Feeling the rising temperature? Your skin must be feeling it too! Do you know what it calls for? It calls for a switch to a skincare routine for summer. After all, your usual products might not be cutting it, thanks to the scorching sun and high humidity.
This brings us to the real question: How do you do it? What's a non-negotiable for skincare during summer? How do you balance between your skin and the products? We've all the answers in our ultimate guide to skincare during summer. Get ready for a glowing, sun-kissed complexion!
Understanding Summer Skin Concerns
Summer is not just all about fun in the sun. More sun means more chances for damage, breakouts, and dryness. So you must also care for your skin during these warmer months to keep it healthy and happy. Here's why (in detail):
Increased Sun Exposure
You must watch out for UV damage and sunburn when you're out in the sun more. Why? Actually, UV radiation can get through your skin, leading to the following issues:
- Sunburn
- Premature aging (Wrinkles and fine lines)
- Hyperpigmentation (Dark spots)
- Uneven skin tone
- Melasma
- Actinic keratosis
- Skin cancer
Getting sunburnt can mess up your skin big time. It can even raise your risk of skin cancers down the road. In fact, over 8,000 people are expected to die of melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in 2024. Moreover, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes about 86% of melanoma cases.
That's why it's super important to protect yourself from the sun's harmful UV rays. So, you should apply sunscreen generously, wear protective clothing, and find some shade to keep your skin safe and sound.
Heat and Humidity
When it's hot and sticky out due to high temperature and humidity, your skin's hydration can take a hit, leading to the following:
- Dryness
- Flakiness
- Tightness
- Rough texture
- Dullness
- Increased sensitivity
- Itchiness
- Redness
- More prominent fine lines and wrinkles
When there's scorching heat outside, your body's natural response is to sweat. But all that sweat can leave your skin feeling parched if you don't hydrate enough.
Plus, the heat and humidity kick your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. The result? Your skin feels super greasy and becomes prone to breakouts. All that sweat and oil mixes with dirt and pollution. The result? Well, it can clog your pores and make acne worse.
Summer Skincare Essentials
When the heat kicks in, you need to bring in summer skincare products to keep your skin safe from the blazing sun and all the other stuff that comes with it. These essentials go beyond sun protection; they're your defence against everything the summer throws at your skin.
Sunscreen
You can't skip the sunscreen in your skincare routine for summer. So, here's how to use it perfectly:
- Grab a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 (Sun Protection Factor) to cover all your bases against UVA and U
- VB rays. Pay attention to the PA rating, too. The more plus (+) signs it has, the better the sunscreen is.
- Apply it daily to keep your skin safe from the sun's harmful rays. These rays can speed up aging, cause sunburns, and even increase your risk of skin cancer.
- Sunscreen doesn't last forever, especially if you're swimming or sweating. Reapply every 2 to 3 hours or more often if you're getting wet or sweaty.
- Make sure you don't forget spots like your ears, lips, and tops of your feet. Be thorough and get every inch covered.
- Give your sunscreen about 15 minutes to sink in before heading outside. That way, it's fully absorbed and ready to protect you.
- If you're using other skincare products, put your sunscreen on last. That way, it stays on the outermost layer and can do its job properly.
- Stash a travel-size sunscreen in your bag or car so you're always prepared.
All this is for the face and areas around it. What about your arms and legs, especially if you are wearing sleeveless or shorts? Well, grab sunscreen for your body, too. These days, the formulas are available in spray forms to make it easier to apply.
But wait! Did you know there is sunscreen for your scalp, too? You read it right! Scalp sunscreens usually come in the form of powder or spray. Apply it in areas with less hair coverage, the back of your neck, hairline, part line, and the area between your forehead and scalp.
Now, you might be wondering, "Ugh, why do I need sunscreen for my hair?" Well, that's because summer sun can cause dryness and brittleness. It can also fade your hair color, especially if you are a redhead, and give you scalp sunburns too!
