Summer Skincare

Rather than seeing skincare as something fixed all year round, our skin is constantly responding to its surroundings. Temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, air conditioning, salt water, chlorine, perspiration, travel and changes in routine all influence how the skin behaves. What feels comforting and protective in January can feel unnecessarily heavy in July, while products that seem perfect during a heatwave may leave skin feeling exposed and depleted once autumn returns.

One of the reasons summer skin often looks healthier is that increased humidity can reduce transepidermal water loss, or TEWL. In simple terms, skin tends to hold on to moisture a little better when there is more water in the air. Blood vessels dilate in warmer temperatures, circulation can appear improved and many of us spend more time outdoors, sleep slightly differently and consume more water-rich foods. However, summer also introduces its own challenges.

Ultraviolet radiation remains one of the most significant contributors to premature skin ageing. Researchers estimate that much of what we think of as visible ageing – uneven pigmentation, fine lines, loss of elasticity and roughness – is influenced by cumulative UV exposure. This doesn’t mean avoiding the sun entirely. Sunlight has benefits too, including supporting circadian rhythms and vitamin D synthesis, but it does mean respecting it. A broad-spectrum SPF remains one of the most evidence-based additions to any skincare routine and becomes particularly important if you’re using exfoliating acids, retinoids or spending long periods outside.

Summer also changes oil production. Sebaceous glands can become more active in warmer weather, meaning skin that feels comfortable and balanced in winter may suddenly appear shinier or more congested. This is often where people make a mistake. They start stripping the skin with stronger cleansers, harsher exfoliants and mattifying products. Initially, the skin may look less oily, but repeated stripping can disturb barrier function and leave the skin feeling simultaneously oily and dehydrated.

This is where lighter oils can work surprisingly well. Oils are often unfairly blamed for congestion, but many plant oils simply help support the skin’s barrier and reduce unnecessary moisture loss. The key is choosing formulations that feel appropriate for the season. Superfruit Radiance Oil, for example, contains fruit-derived oils such as cloudberry, raspberry, strawberry, kiwi, pomegranate and sea buckthorn alongside steam-distilled lemon oil. It feels lighter than a heavy balm, absorbs relatively quickly and provides antioxidants that help support the skin against environmental stressors.

Blue Alchemy also comes into its own during summer evenings. After a day spent outdoors, in air conditioning, or exposed to heat and UV radiation, a simple evening routine can help the skin feel more comfortable. Blue tansy, helichrysum and bakuchiol sit within a lipid-rich base designed to support the skin rather than aggressively push it into renewal. Summer is often a season where less becomes more.

Of course, summer skin extends beyond the face. Chlorinated pools, sea salt, frequent shaving and sandals can all leave skin feeling drier than expected. A lightweight body oil can help restore softness after bathing or swimming without feeling overly occlusive in warmer weather. Lips also deserve a little attention. Wind, sun exposure and dehydration can quickly lead to discomfort, making products such as Snowberry Balm or Cocoa Berry useful companions for days spent outdoors.

There are other summer habits worth considering too. Prolific use of sunscreen can clog the pores, dry the skin or even cause peculiar reactions. Towels used at the beach often stay damp for hours. Reusing sweaty gym clothing, sleeping on pillowcases coated in sunscreen and repeatedly washing the skin with foaming products can all contribute to irritation. Sometimes summer skincare isn’t really about adding products at all. It’s about being a little kinder to the skin that’s already working hard to protect us.

Perhaps the biggest shift summer invites is moving away from the idea that skincare should remain static throughout the year. Skin is not a machine. It responds, adapts and compensates. Some summers we need less. Some summers we need more support. Most summers, we simply need to listen to what our skin is telling us rather than what trends insist we should be doing.

At Heior, we tend to favour this more responsive approach. Support the barrier. Protect where necessary. Simplify where possible. And remember that healthy skin rarely comes from fighting it. More often, it comes from understanding that skin in July behaves rather differently from skin in January, and allowing it the freedom to do what it was designed to do.