Consider this your go-to summer skincare for sweaty days ahead.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Beach trips, tan lines, and sweet, icy treats are hot ticket items all summer long — and so is summer skincare. Your favorite summer self-care rituals require some slight adjustments as we settle into the long hours and potent sun during the year’s hottest months.
While every complexion and location will require something unique to meet your needs, this guide is a good place to start locking in your skincare for sweaty summer days and nights to come.
Use these summer skincare tips to take skin from dry and parched to hydrated and glowy — no matter the temp outside.
5 HOT SUMMER SKINCARE TIPS
1. GO GENTLE WITH YOUR CLEANSER
Sweat and skin make summer…summer. You’ll likely have a sweaty face and be caked in layers of sunscreen by day’s end. That’s just all part of the summertime vibe. And sweat isn’t a bad thing!
Take it from leading dermatologist Dr. Renée Synder, who says: “As sweat is released, it can do wonders for your skin. By unclogging pores and removing impurities and dead skin cells, sweating reduces the chances of breaking out.” (Plus, working up a sweat can even flush out some sebum, your skin’s natural oil.)
Still, on a hot day, nothing beats coming home and washing your face. Some cleansers come with a stripping formula that can leave the skin feeling dry and tight — which is exactly what you don’t want in the heat of summer.
To avoid this, stick to a simple, gentle cleanser like the Golden Face Cleanser with Manuka Honey to wash away makeup, sweat, and impurities. This soothing facial cleanser leaves skin feeling clean, soft, and refreshed, while the scent of sage and oat milk calms the mind.
Our recommendation: Golden Cleanser with glycerin plus Manuka honey and turmeric.
2. WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN
Yes, we know “you know,” but just in case: Sunscreen in summer — and year-round — is a must-have regimen. Broad spectrum helps protect against harmful UVA/UVB rays, even on cloudy days. Ensuring you’re protected in the summer lets you safely enjoy rooftop mimosas, and sandy shores. (Just don’t forget to reapply at least every 2 hours!)
Our recommendation: Protect Your Light SPF 30 with niacinamide plus squalane.
3. BALANCE, BOOST, AND VISIBLY BRIGHTEN
Summer means exposing your skin to more sun and environmental factors. Peptides help provide hydration and firmer-looking skin. Take, for example, Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum, which features a potent amino acid formulation that’s clinically proven to help improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
You can also turn to brightening ingredients in your daily ritual, like the Promise Serum. This lightweight serum contains niacinamide, which helps brighten the appearance of skin, and toning zinc PCA, which helps control excess oil for a balanced, healthy-looking complexion.
Our recommendation: Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum with polypeptide complex and multi-weight hyaluronic acid.
4. KEEP YOUR SKIN & BODY HYDRATED
A reusable water bottle should be your BFF year-round, but especially in the summertime where hydration is key. Drink up!
And when it comes to summer skincare, less is more, especially when it comes to moisturizer and body care. Unlike winter’s drying temperatures, summer requires lightweight hydration, starting in your bath shower. Skip extra-long, hot soaks in the summer and opt for cooler, shorter stays in the bathroom.
After towel-drying, ditch the richer creams for a lightweight body lotion that gives skin a radiant glow, and swap thick facial creams for a lightweight, gel-cream texture moisturizer to keep your skin feeling soft without weighing you down.
Our recommendation: the non-greasy feeling Sacred Body Lotion, infused with chia seed oil and glycerin, making it a trusty companion for soft-feeling skin. Plus, the soothing sage + oat milk scent makes a fresh-feeling go-to lotion even on warm summer days.
5. ELEVATE YOUR NATURAL GLOW
Summer skincare is a great time to embrace your natural radiance. With the heat and sweat, you can dare go bare or add a pop of color. Whatever you choose, make sure it suits your style and comfort.
Minimal makeup can pack a big punch in the summer, and it only takes a few product offerings to put together a luminous look. For a low maintenance, makeup-free look, reach for Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum for a kiss of golden glow to the high points of the cheeks or decolletage.
Want to level up the look? Start with a few swipes of tinted lip balm for hydrated lips with a sheer wash of color, or tap on Gleam On Highlighting Balm, infused with an amethyst blend, to the tip of the nose, cheekbones, or Cupid’s Bow for good measure.
Remember — stay consistent with your SPF whenever you’re in the sun, and be sure to reapply at least every two hours.
Our recommendation: Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum with visibly brightening niacinamide and replenishing rosewater.
THE SCIENCE & BENEFITS OF SWEATING
Whether you adore that dewy glow or dread the soaked and smudged makeup, sweat has impacted your skin — and confidence — at one point or another. (We’ve all been there!)
But sweat holds remarkable secrets beyond appearances, and our in-house dermatologist, Dr. Renée Snyder, is unveiling its transformative power on radiant-looking skin.
Could sweating be the unsung hero of your skincare ritual? Let’s explore how the benefits of sweating can enhance your mood and better your overall health in five surprising ways.
1. HELPS DETOXIFY THE BODY
Sweating is vital to aiding the detoxification of your body by helping to flush out impurities, excess oils, and harmful toxins through your pores. This cleansing process helps prevent clogged pores, reducing the chances of annoying blackheads and whiteheads.
Dr. Renée adds, “Sweat isn’t just about cooling you off; it also plays a role in detoxifying your body. Small amounts of heavy metals, urea, and other substances can be excreted through sweat, complementing the detoxification processes of your liver and kidneys. It’s teamwork, baby!”
2. HELPS MAINTAIN SKIN HEALTH
Embrace sweat’s skincare superpower for a fresh, healthy complexion. Dr. Renée suggests, “As sweat is released, it can do wonders for your skin. By unclogging pores and removing impurities and dead skin cells, sweating reduces the chances of breaking out.”
