Whether you love structure or are more spontaneous, routines are probably part of your life. After all, we all have routines like grabbing a morning coffee at our favorite spot, or meal planning before the week begins. When it comes to skincare, routines are essential year-round but often require some changes for the warmer months. Here are our top suggestions gathered from our expert team at Renew, on how to make effective changes to your current skincare regime:

1. Purge out old products: The summer months are a great time to play at the lake or soak up the sun and because of busy schedules, it can be hard to remember to review your skincare products. We recommend going through your whole makeup and skincare drawer and throwing away anything that is expired, leaking, or the wrong shade (in addition, don’t forget to throw away or deep clean old brushes and sponges since bacteria can live on the surfaces). Many people wear less makeup during the summer since sweat can cause heavier products to “melt” or crease. Using less makeup during the summer also can give your skin a break and help your pores breathe. 
2. Be mindful of the makeup products you are applying: Once you’ve purged any old products and beauty tools, you may have gaps in your makeup collection. Upgrading to a healthier makeup line can have many benefits for your skin year-round, but can provide additional protection during the summer. For example, switching to a mineral makeup can have these benefits: 

• It won’t clog your pores, because it doesn’t contain talc.
• It’s ideal for sensitive skin because it doesn’t contain chemical dyes.
• During hot weather, mineral makeup won’t sweat off. 

1. Use plenty of SPF: If you have carefully applied your makeup, the last thing you probably want to do is add a layer of white sunscreen on top and rub away all your hard work. However, there are many great alternatives to yesteryear’s thick sunscreens, and several protective choices are sheer. Here at Renew Medical Spa, we offer the EltaMD® line. These sunscreen products are all transparent, non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores), fragrance-free, and paraben-free, so you can feel good about wearing them daily. Find the entire line HERE. If you’re wondering what level of SPF is appropriate for you, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends at least SPF 30 or higher. Lastly, extra UV radiation exposure in the summertime leads to more damaging ‘free radicals’ on the skin. Fight this damage with the antioxidants in Vitamin C serums and moisturizers (like ZO Skin Health 10% Vitamin C). Adding a boost of Vitamin C to your summer skin care regimen will help block the UV rays that aren’t fully blocked by your sunscreen.
2. Help eliminate excess oils: If you’ve ever noticed increased breakouts in the summer months, there’s a good reason why: the increase in temperature and humidity causes excess natural oils. This oil can build up, become trapped in pores and lead to a sticky feeling on the skin’s surface. To combat this, we recommend using a face wash suited to your particular skin type that can remove excess dirt and grime. If you have dry skin, choose a non-foaming cleanser. No matter your skin type, look for a cleanser that is alcohol-free, mild, and pH balanced. A pH-balanced cleanser will keep your skin as close to an optimal level of 5.0-6.0. A balanced pH level helps maintain your moisture barrier and keep your skin from feeling “stripped” of nutrients. A final way that you can decrease excess oil is through weekly exfoliation. This will keep your skin clean and healthy. 
3. Don’t neglect the other parts of your body: When it comes to summer skincare, many assume they only need to focus on the face. Instead, it’s vital to protect the eyes, lips, and feet. These areas can become dry and damaged and make you look older than you are when wrinkles and creases set in. Using a lip balm with SPF is an easy and affordable way to protect your lips, and you can apply sunscreen to your feet when you are wearing open-toed shoes. Lastly, sunglasses should be your companion no matter where you are during summer (keep a spare pair in your glovebox or purse). Products like Epionce Barrier Cream can help restore moisture and reduce inflammation and can be used anywhere on the body due to its natural botanical formula. 

The changing temperatures can adversely affect your skin (think air conditioning and humidity) but the good news is that you can help prevent damage by proactively creating healthy habits. When beginning new habits, studies show it’s crucial to be patient with the process and give yourself time to adapt to new skincare or makeup. If you need support and accountability on your skincare journey, we are always here to help. Contact us today to begin your free consultation. 

Sources:

https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6378489/ 

Please note that the above information is intended to be observed as guidelines and is not intended to be a substitute for or construed as informed medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of licensed skincare professional with any questions you may have regarding facial skin and health.