Taking care of your skin is important all year, but it’s especially important during the summer, when heat, sunshine, and humidity pose more of a threat. UV intensity tends to be highest during the summer months, putting your skin at risk for burns, hyperpigmentation, premature wrinkles, and skin cancer.1
Read on to find out more about how your skin changes during the summer and how to protect your summer glow with the best skincare products for summer.
How Does Skin Change During The Summer?
Increased exposure to sunshine and heat during the summer can lead to a number of skin problems. Increased sweat and oil due to heat and humidity can make your skin a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to acne breakouts and inflammation. Dry heat without humidity isn’t always better; it can dehydrate your skin, and make wrinkles more obvious. Lastly, exposure to UV rays doesn’t always result in a tan. It can lead to sunburns and/or hyperpigmentation, when some areas of the skin are darker than others. If you suffer from melasma, a common skin disorder which causes discolored patches and spots, being out in the sun can make the condition worse.
Hydrating often and shielding your skin from the sun with protective clothing or hats are important steps to take, but you should also ensure your skincare regimen includes products that defend against summer stressors. Read on to explore the best summer skincare trends of 2023 and our favorite products to try this year.
Best Skincare Products For Summer
From azelaic acid to under-eye cream, the best skincare products to try for summer protect against acne, premature aging, dry skin, and other forms of skin damage caused by excess heat, humidity, and sunshine. Pair these products with the following summer skincare tips:
- Stay in the shade when it’s available, or use protective clothing or hats to shield yourself from the sun.
- When applying SPF, aim for an SPF of 30 or higher and don’t forget to apply to your neck and your decolletage.
- When taking a bath or shower, make sure the water is not too hot and don’t spend too much time in the water.
- Wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes.
- Exfoliate once or twice a week.
Incorporate the following products into your summer skincare routine in 2023:
1. Azelaic Acid Cream
Azelaic acid is a natural compound produced by yeast in certain grains as well as the beneficial yeast on our skin. It’s also a tyrosinase inhibitor, which means it helps to even out your skin tone by reducing the synthesis of melanin, preventing and treating hyperpigmentation. Even more, azelaic acid has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to prevent acne breakouts and irritation. Most over-the-counter azelaic acid products don’t contain more than 10% Azelaic Acid, which may not be enough to actually produce a significant improvement in the skin’s condition. Meanwhile, prescription formulas containing 15-20% too often dry out the skin. Foundation Skincare’s Azelaic Acid 14% Cream is medical-grade but comes in a moisturizing cream base to prevent it from drying out your skin. It soothes summer skin without irritation.
What it targets:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Premature aging
Why it’s a summer pick:
- Protects against hyperpigmentation brought on by potent UV rays
- Kills bacteria on the skin caused by sweating and bacteria triggered by summer humidity
- Will not make your skin more sensitive to the sunlight
How to use:
- Cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser and pat dry
- Apply a pea-sized amount of our Azelaic Acid 14% Cream to your face and gently massage it into your skin, concentrating on areas of concern
- Allow your skin to absorb the cream, and then apply lotion or moisturizer
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
2. Niacinamide Lotion
Niacinamide is a B vitamin with anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin, it increases the natural production of ceramides, which are fats that help to increase the barrier function of the skin and improve moisture retention. Niacinamide also helps to build keratin and other proteins important for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity while contributing to DNA repair. While niacinamide is also found in low 1-2% concentrations in other skincare products, Foundation Skincare’s Niacinamide Lotion 10% is powerful enough to produce results in 2-4 weeks without irritating skin. The formulation also contains hyaluronic acid to provide extra hydration.
What it targets:
- Inflammation
- Photodamaged skin
- Acne
- Dark spots
- Fine lines
- Enlarged pores
Why it’s a summer pick:
- Balance oil production to prevent breakouts triggered by humidity
- Enhances DNA repair for photodamaged skin caused by harmful UV rays
- Helps fade dark spots and brighten skin exacerbated by too much sunshine
How to use:
- Apply after cleansing and any serum, but before moisturizing or sunscreen
- Gently apply a thin layer, letting it dry before applying other products
- Use daily in both your morning and evening regimen
3. Vitamin C Lotion
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects against free radicals and encourages collagen production in the skin. It can significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage. Its brightening effects can also help improve hyperpigmentation. Foundation Skincare’s Vitamin C Lotion combines a potent concentration of vitamin C with another antioxidant, vitamin E, which further protects the skin against sun damage. With a moisturizing lotion base, this formulation also helps to improve the skin’s hydration levels.