3. HELPS REGULATE BODY HEAT
From commuting underground via subway to walking the busy NYC streets, sweating is an inevitable part of city living. When the summer heat is on, your sweat takes the stage as the natural body-cooling superhero. As the water in perspiration evaporates from your skin, it cools you down, keeping you composed and fresh even on the hottest days.
Dr. Renée explains, “Sweating helps dissipate heat from the skin’s surface, effectively cooling down your body. So, the next time you’re out and about on a hot day, thank your sweat for keeping you cool and composed.”
THE NOT-SO-GREAT SIDE OF SWEATING
Of course, the downsides to sweat are also real. Dr. Renée warns there are several things you should watch out for:
1. CLOGGING OF PORES
“If sweat mixes with dead skin cells, bacteria, and makeup and isn’t washed off properly, it can lead to clogged pores. So, make sure to keep your skin clean and fresh!” says Dr. Renée.
Soulcare tip? Keep skin clean and soft feeling with our Golden Face Cleanser, made to leave you feeling fresh. Thorough cleansing, non-comedogenic offerings, and regular exfoliation may help to keep your pores feeling fresh.
2. SKIN IRRITATION
Excess sweating can sometimes cause skin irritation, rashes, and even infections. Heat rash and chafing are some unwelcome guests that may show up uninvited.
3. FLUID LOSS AND DEHYDRATION
If you sweat excessively, you might lose too much fluid, leading to dehydration. You even sweat where you least expect and see it — including if you’re cannonballing into your pool. Drink plenty of H2O to stay feeling your best.
4. INCREASED SKIN SENSITIVITY
Sweating can increase skin sensitivity for those with underlying skin conditions. Watch out for certain fragrances and preservatives that might trigger discomfort. (Choose something fragrance-free if you’re feeling unsure.)
TIPS FOR FEELING FRESH
Now that you know the science of sweat, Dr. Renée offers some expert tips to help you embrace it while taking care of your skin:
EXFOLIATE REGULARLY
Exfoliation gets a bad rap, but it’s one of the most effective tools in your skincare toolkit for buffing away dullness and helping to reveal your skin’s true radiance from within. In the summer, because you are often wearing SPF, makeup, and sweating, adding regular exfoliation to your summer skincare ritual can help you feel fresh.
Be careful not to overdo it with exfoliation. Start slow, and if your skin develops redness or irritation after exfoliating, you may want to evaluate if the frequency and ingredients are right for your skin type.
A mix of physical and chemical exfoliation can help you feel extra fresh. One way to physically exfoliate is right before showering. Use Energizing Dry Body Brush to help soften the skin, sweeping over the body in short, upward strokes for 3-5 minutes.
You can use a gentle chemical and physical body exfoliator 2-3 times per week while in the bath or shower.
For the face, transform Be Luminous Skin Exfoliating Powder from a fine powder to a creamy foam with the help of a little agua and allow the soothing microgranules to get to work buffing away dull skin.
USE A FACIAL MIST
Whenever you crave a moment of calm renewal — coming back to the office after a lunchtime walk or waiting on the subway platform to catch your train — spritz on Reviving Aura Face Mist to help replenish dry, dull skin.
Our facial mist is formulated with skin-loving ingredients like glycerin, witch hazel, and rose water to add a weightless layer of hydration you can use anytime of day. Use as either a mist or a facial toner.
WEAR AN ANTIPERSPIRANT
Dr. Renée clarifies, “Deodorants are just perfumes. They do not stop you from sweating. They make you smell like a flower, sometimes a super gross one. An antiperspirant is a salt or mineral component that helps prevent or limit the secretion of sweat. Generally, aluminum or zirconium are the best ones to use.”
WEAR BREATHABLE CLOTHING
“Opt for breathable clothing that allows air circulation and moisture evaporation. This helps reduce skin irritation and rashes.” One of the best fabrics is 100% cotton, and whatever you choose, make sure it’s loose-fitting to allow for more air circulation,” Dr. Renée advises.
SUMMER SKINCARE FAQS
WHAT SKINCARE IS BEST FOR SUMMER?
Keep your summer skincare ritual on the minimal side. For example, reach for lightweight, water-based hydration in lieu of heavy moisturizing creams you typically use in the winter. Here’s a simple, 3 step summer skincare routine to get you started:
- Step 1: Gently cleanse the skin with our Golden Cleanser to remove any traces of dirt, makeup, or product buildup
- Step 2: Opt for gentle and hydrating formulas. (Think of ingredients like hyaluronic acid.)
- Step 3: Hydrate and help protect with our Protect Your Light Daily Moisturizer and SPF 30 Sunscreen, which acts as both an everyday moisturizer and your SPF step in one.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MY SKIN FOR SUMMER?
Here are a few tips to help your skin thrive in the summer:
- Keep your ritual simple
- Take shorter, cooler showers
- Wash your face — even when you’re exhausted from a long day in the sun
- Set a timer on your phone to remind you to re-up your SPF (trust us — it works!)
CAN YOU SWEAT OFF SKINCARE?
Sweat won’t completely remove your skincare, but it can dilute the effectiveness of your routine if you aren’t careful. Here’s how to make the most of your ritual during the summer:
- Allow formulas to fully soak in before going to the gym or going out
- Avoid touching your face, and blot instead of wipe away sweat if possible
- Reapply sunscreen after sweating
WHAT SKINCARE PRODUCTS SHOULD I AVOID DURING SUMMER?
This comes down to your skin type, personal preference, and even geography. Here are a few skincare products people talk about avoiding in the summer:
- Heavy, cream based moisturizers
- Harsh exfoliants and retinoids
- Chemical peels (which also make your skin more sensitive to the sun!)
How do you embrace sweaty season with your summer skincare routine? Let us know your ritual in the comments!
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