Your Guide to Summer Skin
Longer days, rising temperatures and more time outdoors can leave your skin feeling oilier, drier or more easily irritated. A few updates to your summer skincare routine can help, from choosing textures that suit the humidity to keeping up with hydration and daily sun protection.
This guide walks you through each step, with practical advice for different skin types and common seasonal concerns.
Summer Skincare Routine
In warmer months, sweat, excess oil, dehydration and more time in the sun can all affect your skin. In this section, we’ll cover how to cleanse away sunscreen and daily build-up, add targeted treatments for concerns such as breakouts or dullness, maintain hydration and finish with daily SPF. The goal is a balanced routine that feels fresh, comfortable and easy to keep up.
“The perfect summer skincare routine is the one you do consistently. Focus on the steps you’ll happily return to every day.” – Isabel Clarke, Beauty e-Commerce Manager, Myer
1. Use Cleansers
Heat, humidity, sweat and sunscreen can leave extra residue on your skin. A good face cleanser washes this without leaving your face feeling stripped or tight. Creamy, hydrating formulas can suit dry or sensitive skin, while gel and foaming cleansers may suit you if shine or excess oil are your main concerns.
2. Exfoliate With Care
Exfoliation can help lift away dead surface cells and leave skin feeling smoother. Select a face exfoliator and a body exfoliator that suit your skin type and follow the directions closely. Avoid exfoliating irritated or sunburnt areas, and scale back if you notice tightness, stinging or redness.
3. Add Antioxidants
An antioxidant serum adds a targeted step between cleansing and moisturising. Vitamin C serum is a popular option for brightening the appearance of dull skin, while Vitamin A serums may accelerate skin-cell rejuvenation. Introduce one formula at a time.
4. Double Down With Moisturiser
It’s common to battle against a shiny or oily complexion in summer – but your skin still need hydration. Choose a moisturiser with a texture to suit the season and your skin type. Gel creams and fluid lotions can feel refreshing on oily or combination skin, while drier complexions may prefer richer formulas at night.
5. Use SPF
Sunscreen is the non-negotiable final step in your morning routine. Choose an SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen that is broad-spectrum and water-resistant, then apply it generously to exposed skin. Use it alongside protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, shade and sunglasses, and reapply as directed when you’re outdoors.
Summer Skincare By Skin Type
Great summer skincare starts with how your complexion responds to heat and humidity. Adjust your routine and the products you use according to what your skin needs.
- Sensitive skin: Choose fragrance-free or low-irritant formulas to nurture your skin after sun exposure.
- Dry skin: Use a gentle cleanser and layer a hydrating serum beneath your daily moisturiser.
- Oily skin: Gel cleansers and non-comedogenic formulas can nourish your skin without stripping away too much oil.
- Combination skin: Treat each area according to its needs, using lighter products on oilier zones and extra moisture where skin feels dry.
“Your skin may need something different as the weather changes. Start with your skin type, then choose products based on their texture and active ingredients.” – Isabel Clarke, Beauty e-Commerce Manager, Myer
Common Skincare Concerns
Heat, humidity, swimming and air conditioning can change the way skin behaves. Here are a few simple ways to respond to some of the season’s most common concerns:
- Dehydrated skin: Add a hydrating serum and moisturiser, and avoid cleansers that leave your face feeling tight or stripped.
- Breakouts and blemishes: Cleanse after heavy sweating and choose non-comedogenic formulas.
- Heat rash or sunburn: Help the skin cool down with fresh air and cool showers. Avoid rich creams that may trap heat against the skin.
- Pigmentation: Consistent sun protection is essential. Avoid picking at blemishes and speak with a dermatologist new or changing spots.
Quick Summer Tips
While there’s no one size fits all skin types, these tips are a great starting point for taking care of your skin in summer.
Non-comedogenic Makeup
Non-comedogenic refers to specially formulated products that avoid blocking pores. Using non- comedogenic makeup during summer helps your skin breathe while minimising the likelihood of clogged pores caused by sweat or other impurities on the skin.
Minimise Retinoid
Retinoids chemically exfoliate the skin, treating acne and wrinkles as part of a wider regime. While this sounds positive, the process can leave your skin sensitive to sunlight. Protect yourself from UV exposure and apply sunscreen liberally after treating your blemishes with retinol-based products.
Try Colder Showers
If you can't live without your post-gym shower in the middle of summer, try having cold water showers to increase blood flow, relieve itchiness, tighten pores and reduce inflammation. Too many warm showers can dehydrate your skin and exacerbate conditions like eczema and uneven pigmentation.
Summer Skincare Essentials
Although your skin type will always decide the final result, these three essentials will typically help you breeze through summer free of skin issue.
SPF Skincare Products
You can find SPF in a range of skincare and makeup products, from BB and CC creams to sunscreen moisturisers, foundation and standalone sunscreens. The higher the SPF, the more protected you are from UV damage and sunburn. Make sure to re-apply your SPF sunscreen every two hours while in direct sunlight.
Foaming Cleansers
Your skin may produce excess oil on a hot day in an attempt to protect itself from harm. If you find your skin more oily during summer, try using a foaming cleanser to treat the problem without stripping the skin. Despite its lightweight formulation, foaming cleansers dive deeper into your pore and eliminate build-up.
Lightweight Moisturiser
Gel and water-based moisturisers are a good choice for summer skin, thanks to their quick-absorption formula and strong hydrating properties. Summer is prime time for breakouts for all skin types, so switching out your heavy moisturiser ensures your skin stays happy and healthy without adding extra products to your line-up.
FAQs
How often should I apply sunscreen in summer?
Apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before going outside, then reapply every two hours. Apply it again after swimming, sweating or towel-drying. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ and pair it with shade, protective clothing, a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Is SPF 30 enough in Australia during summer?
SPF30 offers high protection, but SPF50 or SPF50+ is generally recommended in Australia. Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant formula and use it whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or above, even on cooler or cloudy days. Reapply regularly when spending time outdoors.
Why does my skin become oily in summer?
Heat and humidity can make sweat and oil more noticeable. Sunscreen, makeup and daily build-up may also add to the shine. Keep your summer skin routine balanced with a gentle cleanser, a fluid moisturiser and non-comedogenic products rather than harsh formulas that strip the skin.
Can summer weather cause dry skin?
Yes. Sun exposure, swimming, air conditioning and frequent showers can leave summer skin feeling dry or tight. Use a mild cleanser, apply moisturiser while your skin is slightly damp and switch to a richer night cream if your usual formula no longer feels nourishing enough.
How do I protect sensitive skin during summer?
Sun protect is particularly important for sensitive skin, so choose a sunscreen you’re comfortable wearing daily. Try to keep your summer skin care routine gentle by choosing mild cleansers and fragrance-free formulas. Patch test new products and stop using anything that causes irritation.
Should I exfoliate more during summer?
Not necessarily. How often you exfoliate should depend on your skin type, the product and the other active ingredients you use. Follow the product directions, avoid exfoliating sunburnt or irritated skin and cut back if you notice tightness or peeling.
How can I keep my skin hydrated in hot weather?
Use a gentle cleanser, follow with a hydrating serum or lotion and finish with moisturiser. Gel and water-based formulas can feel comfortable during the day, while dry skin may prefer something richer at night. The best summer skin care routine restores moisture without feeling heavy.
