THIS IS HOW TO REFRESH YOUR ROUTINE FOR SUMMER

Here’s the thing: your skin doesn’t behave the same in July as it does in January. And just like you wouldn’t wear a cashmere jumper to the beach, your skincare routine needs a seasonal switch-up too. Summer throws a lot at your complexion - increased heat and humidity, UV overload, salty swims, sticky commutes - and your products need to keep up.

Whether you’re dealing with sun sensitivity, sudden breakouts, or that feeling of “is this glow or just sweat?” we’ve got you. This isn’t about reinventing your whole routine. It’s about smarter choices - lighter textures, protective layers, and a bit of post-sun TLC. Consider this your warm-weather roadmap.

Cleansing might not be the flashiest part of your routine, but honestly? It’s one of the most satisfying. Sweat, sunscreen, pollution, and oil buildup can easily lead to congestion, especially if you live in a city or wear makeup. And there’s something about washing off the day that feels like a reset button — not just for your skin, but for your mood too.

This is the time to keep it gentle but effective. You don’t need a foaming sledgehammer that strips your skin barrier; what you do need is something that removes the day’s grime without leaving your skin feeling tight or squeaky. Gentle cleansing is key – think gel or milk cleansers, or a balm if you’re double cleansing in the evening.

 And if your skin is on the oilier side? Don’t over-wash. Twice a day is plenty. The goal is balance.

One of the biggest skincare myths is that summer equals automatic hydration. Sure, it’s humid. But between sun exposure, sweat, air-conditioning, and salt water, your skin can quietly get very thirsty. Dehydration in summer often shows up as tightness, dullness, or that confusing combo of oily yet flaky. 

This is the season to lean into water-light layers. Swap out heavy creams for hydrating serums packed with hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid — they’ll help your skin hold onto moisture without suffocating it. Gel-creams are the MVPs of summer moisturising: cooling, plumping, and quick to absorb so your face isn’t sliding off by noon. A mist in your bag doesn’t hurt either, not just for cooling, but for that midday hydration boost your skin will quietly thank you for.

Let’s clear this up: you don’t have to abandon your activites just because it’s sunny. You can still use them; it’s just about using them wisely.

Vitamin C is your best friend in summer. Not only does it help with brightness and evening out skin tone, but it also boosts your skin’s defenses against UV-induced free radical damage. Layer it on in the morning under SPF and you’ve got a solid protective combo.

Niacinamide is a quiet overachiever — it calms inflammation, balances oil production, helps reduce the appearance of pores, and strengthens your barrier. If your skin’s overwhelmed by sweat, sun, or city life, this ingredient keeps things in check.

Now, about acids: yes, you can exfoliate in summer — just don’t overdo it. Gentle chemical exfoliants like lactic acid, mandelic acid, or low-strength glycolic acid can help keep your skin smooth and glow-y, especially if you’re prone to congestion. Nighttime is the safest time for acids - just make sure you follow with a moisturiser (and SPF the next day, always).

 As for retinol, it gets a bad rep in summer, but you don’t have to ditch it completely. If your skin tolerates it well, go ahead — just use it at night, follow with a barrier-supporting moisturiser, and be meticulous about SPF the next day. If your skin’s feeling a bit sensitised, or you’ve got a sunny holiday coming up, it’s a good idea to scale back. Try pausing it a week before you’re heading into intense sun, you can always ease it back in once you’re home and things have calmed down.

Here’s a hill I’m willing to die on: moisturising in summer is still essential. Your skin might feel like it’s producing enough oil to fry an egg, but that doesn’t mean it’s hydrated. In fact, skipping moisturiser can make dehydration worse, and might even trick your skin into producing more oil to compensate.

The trick is to find your summer match. Lightweight gels, emulsions, or cream moisturisers that deliver hydration without heaviness are ideal. Look for ingredients like glycerin, squalane, and ceramides to support your barrier without the weight. And if your skin is very dry or you’ve overdone the exfoliants or sun, a richer cream at night can be a comforting reset.

That said, not everyone gets oilier in summer — sun exposure, chlorine, and salt water can leave some skin types feeling parched, tight, or even flaky. If that’s you, consider incorporating hydrating moisturisers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or panthenol, and don’t be afraid of a slightly thicker texture. It’s all about keeping your skin barrier happy and your hydrated without clogging pores.

If there’s one rule to follow religiously this summer, it’s this: never skip sunscreen. Even on cloudy days. Even when you're mostly indoors. SPF isn’t just about avoiding a burn (though that too) — it’s about preventing long-term damage, from pigmentation and dehydration to fine lines. UV rays are relentless, and summer intensifies their reach.

What you want is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, ideally SPF 30 or higher, that works with your skin, not against it. If you’ve skipped SPF in the past because of that sticky, heavy feeling, good news: today’s formulas are light, breathable, and barely-there. There are weightless gels, featherlight fluids, even powder or mist SPFs that make top-ups a breeze, which, by the way, you do need to reapply every couple of hours if you're outdoors.

So, you forgot to reapply. Or stayed out a little too long. It happens. The key is knowing how to help your skin recover without overcompensating. That tight, red, or prickly feeling? It’s your skin asking for calm, not 15 different serums.

Look for ingredients that soothe and repair: aloe vera is the obvious classic, but centella asiatica (also called cica) is the cool, calming cousin that helps take down redness and irritation. Panthenol and oat extracts are gentle heroes that rebuild your barrier, especially if you’re dealing with post-sun dryness or mild heat rash.

Even if you haven’t visibly burned, your skin still benefits from post-sun support. Think of it like aftercare — you wouldn’t work out without stretching after, right? Lock in moisture, take a break from harsh actives, and let your skin recover in peace.