Summer Skin Care Routine

Summer Skin Care Routine is an easy way to maintain healthy and protected skin and hair all summer long. Summertime calls for all things outdoors! From the beach picnics to backyard barbecues, there are so many reasons to spend time outside during the summer. With warm weather and outdoor activities comes the need for a proper skincare routine and healthy habits that will protect your skin from the sun.

Growing up in Southern California, I've spent countless hours in the sunshine. Thankfully, I developed healthy habits that protect my skin from harmful UV rays. Here are some of my favorite ways to keep my skin and hair safe from the sun.

Save Your Skin and Hair with a Summer Skin Care Routine

Sunscreen is necessary for everyday life. Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is a life-long habit and is absolutely necessary to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. I wear sunscreen every single day, even if it's just to walk Paisley and Peeps. Clean sunscreen products protect your skin from cancer-causing rays and prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles.

It's easy to incorporate sunscreen and sun protection in your daily routine when you have products that work and feel good.

Sunscreen and CC Cream for Your Face and Body for Your Summer Skin Care Routine

Sunscreen can often be greasy, which is why a lot of people avoid it. As an avid sunscreen user, I've found some great options that balance efficacy and comfort. These products also do not have that classic "sunscreen smell" that stays with you all day.

When it comes to sunscreens, there are three main ones I use on a regular basis: body sunscreen, face sunscreen, and CC cream. Here is a breakdown of the different ones I recommend.

Fool-Proof Body Sunscreen

Body sunscreen isn't just for a beach day! Wearing sunscreen on your body prevents sun spots, wrinkles, and sun damage. Applying sunscreen to the back of your hands and arms before you drive can also prevent wrinkles. Whenever I go for a run outside or head out to the farmers market, I make sure to put sunscreen on my legs and arms. Supergoop! Forever Young Body Butter with Sea Buckthorn SPF 40 PA+++, Sol De Janeiro My Sol Stick SPF 50, and COOLA Classic Body Organic Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Fragrance-Free are all great options for everyday wear. If you need something a little more substantial for a long outdoor activity, such as for a long hike or beach day, opt for a sunscreen with SPF 50+, such as Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ For Face/Body or COOLA Classic Body SPF 50- Guava Mango.

Everyday, Non-Greasy Face Sunscreen

Some of my favorite everyday, non-greasy face sunscreens include Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum Face Sunscreen SPF 42, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, and Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen. These sunscreens offer significant protection and do not make me feel oily. I use them on my face, neck, and chest for everyday use, from running a quick errand to going for a run.

Light and Airy CC Cream

In addition to standard SPF for your face, there is also CC cream, which acts as a moisturizer, primer, foundation, and SPF. Whenever I wear makeup, I use CC cream as my base. My go-to CC cream is Supergoop! CC Cream Daily Correct Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen. It is 100% mineral-based and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles while preventing them! It's made with apple extract to brighten your skin, red seaweed to protect your skin against free radicals, and sodium hyaluronate to preserve the hydration in your skin.

Some other clean CC creams include Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective with Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer, COOLA Rōsilliance™ Organic BB+ Cream SPF 30, and ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40.

Protect Your Eyes with Sunglasses

The skin around your eyes is much thinner than the rest of the skin on your face, and therefore, is much more sensitive to sun exposure. In addition to wearing sunscreen and/or a CC cream, opt for a cute pair of sunglasses to shield your skin from the sun.

When it comes to sunglasses, there is a pair for any occasion and face shape. I love a classic aviator for a casual day or a pair of large-framed glasses for a chic look.

Protect Your Hair and Scalp with Hats

Hats are a fun and stylish way to protect your face and hair from the sun. Sun hats look great with summer outfits, like sundresses and bathing suits. You can even wear a cute, lightweight hat when running, playing tennis, or golfing.

After-Sun Summer Skin Care Routine

After-sun skincare is just as important as sunscreen. Whenever I spend time in the sun, I make sure to properly cleanse and hydrate my skin with some clean skincare products. Some of my favorite clean skincare brands include Fresh, Drunk Elephant, Biossance, Honest Beauty, and Caudalie. These brands' products are made without sulfates, phthalates, and harmful chemicals, so your skin is nourished and treated with safe ingredients.

These easy steps will make your skin feel like new again:

1. CLEANSER - First, cleanse your skin. Cleansing your skin removes any dirt, oil, sunscreen, and makeup from your skin. I recommend a gentle cleanser, such as Fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash.
2. TONER - Then, tone your skin with a gentle toner. Toners balance the pH of your skin, remove any excess acne-causing bacteria in your pores, and controls acne. I recommend an alcohol-free, hydrating toner, like Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner.
3. SERUM - After you cleanse and tone, use a serum to hydrate your skin. Serums lock in moisture and penetrate your skin for deep hydration. Some of my favorite serums include The Ordinary "Buffet", Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum, Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum, Fresh Vitamin Nectar Glow Juice Antioxidant Face Serum.
4. EYE CREAM - Once your serum is applied, use your ring finger to gently apply eye cream under and around your eyes. As mentioned earlier, the skin around your eye is very thin and prone to fine lines and wrinkles. Eye cream is an essential product to prevent aging and replenish moisture. I use Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream and Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb, both of which are ultra-moisturizing, even in the California heat.
5. MOISTURIZER - Finally, apply a moisturizer to your face, neck, and chest.
   • DAYTIME - If it's still daytime, opt for an everyday moisturizer, such as Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer (Alec's personal favorite), Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Moisturizer with Niacinamide, and Fresh Lotus Anti- Aging Daily Moisturizer.
   • NIGHTTIME - If it's nighttime and you're getting ready for bed, reach for a night cream. Some non-greasy, highly-moisturizing night creams include Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Overnight Cream, