We love summer, which is the season to kick back, relax, and just enjoy the great outdoors. It’s not time to slack on your skincare routine however, especially when UVA/UVB rays are especially damaging as our exposure levels are high thanks to spending free days at the beach or by the pool.

But just like our winter woollies, summer is when we put away the heavy stuff in favour of something lighter, and that includes our skincare favourites. It can be tough to know where to start when switching over your products for a new season, so we made it a little easier by narrowing it down with a few essential tips…

Lighten up

Summer is the perfect time to make friends with a lighter moisturiser, especially if you have blemish-prone skin. Definitely don’t skip it altogether – like, REALLY don’t – but opt for a lightweight formula. Thicker moisturisers can lead to clogged pores, inflammation, and acne, so go for a lighter, clean option like Tailor Skincare’s Moisture, which is non-greasy and formulated with pure plant nutrients to nourish and protect skin.

If your skin is really on the oily side, Trilogy Mattifying Moisturising Lotion is a light hydration lotion that helps reduce shine. Certified natural and vegan-friendly, it balances both water and oil to mattify the skin, as well as including salicylic acid to mildly exfoliate dull and rough-looking skin for a clearer complexion.

Cool off with a mist

Stash a bottle of face mist in your fridge and then pop it in your chilly bin so you can mist your face and body when you’re at the beach. Imbibe’s  Lime Pearl Resurfacing Lift is a supercharged resurfacing tonic, which when misted over the skin from temples to decolletage delivers multi-functional and refreshing exfoliation, hydration and protection. Alternatively, Trilogy’s Hydrating Mist Toner is an all-in-one toner and floral mist that instantly delivers moisture to thirsty skin, anytime and anywhere. It’s great for travel and your post-workout cooldown and can be used to set makeup too.

Invest in a solid vitamin C serum.

Vitamin C is great year-round, but all the more important in the summer as it helps prevent hyperpigmentation, improves the appearance of fine lines, and helps with collagen production. Trilogy’s certified natural Vitamin C Booster Treatment is a great way to kick off the season, being a freshly activated two-week intense brightening treatment that helps improve radiance and skin tone. The cult Kiwi brand also has a Vitamin C Moisturising Lotion, which is a light daily hydration lotion that helps brighten and illuminate dull skin.

Slough more often

Dermatologists are often reminding us not to over-exfoliate, but the summertime ’tis the season to slough away. We don’t mean a solid session every day, but a couple of extras each week will help remove impurities and get you glowing. Aeos Gentle Exfoliant Pink is a rich blend of skin-nurturing organic oils – jojoba, grapeseed, argan and avocado – combined with Aeos’ biodynamic spelt oil for a gentle exfoliation that definitely delivers. With alchemical essences of Rose Quartz and Clear Quartz to help rejuvenate the skin and balance emotions, it also supports the heart chakra, encouraging kindness, caring and love towards yourself.

Keep it shady

All skin experts recommend wearing sun-protective clothing if possible, wide-brim hats, and sunglasses whenever you’re out in the sun. We don’t expect you to wear a long-sleeve caftan every single moment you’re on the beach, but be mindful to expose as little of your body as possible to direct sunlight. That might mean sitting underneath an umbrella, wearing an extra-large hat, or avoiding the midday sun.  Check out our favourite ‘So Shady’ hats by Sophie Store.

Drink up

And no, we’re not just talking Aperol Spritz! Hydration is always important for our skin, but even more so in the summer. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day, perhaps more if you’re exercising. Hydration can also help skin recover after a sunburn — but we know you’re all too smart to get those in the first place, right?

SPF, SPF, SPF.

No arguments here: wear sunscreen. Skin experts recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin, so don’t forget the hands – whose thin skin wrinkles and pigments easily – feet, ears, and lips. It is also important to note that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours, so make sure to pack extra sunscreen for longer summer days outdoors.

We love the Suntegrity brand, and their impeccably formulated Skin Moisturizing Face Tinted Sunscreen is one of our favourite multiuse products. Pretty much a beauty booster, sunscreen and flattering tint all in one, it is free of silicones, parabens, oils and UV chemical blockers and delivers a major boost to the skin both above and below the surface. It uses non-nano zinc oxide and melanin to provide Broad Spectrum SPF30, and is vegan and reef-friendly.

Hynt Beauty’s Sun Prep Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF25 is another great option, shielding delicate skin from UVA/UVB rays with non-nano Titanium Dioxide. Free of chemical SPFs, the multi-use formula soothes and protects the skin while creating a flawless base for makeup and a nourished complexion throughout the day.