Summer Skin Care Swaps

As the temperatures rise and the days are longer, it’s time to give your skincare routine a little seasonal refresh! Just like you wouldn’t wear a heavy sweater to the beach, your skin doesn’t need thick, heavy products in the summer heat. Warmer weather means more sweat, more oil production, and more time spent outdoors in the sun, which all impact how your skin behaves. Here are a few easy summer swaps to help your skin stay balanced, hydrated, and glowing all season long:

💧 Start with a Double Cleanse
If you’re not double cleansing yet, summer is the perfect time to start! With extra sunscreen, sweat, and makeup in the mix, one cleanse just isn’t enough. Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down sunscreen, excess oil, and impurities. Don’t worry, these oil cleansers are designed to emulsify, which means once you add water, they turn slightly milky or foamy and rinse away easily without leaving residue. Follow with your regular cleanser for skin that feels truly clean but never stripped. My picks? Arbonne DermResults Advanced Cleansing Balm or Cosmedix Purity Solution. These formulas are both gentle and super effective oil-based cleansers that will dissolve even the most stubborn makeup and sunscreen formulas.

💦 Switch to a Gel Cleanser
Ditch your thick, creamy cleanser and opt for a lightweight, hydrating gel formula instead. A properly formulated hydrating gel cleanser will help remove sweat, sunscreen, and excess oil without stripping your skin. Look for options with gentle ingredients like aloe, chamomile, or green tea. My top picks? Arbonne HydrateMe Foaming Gel Cleanser and Cosmedix Benefit Clean. These cleansers are a perfect summer skincare staple because they thoroughly clean your skin without stripping your skin of its natural oils, and they leave your face feeling refreshed and hydrated. Pro tip: both these cleansers are super concentrated so add water and lather in your hands before applying to your face.

🌬️ Lightweight Hydrators > Heavy Creams and Oils
Instead of thick oils and creams, layer on a refreshing hydrating mist like Cosmedix Benefit Balance Antioxidant Toner or a lightweight serum with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. This gives your skin the moisture it needs without suffocating your skin. You can even keep your mist in the fridge for an extra cooling boost, or try Arbonne’s new HerCore Essentials Cooling Mist which provides an instant cooling sensation.

🏊‍♀️ Show Your Skin Some TLC Post-Swim

A lot of people believe that chlorine makes acne better but did you know that chlorinated water strips skin of it’s natural oils, which can make your skin overproduce oil and actually lead to increased breakouts? The pool chemicals are also more basic than your skin’s pH so prolonged exposure can mess up your skin’s natural pH balance, resulting in even more breakouts or rashes. The best thing to do is to rinse off immediately after swimming and shower as soon as possible. If your skin feels dry and tight, don’t reach for Vaseline or a heavy moisturizer that will just sit on the surface of your skin. Instead, replenish your skin’s barrier with a recovery serum like Cosmedix CPR, which is full of vitamins and antioxidants to soothe and support dry skin. P.S. I hope you never get sunburned because you’re applying your sunscreen regularly but if you do ever get a burn, this serum is amazing for helping it heal quickly; this also applies to burns from heat styling tools!

☀️ SPF is Non-Negotiable
You should wear SPF year-round, but it’s especially important in the summer when the UV index is higher and more UVB rays aka the burning rays are present. Apply your sunscreen every morning and reapply at least every 2 hours if you're outdoors. If you’re not using a broad-spectrum, mineral-based formula, now is the time to ditch the chemical sunscreen and upgrade your routine! My clean sunscreen picks: Arbonne FunSun Mineral Sunscreen or Cosmedix Protect UV Spray. Regardless of which brand of sunscreen you pick, make sure it’s SPF 30 to 50; this is the sweet spot for SPF because they block 97-98% of all UVB rays. Bonus points: use a Vitamin C Serum, like Cosmedix Revert or Arbonne DermResults Glow Serum, before applying sunscreen to boost your SPF’s efficacy and help protect against free radicals!

🧼 Gently Exfoliate
With more sweat and sunscreen in the mix, and sometimes even chlorine, clogged pores can happen fast. Ditch the harsh scrubs and start gently removing dead skin cells with a daily exfoliating cleanser., which can help prevent breakouts and dullness. I recommend Cosmedix Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser as the second step of your nightly double cleanse routine; the lactic acid in the formula hydrates while it exfoliates, keeping skin smooth. The tea tree and peppermint essential oils have a slight cooling effect, making it extra refreshing on a hot, summer night. Pro tip: leave on your skin up to 5 minutes before rinsing to enhance the exfoliating benefits.

🍉 Stay Hydrated Inside & Out!
This isn’t a skin care swap but drinking plenty of water and electrolytes throughout the day, and reaching for water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, and leafy greens will do wonders for your skin. Your skin reflects what’s going on inside—hydration is key to that natural summer glow.

Small changes make a big impact! Making seasonal swaps in your skincare routine can help reduce congestion, balance oil production, and keep your skin clear and radiant, even on the hottest days. And as always, if you’re not sure which products are best for your skin this season, I’d love to chat via text or during your next visit to Skin Sanctuary!