A Beauty Editor and Aesthetician Shares Her Top 5 Summer Skincare Tips
Grace Day is an aesthetician and beauty editor who divides her time between testing and reviewing the latest launches, and providing treatments and skincare routine coaching from her Manchester studio. Each month, Grace shares her learnings and observations straight from the salon, along with her verdict on the latest trends and product launches, here in her series “In the Treatment Room with Grace Day.”
It’s that time of year when the weather is a hot topic of conversation in my treatment room. The UK has finally been blessed with a few weeks of sun and with most of my clients heading off on their much-needed summer holidays this month, I’m being quizzed on everything from how to top-up your SPF to what to use to treat sunburn.
Whether you’re sunbathing or not, the warmer weather really does have an impact on skin, which is why I always advise my clients to take a seasonal approach to skincare.
In the winter, that means thicker moisturisers, gentle cream cleansers, and skin barrier-strengthening serums, but in the summer, most people will want to switch these out for light gel moisturisers, oil-busting cleansers, and antioxidant serums to protect skin from the increase in UV exposure.
Of course, alongside the increase in UV exposure, higher temperatures and humidity generally mean we’re sweatier and oilier (which takes its toll on our pores), and many of us will notice dark spots and hyperpigmentation flare-ups during the summer, too.
Now don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you need an entirely new skincare routine. A few smart swaps can be all it takes to summer-proof your skincare. Below you can find the tips and recommendations I’ve been passing on to my clients this season.
1. Use light moisturisers
Swapping out your thick, rich creams for light, gel moisturisers is something I recommend to almost all of my clients, even the dry-skinned ones. In the summer, it’s best to rely upon multiple light layers of moisture to hydrate your skin, rather than one thick layer.
Look out for gel or gel-cream textures with water-based formulas—these will still provide effective hydration but will feel light and soothing, and won’t leave any greasy residue on the skin.
Image – IKvyatkovskaya/Adobe
2. Top up your SPF
Applying your SPF as the final step in your morning skincare routine is, of course, essential—but so is keeping it topped up throughout the day. One thing I hear from clients a lot is “But how do I top up my SPF over makeup?”, and I know this can be a bit of a pain point, especially if you’re using a cream or serum formula. The answer? An SPF mist – of which there are now several excellent options available on the market.
Formulated specifically for reapplication (I wouldn’t recommend them as your sole form of protection), SPF mists won’t disturb your makeup—indeed most will act as a makeup-refreshing setting spray in the process. They’re also great for getting coverage on those hard to reach (but prone to burning) areas, like the back of the neck, ears, and scalp.
3. Rely on antioxidant serums
Antioxidants help to protect skin from environmental damage, which includes UV exposure. They work by neutralising free radicals, the unstable molecules that harm your cells and lead to long-term damage and signs of skin ageing.
Popular antioxidants in skincare include vitamin C, retinoids, niacinamide, vitamin E, and green tea. While these can be found in everything from moisturisers to masks, I like to recommend my clients get their antioxidant fix from serums in order to ensure these ingredients are potent and effective.
Layer an antioxidant serum onto your skin after cleansing and before applying your moisturiser and SPF and I promise that in the long term, your skin will thank you for it.
Image – Adobe
4. Don’t skip the double cleanse
With layers of sunscreen, sweat, and (probably) excess oil to cut through, a double cleanse is still essential during the summer months. I always advise clients to start with an oil cleanser (they’re typically a bit lighter than balms) to cut through makeup and SPF, followed by a water-based gel cleanser to give pores a deeper and more thorough cleanse.
Between the two, you can keep on top of any congestion and ensure that your pores are clear for your skincare ingredients to effectively penetrate your skin.
5. Use skin-soothing ingredients
Sometimes sunburn happens even to the best of us. I advise my clients to cool and calm the inflammation as quickly as possible – a cold compress is ideal, but things like cooling mists, aloe vera gel, and ice globes are also great for this. Keep the area protected with SPF to prevent any further damage, and moisturise with light water-based creams – oil-based ones will trap the heat and may worsen the burn.
Avoid applying active ingredients like retinoids and acids to the sunburnt area for a few weeks, and instead opt for soothing, healing ones, like cica, aloe, chamomile, and oatmeal.
Image – Kat Ka/adobe
Summer skincare products I recommend to clients
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Gel Moisturiser
Despite its light gel texture, this moisturiser provides a hefty dose of hydration—enough to quench the thirst of even the driest of skin types. What’s more, it feels deliciously refreshing, a true treat to skin at the end of a long hot day.
La Roche-Posay SPF Mist
During the summer months I’m never without a bottle of this SPF mist in my handbag. I use it to top up my sunscreen over my makeup as well as to keep on top of the areas where I know I always burn—my parting and my shoulders. It’s super light and doesn’t disturb makeup or leave any visible residue on my skin.
Dr. Sam’s Flawless Brightly Serum
Thanks to its cocktail of antioxidants (including azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and bakuchiol), I frequently add this serum to my clients’ summer skincare routines. It targets redness and hyperpigmentation as well as congestion, dullness, and uneven skin tone. A true multitasker.
Image – Dr Sam’s
Glossier Cleanser Concentrate
The ideal second cleanser for a summer routine. Gentle exfoliating acids help to break down stubborn buildup and residue, and chamomile, niacinamide, and glycerin work to soothe and hydrate skin.
The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution
Although it’s not specifically formulated to treat sunburn, this is exactly the kind of product I’d recommend to help soothe skin and begin the process of repairing damage. The aloe cools and hydrates, while NAG reduces redness, and a blend of peptides work to restore the skin barrier.
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