Summer’s been a long time coming. Most of us, have been counting the days until we can dig out those flip flops and throw on a pair of shorts. But most of us, have also neglected our skin during those cold winter months. It’s easy to skip a daily moisturizing and SPF regimen when you dress like this. 🙂
It’s May, and most days here in St-Louis are still sweater appropriate, coat optional. And then, every so often, a rare day pushes through the clouds and rain, or you pass a bush of hydrangeas flowering, and—ah, yes! Summer! It should be here so soon.
But then you’re reminded: summer is coming, and you’re not ready. You still need to dredge out your sandals from under your bed, book a much needed pedicure, and sort out the last place you saw your sunscreen. (The bathroom? A tote bag? It must be somewhere.) If you’re looking to get your skincare routine back in shape for summer, you’ll need more tools in your arsenal than just sunshine and warmer temps.
Don’t worry though, I will list some of my favorite skintips to get your skin prepped just in time for summer.
Last-call retinol
If you’ve been thinking about trying it all year, now’s the time to take the leap. In the warmer months, you’re less likely to experience the flaky skin that can happen as your skin adapts. Beyond that, it’s one of the best ways to treat dark marks and superficial acne scars, soften fine lines, smooth texture, and reverse sun damage.
A word of caution: retinol-based products can make you more sensitive to the sun. So remember to cleanse and use SPF in the morning, and save your retinol for the night. Always apply sunscreen with SPF of 30+ and avoid exposure during peak hours.
Try: Glymed Age Management Retinol Serum or prescription tretinoin from your dermatologist
Your perfect SPF
Remember the sun? After a harsh winter and a wet spring, you two have a lot of catching up to do! And while that’s nice, sun exposure has been shown to be responsible for 80-percent of visible aging. If you don’t already have a sunscreen you love, now is the time to find one. For sensitive or acne-prone skin, look for a zinc-based mineral sunscreen. In addition to protecting skin from UV rays, zinc also regulates oil production and soothes inflammation. The other option is a chemical sunscreen, which absorbs and neutralizes UV rays through a chemical reaction. These guys are often clear, and don’t leave a white cast. To make sure you’re getting enough protection, make sure to choose a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF—anything much higher than 50 probably isn’t giving any extra benefits.
Try: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
A vitamin C that actually works
Once you find your perfect SPF, pair it with a brightening vitamin C. The two have a symbiotic relationship: because vitamin C is an antioxidant, it supports SPF by neutralizing the free radicals that cause photodamage. Then, the SPF protects you from new dark marks, and the vitamin C can work on lightening the ones you already have. Because most vitamin C skincare products lose effectiveness when exposed to light and air, it’s important to use one that comes in a tinted bottle, or in powdered form.
Try: Image Skincare Vita C Serum– Brightens, tightens, while hydrating the skin.
All winter, protecting and sealing in moisture was the name of the game. But once summer hits, your favorite winter cream starts to feel like wearing a turtleneck to the beach. Instead, opt for some light layers—transitional dressing for your face, if you will. Gel moisturizers can feel nice and light for summer.
Try:
For dry skin try, Tatcha’s The Water Gel
OR try Image Skincare’s Vital C Hydrating Repair Cream
For oily skin, Image Skincare’s Clear Cell Mattifying Moisturizer
Bonus: self-tanner
If you need to get rid of dull winter skin in a pinch, self tanner does the job. Just a couple drops in your moisturizer each morning will gradually help you regain a glow. Once you’re a summer color, you can switch to your summer blush, your summer foundation, and then, would you look at that? It’s summer. You did it. And your skin looks radiant.
Try: ST. Tropez Classic Bronzing Mousse
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