Last Updated on 17th September 2023 by Sarah Sarsby

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Skin feeling a lot greasier? Have a sore throat when you wake up from having the fan on all night? Going outside a lot more? That sounds like summer, which means a lot of our habits have changed.

This means our skincare routine should also change as warmer weather alters our skin. My skin is generally a lot greasier, I’ve got more spots than usual and I find I need to use less moisturiser during the summer.

This is normal, but it might leave you wondering what you should do to your skincare routine to adapt to summer. In this blog post, I’m sharing 5 essential summer skincare tips to help your skin adapt to the changing climate.

These tips are simple yet effective that your skin will thank you for. Curious to learn more? Keep on reading.

P.S. If you’re looking to supercharge your mind and body, as well as your skin, Porch has written a fantastic article on creating your own at-home spa experience for the ultimate relaxation. I’d highly recommend checking this content out for the ultimate wellness routine to complement your summer skincare routine.

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1. Go for lightweight moisturisers

This one might seem pretty obvious, but going for a lightweight moisturiser in summer is a must. Anything rich or creamy might feel too heavy or greasy on your skin during the summer, as we’re sweatier and greasier.

Gel formulas are a great choice for summer. However, you can still get some lightweight cream formulas that absorb into the skin quickly and aren’t overly rich.

It’s just about trial and error to see what works for your skin during the summer. If a moisturiser feels too rich or greasy, save it for the winter, where your skin might need some extra TLC.

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2. Opt for hydrating facial mists

I think everyone could do with a hydrating facial mist, regardless of the weather. Central heating and fans alike can leave our skin dehydrated.

When the sun is out and we sweat more, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink your water, girl! However, drinking lots of water doesn’t just mean your skin will automatically be hydrated. Sometimes your skin needs extra help to stay hydrated.

Whilst hyaluronic acid serums should be everyone’s best friend, when you’re out and are wearing SPF plus a full face of makeup, you can’t just apply some hyaluronic acid over the top.

This is where facial mists come in handy.

You can spritz your face with a hydrating facial spray to ensure your skin stays hydrated throughout the day. It feels super refreshing too, which is an added bonus when it feels like you’re melting!

Look for sprays with glycerin or hyaluronic acid high up the INCI list for optimal hydration.

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3. Ensure you’re wearing enough SPF

SPF is not just for summer. It’s all year round. I repeat: SPF is not just for summer, it’s all year round.

You need to make sure you’re wearing SPF if you’re going outside or sit near a window where the sun directly comes through. Even if you can’t see the sun, it doesn’t mean that the UVA (causes ageing) and UVB (causes burning) rays aren’t there.

We must protect our skin at all costs. SPF protects our skin from burning, looking wrinkly and from developing skin cancer. It’s not something you should take lightly.

SPF is always the last step in your skincare routine and you then apply makeup on top.

Apply 2mg per Square CM which equates approximately to one teaspoon for your face and neck, two per chest, two per back, two per arm, two/three per leg depending on your height obviously. If you are particularly tall, or have a large frame, obviously use more. 

Caroline Hirons

You should reapply SPF every 90 minutes – 2 hours.

Although you should be wearing SPF throughout the year, I wanted to stress just how important it is during the summer, as that’s when people tend to go outside more and neglect their skin.

For more trustworthy information about SPF, read Caroline Hirons’ SPF Cheat Sheet.

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4. Double cleanse

If you’re wearing SPF (which you should be if you’re going outside, even briefly) and/or makeup, you need to double cleanse. SPF is designed to cling to your pores – that’s its job – and the average woman wears a lot of different makeup products. You need to rinse all of these products away thoroughly.

Double cleansing is such a treat and ensures you get rid of all traces of dirt, grease, makeup and SPF. It’s important for keeping your skin clean and stopping breakouts from happening due to clogged pores.

In the summer, when we’re outside more and feel greasier, you’ve got to start double cleansing if you don’t already. Your skin will thank you!

You can choose any combination of cleansing products for double cleansing e.g. a cleansing balm followed by a cleansing gel or a cleansing oil followed by a cleansing butter. The whole point is to remove products, then to get your skin clean. Choose what works for you.

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5. Use less facial oil

Our skin might feel oilier during the summer due to the warmer temperatures, so putting facial oil on might make your skin feel greasier than normal. I’d suggest using less facial oil.

Generally, if my skin feels particularly greasy one day, I won’t apply facial oil or I’ll apply less than usual. Just use your judgement and adjust how much facial oil you use in summer on a day-by-day basis.

You might prefer to just use facial oil at night when it’s not as hot and where it doesn’t matter if your skin looks oilier than normal.

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Final thoughts

I hope these summer skincare tips help your skin look and feel great while the weather is warmer. Remember: You’ve only got one skin, so it’s important to take care of it!

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 5 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.