Our Esthetician-Approved Summer Skincare Routine

The summer solstice is almost upon us, and just as you adjust your wardrobe to the seasons, you should adjust to a summer skincare routine, too. Warmer temperatures and changes in humidity and lifestyle habits mean your skin’s needs are different from what they were during the colder months. “Many people notice their skin feels more oily during the summer, especially if they have oily or combination skin,” says esthetician and Biossance Director of Global Education McKenzie Rose. “Increased sun exposure can also take its toll, leading to irritated, dehydrated skin.”

So what are the best summer skincare products for combating these concerns? Learn how to use these summer skincare essentials with this easy-to-follow, esthetician-approved routine.

1. Cleanse with Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser

Our bodies react to warmer temperatures and higher humidity by producing nature’s AC: sweat. When we start overheating, our eccrine sweat glands produce watery perspiration while our sebaceous glands produce oil to keep that sweat from evaporating too quickly, extending sweat’s cooling effect. The problem is that oil and water don’t mix, so your skin stays oily long after the sweat has evaporated.

“You may need a more powerful cleanser to combat increased oil production during the warmer months,” says McKenzie. “I love our Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser because its amino acid complex deep cleans pores without disrupting your skin’s moisture barrier.”

Formulated for all skin types, this satisfying foaming cleanser breaks down impurities while aloe calms and soothes and moringa extract removes remnants of pore-clogging environmental debris. Your skin is left clean, hydrated, and refreshed.4

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2. Use The Right Toner

“Many people skip toner, but I can’t stress enough how important it is,” says McKenzie. “Even plain water can disrupt your skin’s natural pH. By balancing your skin with toner, you’re preparing it to receive moisture while also getting additional skincare benefits.”

If your skin feels oily and breaks out during the summer months, our alcohol-free BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner can help. It uses white willow bark extract - a natural, oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid - to gently but powerfully exfoliate and decongest pores. Meanwhile, caviar lime extract works its alpha hydroxy magic to gently exfoliate dead cells from the surface of your skin. All this happens without any drying or over stripping thanks to our sugarcane-derived squalane, which balances the skin and leaves it smooth and hydrated.

If, on the other hand, higher temperatures cause your skin to flush, you may prefer a refreshing spritz of our Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mist. Formulated with two types of hyaluronic acid, this alcohol-free toning mist provides weightless hydration to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and soothe dry, irritated skin.

“Both of these products can be used on damp skin to increase absorption and boost hydration,” says McKenzie.

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3. Moisturize According to Your Skin Type

Many people respond to an increase in oil production by moisturizing less, when the key is to moisturize differently.

“Oily skin is often dehydrated skin that the body is trying to protect with increased oil production,” says McKenzie. “The right moisturizer can help balance and clear oily, acne-prone skin. Our Probiotic Gel Moisturizer is a great example of that.”

While our Probiotic Gel Moisturizer is a year-round go-to for people with oily skin, those with combination skin will especially appreciate its lighter texture and skin-balancing, blemish-clearing probiotics during the summer months. Meanwhile our superhero squalane mimics the body’s natural moisture, delivering actives deep into the skin alongside weightless hydration.

“And don’t forget your undereye area!” says McKenzie. “That delicate skin gets dehydrated fast, especially when you’re in the sun.” Our multi-award-winning Marine Algae Eye Cream deeply moisturizes and instantly lifts and with the power of paracress extract. Pink Marine Algae improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time and Squalane delivers all day hydration.

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4. Protect with Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen

Apply two finger lengths of our everyday sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine. Be sure to apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure to ensure protection and reapply as necessary. At minimum, you should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or whenever you towel off after swimming. Our multitasking SPF formula can also simplify your skincare routine by acting as a sunscreen, moisturizer, and a makeup primer all in one.