Lightweight Moisturizer
Besides protecting yourself from the sun, keeping your skin hydrated is a must in the summer. But let's be real — applying thick moisturizers when it's blazing hot feels like suffocating. So, here's what you should do:
- Switch your thick moisturizer with a lightweight one to give your skin the hydration it needs without feeling heavy.
- Go for gel or water-based ones. Because they soak in fast and leave you with a fresh, non-greasy feel. They're perfect for oily or combination skin, letting your skin breathe easily even when it's scorching outside.
Get your hands on the Light Moisturizer from ILEM JAPAN. Its lightweight, water-based formula quickly absorbs into the skin to restore your skin's balance. Plus, the formula is perfect to use during the day—no greasiness, just pure hydration.
Antioxidant Serum
Adding an antioxidant serum to your summer skin routine will give your skin extra protection against all the danger that lingers in the air.
UV rays and pollution can mess with your skin big time. Antioxidants will protect your skin against them. Plus, they will fight off the free radicals, keeping your skin safe from oxidative stress and slowing down the signs of aging.
So, when you're hunting for skincare products, here's what you should remember:
- Keep an eye out for serums packed with powerful antioxidants like vitamin C, which brightens the complexion and boosts collagen production.
- You can also opt for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Because they'll plump up your skin and smooth out any rough patches.
- There's also this awesome ingredient called marula oil. Coming from the kernels of marula tree fruits, it's packed with antioxidants that keep your skin nourished and protected.
The good news? You can find all these ingredients in our special, powerful serums. The Brightening serum contains loads of Vitamin C to even tone your complexion and blur all blemishes.
Similarly, the Hydrating serum contains not one but two super hydrating ingredients—Hyaluronic acid and Marula Oil. It's a jackpot product that gives you mochi plump skin.
Hydrating Mist
The heat will make you feel drained. So, if you want to refresh your skin throughout the day, just reach for a hydrating mist. It will give your skin an instant boost and revival. Look specifically for mists formulated with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or cucumber as they help calm inflammation and irritation while providing a cooling sensation.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, choose oil-free or non-comedogenic mists to hydrate without clogging pores. Just spray whenever you need to energize your skin, whether chilling by the pool or hustling in the sun.
Adjusting Your Cleansing Routine
Let's face it — sweat, oil, and sunscreen can pile up on your skin during summer. So, here's how you can tweak your cleansing regime for the summer:
Gentle Cleanser
A gentle cleanser cleanses the skin while maintaining its natural balance and leaving it feeling comfortable. This also makes it suitable for daily use and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
So, when picking out a cleanser, go for the gentle ones that clean up the gunk without stripping your skin dry. Skip the harsh ingredients like sulfates and alcohol. They can make dryness and irritation even worse.
Quick suggestion? Check out our Gentle Cleanser. It is particularly formulated with Japanese Yuzu and Grape Leaf to cleanse and brighten your complexion.
Double Cleansing in the Evening
In the evenings, go for double cleansing to wipe away all the makeup, sunscreen, and grime built up during the day. Here's how:
- Massage an oil-based cleanser onto your skin to melt away makeup and sunscreen.
- Follow up with a gentle foaming cleanser to wash off any leftover residue.
- Give your skin a thorough cleanse.
This routine ensures that your skin remains perfectly clean without drying it out.
Tips for Managing Sweat and Oiliness
Dealing with sweat and oiliness in the summer calls for some specific solutions. Here are some key tips to keep your skin looking and feeling fresh:
Oil-Control Products
Add some oil-control products to your routine, like mattifying moisturizers or primers, to tackle that shine and keep sebum production in check. They'll give you a matte look and keep your skin feeling smooth and shine-free all day long.
Blotting Papers
Blotting papers are convenient and effective for managing sweat and oiliness. How? Well, they soak up all the extra oil without messing up your makeup. Just dab them on oily spots, and that's it! Instant matte finish with no shine in sight. So, keep blotting papers handy for a quick touch-up whenever you need to stay looking fresh and put together.
