Summer has locked in over the great state of Arid-Zona and we are all doing our best to keep our skin as dewy and moist as possible, but it’s always going to be a battle even in the less-deserty areas in the north.
The order of products applied during your skin care routine generally does not change according to the seasons, but you may choose ones with different compositions depending on your needs. Sunscreen application can vary depending on which type you use.
This is one effective summer skin routine to consider for facing a day in the sun.
Vitamin C
After completing your cleansing routine, using a vitamin C serum is a great way to start out the morning any day of the year. This is especially true in the summer when you’re facing more and more intense ultraviolet sun rays that trigger free radical production that can lead to premature aging and discoloration.
Some researchers have found evidence that vitamin C reduces wrinkles and improves skin texture and appearance overall and, when used with SPF products, can protect against carcinogenic UV light.
Spritzes
Face spritzes and mists can be squirted any time you feel the need to reboot your moisture content, but they’re a great add-on to your morning routine for further prepping your skin for the products to come after.
The hydration itself is key but they’re also infused with botanicals and nutrients with health-boosting effects.
Serum
You’ve already applied your vitamin C serum; now it’s time for a treatment serum to more directly address issues like fine lines, dullness, eye concerns, hydration and plumping.
You may want to stack a couple products here to get the results you’re looking for, but don’t neglect to put the moisturizer on, as serums alone don’t deliver the intense moisture you’re looking for in the summer.
Moisturizer
Many skin care experts recommend a lighter, less-creamy moisturizer in summer versus winter, assuming that humidity will accelerate with the temperature as it tends to do back East. But use your own judgement on what works best for you and your skin type.
Don’t forget about the other things you should do to keep your skin hydrated including drinking water, avoiding long, hot showers, not using products containing alcohol and using SPF protection on your lips.
Sunscreen
This one can be a little tricky because most routines leave this crucial step for the end, but some make a distinction for chemical sunscreen, which is usually transparent and absorbs UV rays within your skin. This may need more time to be absorbed and should be applied at the beginning.
Consult the instructions and your dermatologist to figure out the correct approach. Mineral sunscreen, which has a whitish cast unless tinted and forms a physical barrier on top of the skin, always should be the last product you apply before makeup.
