Ah, summer days are upon us. Who doesn't love a day lounging at the beach or the pool? Or spending an evening on the patio or your backyard, sharing time with friends and family? Whatever our favourite summer activities, we all hope for beautiful, glowing, sun-kissed skin. The fact is, though, that caring for our skin during the summer presents a few unique challenges, and you may need to make some tweaks to your skincare routine. In this post, we will talk about the importance of protecting your skin from the sun and the steps you can take to lighten up your skincare routine for the heavy summer months. Keep reading for the ultimate summer skincare guide and a few recommended products from Myuz Artistry!

1. SPF

We can't talk about summer skincare without mentioning SPF (sun protection factor) and the effects of the sun's rays on our skin. Too much sun can harm our skin, such as premature aging and dark spots. It can also be hazardous to our health, as it is a risk factor for skin cancer. (We should be wearing SPF outdoors, no matter the season, but this is especially true in the summer.) Many people are confused about what the number on an SPF sunblock means. SPF measures how much UV radiation (solar energy) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin compared to the amount needed on unprotected skin (no sunblock). Remember that this is a relative number and will depend on your skin type, time of day, day of the year, amount of sunscreen used, and how often it is reapplied.

There are three kinds of solar radiation - UVB rays, which affect the topmost layer of skin (epidermis). These UVA rays reach the layer underneath the epidermis (dermis), and infrared rays penetrate right down to the subcutaneous tissue. Without going into too much detail, all three types of rays will damage your skin in different ways when left unprotected, which is why a broad-spectrum mineral sunblock is so important. We can help protect our skin by wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and wide-brimmed hats and trying to avoid peak UV times (around 10 am - 2 pm). Now, we don't need to be afraid of the sun. The sun also gives us vitamin D, which is necessary for binding calcium in bone and secreting melatonin, which can improve our mood (this is why vitamin D is often called the "happy vitamin"). But we cannot express enough how important it is to protect our skin with an SPF, anytime you head outside this summer. Do not skip the sunscreen even if the day is overcast, as UV rays can still damage your skin, even on a cloudy day. Let this be it if you only do one thing for your skin this summer! Apply sunblock liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply a minimum of every 2 hours, more if you will be swimming or sweating.

Recommended products:

Eclipse SPF 50

PerfectTint Powder SPF 40

Elta MD

Lip Protection SPF 45 

Tizo SPF

2. Cleanser

You're (hopefully) already washing your face daily, but using the right cleanser is even more important in the sticky summertime when skin tends to be oilier than usual, and your pores can easily get clogged. Sweaty skin provides the perfect environment for breakouts, but overwashing can strip your face of the natural oils your skin needs to stay healthy. Finding the right balance between keeping clean and overdoing it can be tricky. Washing your face in the morning and before bed with a salicylic-acid-based cleanser or gentle antibacterial face wash will keep your skin fresh and clean without being too harsh for the summer. Consider switching to a foaming or gel cleanser that will be more lightweight. Try going a little lighter on the makeup on hot days to allow your skin to breathe, and always wash off your makeup before going to bed at night.

Recommended Products:

iS Clinical Cleansing Complex

Environ Botanical Infused Sebu-Wash Gel Cleanser

Lait U

Lait VIP 02

3. Lightweight Moisturizer

Winter's harsh winds and indoor heating may be gone, but sweating under the summer sun can dry your skin just as much. Consider swapping out your heavier cream for a lightweight moisturizer during the summer. A good hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated without leaving you feeling sticky and heavy.

Recommended products:

iS Clinical Moisturizing Complex

iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion 

iS Clinical Hydra Cool
Biologique Recherche Grand Milieseme

4. Antioxidant

More sunlight hitting your skin can exacerbate pigmentation problems such as melasma (dark spots). An antioxidant serum with vitamin C will help with discoloration and protect your skin from damage and premature skin aging due to the environmental stressors of summertime. Here's a tip - even your diet can affect your skin, and eating foods rich in vitamin C will also provide extra antioxidants.

Recommended Products:

iS Clinical Pro-Health Serum Advance+

iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+

5. Exfoliate

Remember to exfoliate! With the increased temperature and humidity, you'll need to exfoliate more often during the summer, about once or twice a week, depending on your skin type. Exfoliating removes dirt, sunscreen, sweat, oil, impurities, and dead skin cells that can clog your pores and leave your skin dull. It's best to exfoliate in the evening before bed, but if you do so earlier in the day, reapply your SPF before heading back outside. If you already have a sunburn, wait for your skin to heal before exfoliating so you don't irritate the skin further.  

Recommended Products:

Lotion P50T

Lotion P50 PIGM400

iS Clinical Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque

Now that you've perfected your skincare routine, you can go out and enjoy those sweet summer days! Do you still have questions about summertime skincare, or are you unsure which products will work best for your skin type? No worries! You can book a consultation with one of our experienced estheticians at Myuz Artistry. We can help create the perfect skincare routine for you and help answer your questions about our beauty products.