Your summer skin care checklist is here

With the weather warming up there are a few things we update - often we switch to a fresher and lighter fragrance, we whip out the fake tan, to ensure our limbs are bronzed and ready to see the light of day and we get the sunscreen ready for those inevitable beach and pool days. One thing we are less likely to mix up, however, is our skin care routine. We spoke to Olay skin care expert, David Khoo, to learn exactly why and where we should be switching up our skin care routines in summer, the non-negotiable products we need and what we should be avoiding.
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What actually changes for our skin when the weather warms up?
“Your skin will constantly respond to its surrounding environment and associated conditions,” says Khoo. “Among other things, the increase in temperature, may increase melanin production as a protective response to UV exposure.” Melanin is what gives your skin its colour, whether it is burnt or tanned. “The warmer weather [also] causes your skin to age at an increased rate. We know that UV radiation is the main cause of extrinsic skin ageing and that accumulated UV exposure causes cellular and molecular damage in the skin,” explains Khoo. “Over time, this damage can lead to dry or coarse skin, premature lines and wrinkles and a loss of skin’s elasticity.”
So what should we be doing in summer to keep our skin in it’s best shape?
“Using a moisturiser that contains SPF will combat the symptoms of dry, coarse skin as well as protecting against further damage,” says Khoo. With a global survey finding that only 18% of women use daily sunscreen or moisturiser with SPF, it seems an obvious thing to do but is often overlooked, he explains.
What are the non-negotiable products to include in your skin care routine this summer?
The first step is finding an effective cleanser. Excess sebum tends to be more of an issue in the summer, so a “good cleanser prepares your skin to absorb the nourishing ingredients it needs,” says Khoo. Another non-negotiable for summer is an antioxidant serum, such as Vitamin C, used in the morning, this will help protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage, as well as helping correct pigmentation. At night time using a niacinamide serum can also help soothe and reduce inflammatory damage caused by UV exposure. Finally, finding a moisturiser with SPF is the crucial last step in a summer skin care routine, in the morning, and a restorative moisturiser at night.
Now, what should we be avoiding in summer?
The only thing Khoo recommends avoiding in summer is greasy sunscreens, “not because they don’t work, but because you may find them uncomfortable. If you find your sunscreen uncomfortable you will be less likely to apply and reapply as needed.”
Here's your summer skin care checklist:
For cleansers, bh loves: Olay Regenerist Revitalising Cream Cleanser, Rationale ProCeramide Cleanser (find it at rationale.com.au), Abeeco Brightening Cream Cleanser
For antioxidant serums, bh loves: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic (find it at skinceuticals.com.au), Alpha-H Vitamin C Serum, DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C
For niacinamide serums, bh loves: Paula’s Choice RESIST Niacinamide Booster 10%, Synergie Skin Vitamin B, Ultraceuticals Ultra MD Ultimate Red Action Complex
For moisturisers with SPF bh loves: Olay Complete UV Moisturising Lotion SPF30, asap Moisturising Daily Defence SPF 50 (find it at adorebeauty.com.au), Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50
For restorative night time moisturisers, bh loves: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Ageing Overnight Cream, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Creme
For (non greasy) SPF formulas, bh loves: Reef Dry Touch SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Tinted SPF 50+, Ella Bache Great 50+ Sportsbloc Active, Cancer Council Face Day Wear Moisturiser Matte SPF50+ Invisible
For hydrating body products, bh loves: Johnson’s Dreamy Skin Cream Body Wash, L’Occitane Shea Butter Body Lotion, Sol de Janiero Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (find it at mecca.com.au)
Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts?
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98 Member Comments
Hey, I needed this..
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Great advice! I find it very difficult to apply sunscreen purely because of what Khoo mentioned of it being greasy and uncomfortable, so I just avoid it. But can't believe thats how low the stats are of women applying sunscreen!I thought it was just me!