What it targets:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Hyperpigmentation
- Premature aging
Why it’s a summer pick:
- Brightens hyperpigmentation caused or exacerbated by UV rays
- Counteracts the wrinkles and fine lines worsened by sun damage by boosting collagen production
- Anti-inflammatory properties ease redness and swelling associated with acne, which can be triggered by excess humidity
- Locks moisture in on dry summer days
How to use:
- Apply after cleansing, but before moisturizing or sunscreen
- Gently apply a thin layer, but keep away from eyes, lips, and mouth
- Use twice a day, once in the morning, once at night
Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
• Helps protect, repair & heal the skin
• Anti-inflammatory ingredient benefits
4. Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant with powerful hydrating qualities. It retains moisture in the cells to keep skin supple and flexible to minimize fine lines. As an antioxidant, it also helps to protect and repair the skin barrier for a more voluminous, radiant appearance. If you’re prone to dry skin or scarring, hyaluronic acid has been shown to speed up the skin’s natural healing process while hydrating at the deepest level. Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion has an immediately hydrating effect and is gentle enough to be paired with any other products you’re using this summer no matter what skin type you have.
What it targets:
- Dull, dry, and patchy skin
- Premature aging
Why it’s a summer pick:
- Moisturizes skin for a radiant summer glow, even on the driest days
- Plumps and protects against wrinkles and fine lines by restoring the skin barrier, which can be weakened by sun exposure
How to use:
- Apply a thin layer daily just before sunscreen, and at night before moisturizing
5. SPF
Using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (50+ is best) shields your skin from harmful UV rays while protecting against premature aging, sunburns, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays and may even protect the skin barrier, which defends your skin from environmental stressors.2
What it targets:
- Sun burns
- Photodamage or hyperpigmentation
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin cancer
Why it’s a summer pick:
- Harmful UV rays are most powerful during the summer months
- You will likely spend more time outdoors in the summer
- Should be part of your skincare routine all year long
How to use:
- Apply sunscreen last in your skincare routine
- Cover all exposed skin
- Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating
- Use sunscreen even on cloudy days
- Aim for an SPF of 30, 50 or higher
6. Night Renewal Cream
Foundation Skincare’s Night Renewal Cream contains essential peptide growth factors and a gentle retinoid to improve skin texture while reducing fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and dark spots. Formulated with 2% Granactive™ Retinoid, the product offers the skin-renewing benefits of prescription retinoic acid without irritating skin. A derivative of vitamin A, Granactive Retinoid stimulates skin cell proliferation and turnover and reduces the breakdown of collagen, making it a powerful solution for premature aging, acne, and sun damage.
What it targets:
- Premature aging
- Acne
- Sun damage
Why it’s a summer pick:
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles caused or aggravated by sun damage
- Sheds dead skin cells, which can accumulate on humid days and lead to breakouts
- Fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation
How to use:
- Apply one pump to cleansed skin in the evening
- Massage gently all over the face, avoiding the eye area
- Use nightly, but limit it to three times a week if you are sensitive to the formulation, and then gradually increase until your skin acclimates
- Follow with moisturizer if required, like Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
7. Spectrum
It may not be obvious, but one of the best ways to protect your skin from sun damage is from the inside. The Spectrum supplement combines plant-based antioxidants and key vitamins into one convenient capsule to help fortify and protect optimal skin health. It not only shields the skin against sun damage and skin cancer, but it also supports skin renewal with ingredients like nicotinamide, Polypodium Leucotomos (PL) Extract, and vitamin D.
What it targets:
- Sun damage
- Premature aging
- Photodamage
Why it’s a summer pick:
- The supplement is a convenient way to support healthy skin from the inside
- Provides an extra layer of protection from sun damage and premature aging when combined with SPF
How to use:
- Take two capsules daily with 8oz of water
- Always use with SPF
8. Under Eye Cream
The delicate skin around our eyes is especially vulnerable to sun damage. Wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes are some of the first signs of aging and UV rays can cause damage to the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, leading to sagging and thinner skin. In addition to wearing sunglasses, you should invest in an eye cream that hydrates and nourishes skin without irritation. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the best ingredients to consider for this delicate area include antioxidants like vitamin C and E to protect against environmental damage, retinol to stimulate collagen, hyaluronic acid to moisturize and plump skin, niacinamide to protect against discoloration, and sunscreen with a high SPF.3
What it targets:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dark circles
- Sagging
Why it’s a summer pick:
- Protects skin that is extra sensitive to sun damage
- Stimulates collagen broken down by harmful UV rays, which are most intense in the summer
- Counteracts the effects of squinting and other facial expressions you’re likely to make in response to the sun
How to use:
- Apply after cleansing but before sunscreen
- Use a gentle touch and lightly dab around eyes
- Avoid pulling or tugging at skin
The summer months call for many opportunities to enjoy the sunshine, from beach outings to picnics in the park, but don’t let the summer fun compromise your skin. With the right products, sun damage is preventable and, in some cases, reversible.
Learn more skincare tips for this summer and through the rest of the year in the FS Journal.
