Your Summer Skin Care Checklist

by
summer skin care

It was a slow start to summer this year but boy is the heat making up for it now. And while we’re sure you’ve already made a few swaps to your beauty routine, revising your summer skin care checklist is always a good idea.

Just like the must-haves in your beach bag, there are certain staples that are a no-brainer if you’re looking to (safely) glow in the summertime.

After all, when you have sweat, sun and salt to contend with, you’re going to need some heavy hitters. Especially if you’re aiming to keep pigmentation at bay.

So what’s on our summer skin care checklist? We thought you’d never ask…

bh’s ultimate summer skin care checklist

#1 A non-greasy, lightweight face sunscreen

Fact: if you don’t like your face sunscreen, you’re less likely to use it. But it’s 2023 and there are plenty of formulas out there that absorb well, feel lightweight, and won’t cause congestion. You just have to find ‘the one’ (and that’s where reviews come in handy).

cancer council face day wear hydrating serum spf50+

bh recommends: Cancer Council Face Day Wear Hydrating Serum, $12.47 at Chemist Warehouse

#2 An easy-to-apply, sweat-resistant body sunscreen

The worst part about missing a spot with your body sunscreen is not realising until a red patch shows up hours later. That’s why we’re a big advocate for sunscreens that spread easily and have the ability to reach every nook and cranny. Bonus points if they don’t sweat off while we’re on our morning beach walk.

sweat-resistant sunscreen

bh recommends:

#3 An SPF lip balm

Chapped lips in winter are bad, yes. But sunburnt lips in summer? Worse. Don’t let it happen to you.

bh recommends: SunSense Lip Balm SPF 50+, $5.49 at Chemist Warehouse

bh recommends: Carmex ® lip balm Click Sticks™ with SPF15, $3.11 at Priceline

#4 A vitamin C serum

When applied in the morning, a vitamin C serum will help protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage, as well as help to correct pigmentation.

no.7 vitamin c serum

bh recommends: No.7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum, $24.49 at Priceline

#5 A niacinamide serum

When applied at night, a niacinamide serum can help soothe and reduce inflammatory damage caused by UV exposure.

la roche posay niacinamide serum

bh recommends: La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum, $71.95 at Adore Beauty

#6 A moisturiser with SPF

Make your summer moisturiser work smarter, not harder. Find one that absorbs well and can be layered with your sunscreen when needed. It may sound like a skin care unicorn but they are out there.

synergie skin uber zinc

bh recommends: Synergie Skin ÜberZinc, $120 at synergieskin.com

#7 A hydrating body lotion

Treat your limbs to some loving hydration after each shower. The skin on your body will be especially thirsty if you’ve been spending your time in chlorine pools and salty oceans.

qv ceramides body lotion

bh recommends: QV Ceramides Lotion, $10.39 at Chemist Warehouse

#8 A reliable BB cream or tinted moisturiser

We’re fond of skin care and makeup hybrids all year round, but there’s no denying they’re an MVP in summer. If you manage to find a formula that doesn’t pill or leave you overly shiny, you’re golden (and soon-to-be glowing).

bobbi brown tinted moisturiser

bh recommends: Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15, $76 at David Jones

#9 A skin-supportive supplement

Drinking plenty of water in summer is a no-brainer. But for that extra boost of hydration from the inside, consider reaping the benefits of hyaluronic acid or collagen in supplement form.

nature's way beauty collagen hyaluronic acid tabs

bh recommends: Nature’s Way Beauty Collagen + Hyaluronic Acid Tablets, $29.99 at Chemist Warehouse

#10 A cooling soothing spray

Is it summer without a touch of sun? No, we’re not talking full on burns here people (we are way more sun-safe than that and will be slathering SPF on accordingly!). We just know that summer’s day, warm (dried out) skin kind of feeling. So, pop a bottle of Plunkett’s Aloe Vera in the fridge and spritz this liberally over your fresh skin for a refreshing, soothing hit of hydration (but again, only to cool down, we know you know better than to get burnt!). 
bh recommends: Plunkett’s Certified Organic Aloe Vera Spray, $10.99 at Healthy Life

What are your summer skin care essentials? Do you use any of the above?

Keep reading

What Our Community Really Thinks Of The Biggest Cult Beauty Products

What Our Community Really Thinks Of The Biggest Cult Beauty Products

Makeup — October 5, 2021

Share your thoughts

Comments 43

  1. I switch to a clinical antiperspirant in summer, & use Neat Feat Face Saver (facial antiperspirant) on my face.

    I skip foundation & use IZ tinted sunscreen instead.

    Sometimes, I use a light fake tan on my legs & feet to cut the blinding white glare, haha!

    I mostly aestivate (the summer equivalent of hibernating) throughout summer & wait for the cooler weather.