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Great advice! I find it very difficult to apply sunscreen purely because of what Khoo mentioned of it being greasy and uncomfortable, so I just avoid it. But can't believe thats how low the stats are of women applying sunscreen!I thought it was just me!
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This is a fantastic list. I use a lot of these products year round as my skin is quite oily and have been very happy with them. Great recommendations
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that only 18% of women use daily sunscreen or moisturiser with SPF??/ WOW thats incredible
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Greasy SPF creams makes me not want to use a SPF. It is really important to find a non greasy SPF.
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I've definitely upped my sunscreen usage this Summer, and my skin is so much happier for it. Unfortunately though, I have been neglecting my other general skincare routines, especially for my face, so this article is super helpful and I am keen to give some of these products a go :)
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I'm just going to go ahead and save this whole article for the tibits! Skincare is paramount!
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I use a facial antiperspirant, but only if I'm going out on a really hot day. Sunscreen is for every time I leave the house during daylight hours.
My oily skin doesn't need moisturising in summer. I drink a LOT of water, so I'm very hydrated.
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Facial antiperspirant. I have not heard too much about them. Where do you get yours? ie facial cream section of the chemist?
I am imagining a underarm antiperspirant being applied to the face :)
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I'm sorry for the delay in replying, Elunia, but I've been offline for a while.
Haha! No, it's not underarm antiperspirant. I've tried two products, both are available at Chemist Warehouse:
1. Neat Feat 3B Face Saver
2. No More Sweat Antiperspirant Face & Scalp
I've explained them in greater depth on the forum, on the "Humidity And Makeup" thread created by member Stacey827, here: www.beautyheaven.com.au/forums/help-ive-got-a-beauty-dilemma/humidity-and-make-up
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Thank you!
Don’t worry about the wait. I sometimes don’t come online for a few week.
I’m going to have a read through now.
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I haven't tried any of these products, but I regularly use a niacinamide serum in my skincare routine & sunscreen is an absolute must for me now. Despite knowing better, I went through a phase in my 20's of not wearing it as much due to how heavy/greasy they can be and now in my 30's I've paid the ultimate price for my stupidity: I've had 3 (non-melanoma) skin cancers removed from my face in the last 2 years. Now I'm quite diligent with sunscreen - not perfect mind you, but I'm better with it than I was pre-diagnosis.
Atm I'm trying out the aforementioned Invisible Zinc sunscreen on my face, albeit the untinted version (the tinted ones would be too dark for my lily white skin) & so far I'm enjoying it. I think it'll be my summer facial sunscreen as my usual Sunsense Sensitive Invisible is too moisturising for my face in the warmer months (especially if I had a tinted moisturiser over the top).
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always need to use sunscreen there no negotiating!
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spf very day no matter what for me. even if im lazy, ill do spf
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I didn't wear a sunscreen for many years so I'm def. paying for it now with lots of sun damage. These days, I'm a real stickler for sunscreen (which may vary from time to time but when I find a brand I love, I tend to stick with it) so will rotate btwn the same two before finishing off with my last step - a tinted glow guard.
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So true. You need to find non-greasy comfortable to skin sunscreen in summer. Otherwise, you will be so lazy to apply and reapply it when needed.
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Over the wamer months I use la Roche-posay sunscrean with moisture and colour tint for my face. Some other sunscreens I seem to react to.
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Love their products so much...it just absorbs really well, not dry or oily but very effective protection. Haven't tried anything other than suncare though.
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- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Umbrella
- Water
- Soothing products.
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I have a lighter umbrella for summer and a darker one for winter :)
When I worked in the suburbs it was easy to use it but it is a little more awkward now that I work in the city and there is less space to walk through with an umbrella.
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Umbrellas are so underrated when it comes to hot sunny days. Wish it was more trendy...these days I get to see only grannies carrying umbrella and makes me feel bit hesitant :/
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I'm trying to break this! I'm trying to walk around with an umbrella because who cares about what people think? I literally walk with a hat and an umbrella when it's really sunny because double protection for my porcelain skin xD
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