The Ultimate Survival Guide for Summer Skincare

Summer is in full swing and your skin needs some special attention. Keep reading for tips to help your skin rock those glowing summer vibes while staying fresh and healthy.

 

Sunglasses, sunshine, and sandals--oh my! The steamy months of summer make us think of lazy days on the beach, but have you updated your skincare routine for the season? While those bronze summer tans make those crop tops POP, all that extra sunlight can prematurely age your skin. That might mean fine lines and wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, dry skin, and more. 

If you’re still relying on the same routine you’ve always used, think again! Your normal skincare habits might not be enough to combat all that extra heat and sunlight. So, instead of letting the summer wreak havoc on your skin, take action now! With our Survival Guide for Summer Skincare, you can still celebrate those summer vibes without sacrificing your skin.

Always Opt for Non-Comedogenic Products

A non-comedogenic product is one that doesn’t use ingredients that will clog your pores. Honestly, it’s a good idea to use this tip year-round, but it’s particularly important in the summertime. Hotter weather means more sweat and oil, and if your pores are clogged then you’re more likely to develop acne and congested skin. Basically, your skin needs to breathe!

This is usually only an issue for makeup, so take a look at the labels for ALL your makeup products. If it says non-comedogenic (or sometimes non-acnegenic) you’re good to go!

Rock Your Natural Skin Without Makeup

While we’re on the topic of letting your skin breathe, it’s important to go makeup-free every once in a while. If you’re just now making the switch to non-comedogenic makeup, your skin could probably use an overhaul. And there’s no better way to do that then by going makeup-free for a few days (or at least one day a week). 

One of the other added benefits is that it helps you reconnect to your skin. It’s easy to feel like we need to use every product on the market. When it comes to makeup and skincare, however,  you can definitely have too much of a good thing. 

Take some time to let your skin do its own thing. This is important especially if you’ve been using either LOTS of products or the same products for a long time. As we age, our skin needs change. So, while your skin may have been oily when you were younger, the products you used back then might be drying you out too much now. 

That being said, there are a few products you should NEVER go without. One such product is sunscreen!

Invest In the Right Sunscreen

That summer tan might be all the rage right now, but healthy skin is ALWAYS in. A huge part of keeping your skin healthy is keeping it protected, and that means sunscreen. Surprisingly, even the people who are already using sunscreen, probably aren’t using it enough.

If you’re trying to stick with non-comedogenic products, opt for powder sunscreens. No matter what, though, make sure you’re using a broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed skin. That means hands, feet, ears, and lips too. 

Choose an SPF 30 or higher and remember that you need to reapply every few hours. Consider keeping a travel-sized sunscreen in your bag and setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to reapply. 

Swap Out Heavy Moisturizers for Lighter Ones

While you may think all that extra sweat counts as moisture, your skin still needs a moisturizer during those warm summer months. The outermost layer of skin is what protects you from harmful pollution and even more damage. If you don’t moisturize your skin after cleansing it, that layer will start to succumb to oxidative stress and it won’t be able to protect you as well.

That’s why you should swap out heavy moisturizers for lighter ones during the summertime. Our Second Nature is a Facial Moisturizer that’s perfect for those steamy days and nights. With a calming blend of adaptogens, terpenes, and whole-plant CBD, it helps reduce inflammation while quenching cortisol and boosting antioxidants. Basically, it helps your skin chill out while staying hydrated 😜

Gentle Exfoliation Keeps Your Skin Vibrant

While exfoliating too much can irritate, summer is the perfect time to slough away dead skin. If you suffer from dull and uneven skin, exfoliation can brighten and even out your skin tone by promoting lymphatic drainage and boosting circulation. Plus, removing dead skin makes it easier for other products to penetrate deeper.

The key is to avoid harsh exfoliants in favor of more gentle ones. Everyone is different when it comes to what’s considered “harsh” though. Physical exfoliants tend to have grainy textures that manually remove surface debris. Chemical exfoliants, on the other hand, use specific acids that chemically dissolve debris. 

This is one of those skincare steps that’s unique to everyone, so you’ll need to do some investigating to see what works best for you. If you really connected with our note above about using lighter moisturizers, consider applying that type of thinking to your cleansers and exfoliators too. If you’re used to heavy cream or oil cleansers, consider switching to lighter foaming or powder cleansers and exfoliators. Having a lighter skincare routine overall will help your skin avoid irritation during the summer.

Avoid Sunburn and Stay In The Shade

This one probably has a lot of you rolling your eyes, but bear with us. The reason this is so important is that there’s a huge difference between “preventative” and “restorative” skincare. Dermatologists the world over tend to agree that a healthy lifestyle is the most important thing you can do for your skin. So, while there’s a world of products out there that help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, nothing works as well as actually preventing them from happening in the first place.

The easiest way to do that is by avoiding skin stressors like sunlight! When avoiding sun exposure isn’t possible, make sure to regularly apply sunscreen and consider wearing a chic sun hat. But when you have a choice between baking in the sun or relaxing under a shady cabana, choose the shade. Your skin will thank you.

Get Plenty of Vitamin C and CBD!

If you weren’t aware of this before, Vitamin C is one of your skins’ best friends. Eating foods heavy in Vitamin C (kale, kiwis, cherries, etc.) is phenomenal for your internal health, while oils and serums with Vitamin C can help your skin directly. During the summer this is particularly important.

Excess sun exposure can age skin and decrease collagen production. Luckily, Vitamin C helps reduce fine lines, boosts collagen, and helps lessen hyperpigmentation. And we would totally brag on the antioxidant qualities of Vitamin C, but CBD totally blows Vitamin C out of the water in that department. In fact, CBD is a more powerful antioxidant than both Vitamin C and E. 

CBD also helps lessen acne by reducing cortisol production, soothes inflamed skin, reduces redness, and so much more. There’s a reason why we’re so obsessed with this cannabinoid ;)

Keep Your Body Hydrated and Nourished

Remember that your skin is an indicator of your internal health. So, if you’ve had a few too many virtual wine-tasting parties that keep you up late, your skin will start to show it. Basically, take good care of yourself!

Eat nutritious food, try your hardest to get eight hours of sleep, and drink plenty of water. Notice that earlier we said Vitamin C is just one of your skins’ best friends. That’s because your skin has a special place in its heart for good ol’ H20. Plus, if you neglected ALL our other tips, boosting your water intake can seriously help your skin recover from a wide variety of issues.

For even more nourishment, consider adding a CBD Tincture to your routine. CBD isn’t just good for your skin, it’s good for your whole body. If you need a temporary mood boost with an uplifting, energizing effect, something like our Drops of Sunshine can elevate your vibes and get you in the right frame of mind. 

Learn To Love The Skin You’re In!

Whether you’re relaxing at the beach or staying cool in your own backyard, the summertime is all about fun, carefree vibes. No matter what season we’re in though, you should always love the skin you’re in. 

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