After-Sun Care
As much as you may love soaking your skin in the summer and getting a tan bath, know that you will have to put double effort into rejuvenating your skin later. The sad part about it? It is a non-negotiable if you want to keep your skin healthy. Here are some after-sun care tips for you!
Soothing Gel or Lotion
Get yourself a soothing gel or lotion made just for soothing sunburned or irritated skin. Your skin will feel much better after a day in the sun. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber extract, or chamomile. Because they'll soothe and calm your skin.
You should also apply a rejuvenating gel or lotion to help ease redness, inflammation, and any discomfort so you can bounce back faster.
We have a Rejuvenating Night Gel formulated with Bulgarian Damask Rose Stem Cells, Evening Primrose Seed Extract, and Japanese Plum Extract. It is revitalizing, protective, and anti-inflammatory—all things you need post-sun exposure.
Hydrating Face Mask
Treat your skin to a hydrating face mask after a day in the sun. Look for masks loaded with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides to give your skin a moisture boost and patch up that moisture barrier.
Our Hydrating face mask is loaded with hyaluronic acid and Japanese Rice bran extract to give you an intense shot of hydration. Plus, we use bio-cellulose nata de coco (coconut water) to craft these sheets. As a result, they have a natural cooling effect.
Yet if you want an all-round brightening-hydrating-firming experience, opt for our Bio-Cellulose Kao Bento. Besides the hydrating face mask, it contains a brightening face mask with vitamin C and Japanese Sakara for radiant, blushing skin. Wait, there's more! The bento also has a firming face mask with niacinamide and Japanese green tea to turn the clock back on your skin.
You can also go for some DIY hydrating face masks. Just blend the slices of half of a cucumber and mix until it's watery. Then, add two tablespoons of aloe vera gel and blend until smooth. Or, you can mash an avocado with 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil in a mixing bowl and apply the mix for 20 minutes.
Trust us; the cool, refreshing feeling of a hydrating mask is just what you need to cool down and chill out after a day in the sun.
Hydration and Diet Tips
You have got to take a step beyond just external hydration and hydrate your body from the inside. After all, when the summer heat kicks in, dehydration becomes a real risk.
Drinking Plenty of Water
You must drink lots of water all day. Staying hydrated is important when the heat is high. And bonus — it's not just good for your skin. It helps your digestion, keeps your blood flowing, and helps you regulate your body temp.
Here's how you can increase water intake during hot weather:
- Carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go, whether at work, running errands, or exercising.
- Keep a glass of water by your bedside to sip on first thing in the morning and before going to bed to kickstart hydration and stay hydrated overnight.
- Set some reminders on your phone or download a hydration app to make sure you're hitting your water goals.
- Plain water might feel boring. So, why don't you toss in some fresh fruits, mint, or herbs to amp up your water? It makes sipping on water way more fun.
- Drink water before, during, and after outdoor activities, exercise, or prolonged sun exposure to make up for the fluids lost through sweat.
- Pay attention to your body's cues for thirst, and drink water whenever you feel thirsty. Don't wait until you're feeling dehydrated to hydrate.
Eating Water-Rich Foods
You can't go wrong with munching water-rich fruits and veggies like watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, and oranges. After all, they're hydrating snacks. Plus, they're packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that keep you hydrated and give your skin that healthy glow.
Eating lots of water-packed foods is like a boost for your whole body. And it's not just about fruits and veggies. You should throw in some hydrating drinks like herbal teas, coconut water, and fresh-squeezed juices to keep your fluid intake up.
Conclusion
Keeping your skin on point during the summer is a must, even with all the heat and sweat trying to mess things up. So, use sunscreen daily, opt for lightweight moisturizers, incorporate antioxidant serums, and adjust your cleansing routine to combat sweat and oiliness.
When it comes to sunscreen, make sure it's broad-spectrum. Keep drinking water and munching on hydrating foods. After all, you've to keep your skin glowing and protected while you soak up the summer vibes.
