At long last, the beach trip you craved all winter is just around the corner and you have a stack of books waiting to be read. Now that the weather is warm, you might also find yourself at the pool a few times each week, taking early morning walks, or perhaps even attending an outdoor concert every once in a while.
But just because summer is here and you deserve to relax doesn’t mean that you should take a break from your skincare routine! That’s why we have compiled a list of “5 Essential Skincare Habits to Practice This Summer.” Should you still use moisturizer in humid weather? At what step in your routine should you apply SPF? How often should you exfoliate? Read on to find out!
1. Wear SPF 30 or higher. Whenever your skin will be kissed by the sun (including while driving), you need to wear sunscreen. For even more protection against the aging effects of UV rays, consider wearing SPF 50+. You can use tools like the Fitzpatrick skin phototype scale to better understand your skin’s tendencies to tan and burn based on the amount of melanin it contains. Make sure to apply SPF at the end of your skincare routine, after moisturizing. You’ll want to reapply every 90 minutes to 2 hours, lathering it on more frequently if you are swimming or sweating.
2. Continue moisturizing, but lighten up. Summery weather can dehydrate your skin, so experts recommend you continue to use a moisturizer. Plus, moisturizer helps soothe any sunburns you might endure! However, many people prefer to switch to a lighter product during these months, possibly one that contains SPF. Test a few different moisturizers until you find the one that works best for your skin. We recommend switching to Herbacin Wellness Body Milk, a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer that is quickly absorbed by the skin. It even features aloe vera gel to boost skin regeneration!
3. Wear less makeup. You’re beautiful just the way you are, and if you read our recent “Skinimalism” article, there are myriad benefits to simplifying your beauty routine. In the summer, excess makeup tends to clog your pores, especially when you sweat. What better way to celebrate Beautiful in Your Skin Month than by letting the world see the real you, and giving your skin a break in the process?
4. Exfoliate once each week. Sunscreen and sweat can make your skin feel icky, making exfoliation more necessary in the summertime. During these months, experts recommend exfoliating once or twice each week using products that feature gentle ingredients like jojoba. Of course, don’t exfoliate areas that are already irritated by sunburn! You can start by trying Herbacin Skin Solutions Gentle Face Scrub, which uses hardened jojoba wax to remove dead skin particles and debris from your pores. It also features aloe vera, camomile, and marigold, which promote skin regeneration.
5. Cover up! Wear floppy hats to protect the skin on your face, neck, and chest. Opt for darkly colored, tightly woven clothing, and consider buying a few pieces of sun protective clothing for your summer wardrobe. Look for a UPF rating on clothing tags; the higher the number, the more protective it will be. Remember that once a fabric gets wet, it will become less effective at protecting you from the sun.
Now that you are better prepared to protect yourself, it’s time to go have fun! Happy summer!
