinoids or exfoliators. Drop down to a basic skincare routine that consists of cleansing and moisturizing. 

Make sure that the products you use do not contain irritating ingredients such as fragrance, citrus acids, or other irritating substances. Remember to always patch-test new skincare products by placing a small amount on your arm or leg, and waiting up to two days to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. Try to only add one new skincare product into your routine at a time so that your skin can get used to this new product.

The Takeaway

Sun protection is the most important thing you can do for skin health. But by having good SPF, you are preventing DNA damage and cell destruction. Try to ensure that you have a good SPF, with a formulation that is above 50 SPF. Make sure the formulation is waterproof if you aim to be outside, as being outside will likely expose you to sweat, humidity, and other elements. It is also important for you to reapply often, every 90 minutes at least. Skin health is absolutely something that everyone should be taking care of in order to prevent disease and issues.

Remember that health comes from within. Eat healthy, nutritious meals, exercise when you can, and take care of your mental health. Daily habits become the building blocks for emotional, mental, and physical health. Take care of your gut health too! Learn everything you need to know about gut microbiota today for free here.