Your skin needs a different sort of care in the hot weather. That means if you’re still using the same products you used through the winter, you’re probably causing yourself some problems.
Below, we share seven products you may want to consider setting aside until the snow starts falling again.
1. Scratchy Facial Scrubs
These can be effective at helping to slough off dead skin cells that accumulate over the winter, but in the warmer weather, cell turnover speeds up a little, so you probably don’t need as much scrubbing. The sun, saltwater, and chlorine in pools can also make your skin more sensitive than usual, so that your scrubs may cause irritation, inflammation, or even breakouts.
Take some time off your scrubs and use a milder exfoliating mask about once a week instead if you need it. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid scratchy scrubs anyway as they are likely to cause problems. If you just can’t live without your scrub, consider using less of it on a soft skin brush with lots of water. That will make the process less damaging to the skin.
2. Thick Hydrating Facial Masks
You may swear by these in the winter when the air is cold and dry, but summer air is warmer and more humid, so you probably don’t need them. In fact, drenching your skin in heavy masks could backfire, causing pores to clog and leading to breakouts.
Swap to gentle exfoliating masks instead. A charcoal or clay mask works well in drawing impurities out of the skin and shrinking the look of pores.
3. Heavy Foundations
You want to look flawless, but ugh, that heavy foundation. It feels thick and cakey, plus it’s likely to clog your pores, especially when you start sweating.
Switch to a lighter formula instead, and use concealer where needed to cover dark spots. Tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and CC creams are also great for this time of year as they are made to feel more like light moisturizers than heavy foundations.
4. Thick Moisturizing Butters
These are a dream in the winter, but they can be too much in the summer. The air isn’t pulling as much moisture from your skin in the warmer months, which means you can lighten up on your moisturizer. They can also spell disaster if you’re regularly wearing a mask, potentially clogging pores and exacerbating acne breakouts. Choose a lightweight formula that will help balance the oils in your skin without clogging pores.
Don’t make the mistake, though, of going without moisturizer completely. Your skin still needs protection from pollutants and other potential irritants in the air, and the outer layer needs the nourishment your moisturizer provides. We recommend our Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion—they are “breathable” and work equally well in cold and warm weather.
5. Retinols and Aggressive Acids
These are helpful for delaying the appearance of aging, but they also make your skin more sensitive to sun damage. Unless you want to live the summer in the shade or covered up from head to toe, you should back off on how often you’re using these products.
It’s amazing how quickly dark spots and hyperpigmentation can take hold in the summer, particularly if you’re using retinols and acids and not properly protecting skin. Even sunscreen may not be enough to completely protect you, so use caution.
6. Finishing Powder and Other Powders
You know what it’s like when you have powder on your skin and then you start to perspire? It not only feels uncomfortable, it usually doesn’t look the best either. So set the powder aside and choose a setting spray instead. It will offer the same sort of hold as a finishing powder without adding weight or becoming cakey.
Powder blush and eyeshadow can be similarly uncomfortable in the warmer months. Consider swapping to cream blush and shadow and play with some light, fun shades.
7. Matte Lipstick
Matte lipsticks tend to accentuate the lines in your lips, highlighting any dryness that may exist. They also tend to be drying, particularly if you’re out in the sun, and dry, chapped lips are never attractive.
Switch to a tinted lip balm or a moisturizing lip gloss instead. Look for those with moisturizing ingredients like beeswax and natural oils.
What products do you hide away in the summer?
Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova from Pexels.
