How to Protect and Hydrate Your Skin in the Summer

As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to refresh and upgrade your skincare routine. Whether you are heading to the beach or enjoying a sunny stroll through town, protecting your skin from the sun’s strong UV rays is essential. The intense summer sunlight can lead to dryness, irritation, and premature ageing if left unchecked.

This season, prioritise sun protection and explore ways to keep your skin nourished, hydrated, and glowing. Let’s walk through summer skincare tips to help you enjoy the sunshine while keeping your skin healthy and radiant.

Summer Skin Care Tips

1. Prioritise SPF Every Day

If there’s one golden rule of summer skincare, it’s this: never skip your sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. If you're spending extended time outdoors, opt for SPF 50 and be sure to reapply every two hours.

Remember, UV rays can still reach your skin even in the shade or under a parasol—they reflect off surfaces like water, sand, and buildings. So, staying protected is essential, no matter where you are.

2. Stay Hydrated Inside and Out

Summer heat can quickly lead to dehydration, both for your body and your skin. While it's generally recommended to drink 8 glasses of water a day, in hot weather or if you're sweating, feeling thirsty, or experiencing dry mouth, increase your intake to 10–12 glasses or more, depending on your activity level, climate, and body size.

To keep your skin hydrated on the outside, use a hydrating serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help maintain moisture and plumpness.

3. Switch to Lighter Products

Warm weather can cause your skin to produce more sweat and sebum (natural oils). When combined with heavy creams or oils, this can clog pores and lead to breakouts, blackheads, or a greasy feeling.

To keep your skin feeling fresh, switch to a gel-based or oil-free moisturiser, use lightweight cleansers, and consider a serum instead of thick night creams. These lighter products allow your skin to breathe and help reduce the risk of congestion and breakouts.

If you have sensitive or mature skin, try a gel-cream hybrid or a light lotion with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These provide the moisture your skin needs without feeling heavy in warm weather.

4. Embrace Antioxidants

Antioxidants help protect your skin from environmental damage caused by UV rays, pollution, and free radicals. Look for serums or moisturisers that contain Vitamin C, green tea extract, or niacinamide—these ingredients can brighten your complexion and help fade dark spots caused by sun exposure.

In addition to topical products, make sure to include vitamin C and antioxidant-rich foods in your diet, such as berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and nuts, to support your skin from the inside out.

5. Protect Your Skin Physically

In addition to SPF, add another layer of protection with:

• Wide-brimmed hats

• Sunglasses with UV protection

• Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing during peak sun hours (11 AM–3 PM)

• Parasol or umbrella with UV protection

These simple additions can help prevent premature ageing and reduce the risk of sunburn.

Conclusion

As UV rays intensify during the summer months, protecting your skin becomes more important than ever. By applying high-SPF sunscreen, switching to lightweight moisturisers, adding antioxidants like Vitamin C or niacinamide, and using physical protection like a wide-brimmed hat or UV umbrella, you can help prevent sun damage and premature ageing.

With the right summer skincare routine, you can enjoy the season in comfort, whether you’re relaxing by the seaside, hiking in the mountains, or enjoying a day out in the city. Keep your skin hydrated, protected, and glowing all summer long.