How To Switch Up Your Skincare Routine For Summer

Know What You’re Dealing With 

“Summer brings higher UV exposure, heat and humidity – all of which impact the skin’s behaviour. Increased sebum, sweat and transepidermal water loss can lead to dehydration, even in humid weather. At the same time, UV radiation and heat can impair the skin barrier and trigger flare-ups of pigmentary conditions like melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, particularly in those with darker skin tones.” – Dr Sidra Khan, consultant dermatologist and pigmentation & ageing expert

Switch Up Your Cleanser 

“In the summer, it’s best to swap heavier cleansing balms for lightweight, non-stripping cleansers that effectively remove sunscreen, make-up and sweat without compromising the skin barrier. Look for fragrance-free, pH-balanced formulas, ideally containing ceramides or glycerin. A good cleanser should leave your skin feeling fresh – not dry or tight.” – Sidra

“Hydration and skin barrier protection are essential year-round, but most critical in summer when heat and sweat can dehydrate the skin. Foaming cleansers are often seen as harsh and stripping, but Curél’s Foaming Cleanser is the exception. It’s designed to cleanse effectively while preserving the skin’s lipid content, making it gentle yet thorough. Another formula I rate is its new Hydrating Makeup Cleanser. Full of ceramides, it not only removes make-up but actively hydrates the skin, leaving it softer and more nourished. It’s a great multi-tasking option to slot within your summer skincare routine.” – Dr Catharine Denning, aesthetic doctor 

Keep Up With Your Actives

“There aren’t specific ingredients to avoid entirely during summer, but how you use them may need adjusting. Retinoids and exfoliating acids, for example, are often unfairly criticised for summer use. These ingredients can actually be helpful in managing sweat and oil-related acne, as well as pigmentation issues. If your skin becomes more sensitive, consider reducing the frequency or strength rather than stopping them altogether. If your skin becomes more sensitive due to heat or UV exposure, consider switching to gentler alternatives like azelaic acid or mandelic acid. These ingredients offer anti-inflammatory benefits while helping to suppress melanin production. The key to using actives safely in summer is pairing them with gold-standard sun protection and a ceramide-rich moisturiser to maintain a healthy skin barrier.” – Catharine 

Up Your Vitamin C 

“Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental damage, including UV exposure, which makes it incredibly valuable in the summer. It also helps brighten and reduce pigmentation, so it’s really useful for those prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or melasma. While some actives can sensitise the skin in summer, vitamin C, when formulated well, is actually protective. For more clinically-backed options, I recommend the Obagi Professional-C range or SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. Consistency is key – apply it in the morning under your SPF.” – Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, skin expert, medical director and founder of ZKIN

Incorporate A Hydrating Mist 

“Hydrating mists can be a refreshing and helpful addition to your summer skincare routine, especially during heatwaves, travel or long days in air-conditioned spaces. During the warmer months, the skin can lose more water through transepidermal water loss, leaving it feeling tight or dehydrated, even if it’s oily. A well-formulated mist (ideally one containing humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid) offers a quick boost of hydration and helps support your skin barrier. Some also contain calming ingredients like panthenol or thermal spring water, which can soothe heat-stressed or sensitised skin. One thing to note: always follow up with moisturiser to seal in that added hydration, otherwise the water can evaporate and potentially exacerbate dehydration. Also, keeping your mist in the fridge gives it an extra cooling effect.” – Sidra 

Choose A Lighter Moisturiser 

“All skin types, including oily skin, can experience dehydration in summer. The key to avoiding this is choosing a moisturiser that replenishes lipids and restores hydration without clogging pores. Ceramides are the mainstay for ensuring a healthy lipid barrier, so no matter the skin type, I’ll always recommend using a moisturiser containing them.” – Catharine 

“For oily or acne-prone skin, lightweight gel or lotion textures are ideal. They hydrate with humectants like glycerin and are less likely to block your pores. I often recommend Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel for oily skin, Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion for combination skin and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Moisturiser for dry or sensitive skin.” – Dr Zainab Laftah, consultant dermatologist at HCA The Shard

Build An Oil-Control SOS Kit 

“The key to managing oiliness in summer is maintaining balance. Many people with oily or breakout-prone skin fall into the trap of over-cleansing or using harsh, astringent products in effort to control shine. Unfortunately, this often backfires. Stripping the skin of its natural oils can trigger the sebaceous glands to produce even more oil, creating a cycle of congestion and excess shine. Instead, opt for a gentle foaming or gel-based cleanser that removes sweat, excess sebum and SPF without compromising the skin barrier. To manage daytime shine, blotting papers and mineral powder SPFs can be useful touch-up tools. A lightweight, oil-free moisturiser is also essential. Even if your skin feels oily, skipping moisturiser can actually make things worse by increasing transepidermal water loss and prompting the skin to produce more oil in response. A well-hydrated barrier is what helps the skin function optimally and maintain clarity. By working with your skin rather than against it, you can keep oiliness under control while still protecting and nourishing it through the warmer months.” – Ifeoma 

Be Generous With Your SPF 

“The most common SPF mistakes are not applying enough, forgetting to reapply and relying on protection from make-up alone. You need a generous amount – around half a teaspoon for the face and neck – and it must be reapplied every two hours if you’re outside. Another mistake is skipping SPF on cloudy days or when you’re indoors but near windows, through which UVA rays can still penetrate. I recommend broad-spectrum SPFs of at least factor 30, but ideally 50. For oily skin, Revolution Skincare SPF 50 Invisible Protect Sunscreen and Heliocare 360° Gel Oil-Free and Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream are excellent. For drier or sensitive skin, I recommend Eucerin Sensitive Protect Sun Fluid SPF 50+ or Mesoestetic SPF 50.” – Ifeoma 

“There’s also a tendency to chase ultra-high SPF numbers like 50 or 100, assuming they offer all-day protection. But SPF isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it product. Think of it as a two-hour shield when you’re outdoors, regardless of the number on the bottle. A well-applied SPF 30, reapplied regularly, protects better than a single morning swipe of SPF 100.” – Sidra

Consider Investing In LED Light Therapy

“One treatment I recommend year-round but especially in summer is LED light therapy. Red light helps calm and repair the skin after sun exposure, while near-infrared penetrates even deeper to support collagen production and reduce inflammation. In summer, I find blue light especially beneficial for helping to manage oiliness and breakouts, which are common when the weather gets warmer and sweat and sunscreen start to build up on the skin.” – Ifeoma 

Schedule Treatments Carefully 

“At this time of year, I recommend avoiding intensive procedures like medium-to-deep chemical peels, ablative laser resurfacing, or energy-based microneedling during peak UV months, as they can increase the risk of pigmentation, especially in melanin-rich skin. However, summer can still be a great time for lower-risk treatments like LED light therapy, gentle peels or hydrating facials that focus on barrier repair and glow. Always speak to a consultant dermatologist before starting treatment, especially if you have more melanin-rich or pigmentation-prone skin. It’s essential to see someone experienced in managing pigmentation and tailoring treatments safely for your skin type.” – Sidra 

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