With the dog days of summer upon us, there are a few things you should know in order to prep your skin correctly. From damaging sun to extreme humidity, your skin goes through a lot this season so it’s important to know how to deal with these problems. Here’s how you can prepare to achieve healthy summer skin.
Change Your Skincare Routine
It can be hard to switch up your skincare routine when you’ve become accustomed to the products that work well for you. But with effects of warm weather like sweat and product buildup, you may want to consider a weekly purifying mask to combat clogged pores. Try this purifying mask by Tata Harper which promises a deep, detoxifying clean.
With all of the humidity of the summer months, you’ll also want to opt for a lighter oil in place of your heavy creams. I will forever rave over argan oil as it is incredibly light yet still deeply penetrating. Another great option is hemp seed oil for acne-prone skin. See here for an in-depth look at the benefits of hemp seed oil.
Avoid this Ingredient in Anti-aging, Acne, and Dark Spot Products
An important tip is make sure none of your summertime products include retinol (Vitamin A). It’s often found in products that fight aging or acne such as night creams or spot treatments, and it’s extremely dangerous when exposed to the sun. Retinol rapidly increases cell turnover rate, thereby causing enhanced tumor growth. In other words, you should avoid products with a form of retinol at all costs in the summer months when your skin is exposed to lots of direct sunlight.
What’s more, sunscreens with retinyl palmitate should also be avoided for the same reason. If it claims to be “renewing” or “prevents wrinkles,” check for this ingredient. EWG’s Skin Deep database is great for understanding the toxicity of common products and breaks down each ingredient. A good alternative? Cartenoids, naturally occurring antioxidants from plants that assist your skin in naturally producing vitamin A for similar uses. Depending on your skincare interest, there are many organic products that contain these antioxidants, like this reparative serum, which contains popular carotenoid beta-carotene.
Exfoliate Gently
Facial exfoliation in the warmer months is a tricky topic. On one hand, exfoliating is important for those extra hot days when your pores can become clogged from layers of sunscreen underneath cosmetics and constant sweating. On the other, exfoliating too often or at the wrong times, such as right before you hit the beach, can be even more damaging. Since exfoliation can make your skin extra sensitive, you should avoid doing so directly before any prolonged sun exposure. Too much of it can also increase the risk of potential sun damage, so it’s typically advised to limit it to 1-2 times a week. For a gentle facial exfoliant made for even the most sensitive of skin, try this French Girl Organics one.
Bonus: The matching Lip Polish has a cult-like following on Etsy with nothing but rave reviews. Try both for an all-over baby soft face!
Choose the Right Sunscreen
The key to finding a good healthy sunscreen is to look for one that has a readable ingredient list. This is because mineral sunscreen is ideal, but you don’t want a mineral sunscreen that is also mixed with chemical sunscreen or added parabens and other toxic ingredients. Check out EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens for more information than you even knew you needed.
You’ve probably heard it a million times before, but if there’s one thing you do for your skin health, let it be this: apply a good sunscreen. By good I mean mineral-based and at the very least free of oxybenzone, a potential hormone disruptor and allergen. So what’s the top Mochni editor’s pick? Suntegrity Face Sunscreen & Primer, SPF 30, which checks all the boxes for clean sunscreen while being a 3-in-1 sunscreen, moisturizer, and primer.
Since every season brings its own skincare challenges, I hope you now feel confident that you can handle the heat head on (but maybe ya know, with a covered head. With a hat. And sunscreen, always lots of sunscreen). Happy summer!
P.S. Don´t forget to pack your eco-friendly swimsuit, one of our favorite brands for sexy and sporty beach swimwear is allSisters.
