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.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.Shop Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser2. 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 it 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 willowbark 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 overstripping 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.Learn more about tonersIncreased outdoor time means more fresh air, but it also means increased exposure to UV rays and pollution. While the premature aging, cancer-causing effects of UV rays are well-known, many people don’t realize that free radicals from pollution age us just as much as the sun, causing hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. Our body’s ability to protect and repair itself against pollution diminishes as we get older, further speeding up the aging process by making skin appear dull and causing premature aging.
“Vitamin C is an incredibly powerful ingredient to incorporate during the summer months,” says McKenzie. “It’s an antioxidant, which means it neutralizes free radicals to help protect your skin from damage. It also improves the look of dark spots and wrinkles while preventing new ones from forming.”
Our non-irritating Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum includes non-irritating 10% vitamin C to visibly brighten and fade dark spots while boosting collagen production for increased elasticity. It also contains white shitake mushroom to visibly improve uneven skin tone and to hydrate and drive active ingredients 40x deeper into the skin.Learn more about anti-pollution skincare4. 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 actually 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.” People with oily or combination skin will also appreciate the lighter texture of our Peptide Eye Gel, which weightlessly hydrates and visibly improves dark circles while improving the look of fine lines and crepiness. Need even more moisture? Turn to our multi-award-winning Marine Algae Eye Cream. This deeply moisturizing undereye cream instantly lifts and with the power of paracress extract while pink marine algae improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time and squalane delivers all day hydration.
Learn how to choose the right moisturizerYou’ve spent your entire skincare routine hydrating your skin to ensure that it stays healthy, hydrated, and plump. But exposure to irritants such as UV rays can disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier and cause water to evaporate out of your skin in a process known as transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
“Dehydrated skin can appear to age prematurely,” says McKenzie. “Also, the body may respond by producing more sebum, leading to oiliness and breakouts.”Prevent TEWL by locking in your skincare and supporting your skin’s moisture barrier with our cult-favorite Vitamin C Rose Oil.
Our science-backed formula features an innovative form of oil-soluble Vitamin C that’s uniquely stable and incredibly gentle. Use it as the final step in your skincare to brighten and moisturize while sealing in active ingredients, or add a few drops to makeup for a fresh, dewy look. As a lifestyle writer and journalist, I love sharing my passion for ocean conservation and obsession with clean beauty. I’ve tried almost every trend and ingredient, and Biossance’s science-backed formulas are the only ones that consistently calm my reactive skin and make it smoother, clearer, and healthier. I’m so excited to be on this journey of skincare innovation with Biossance, and to share it with you!
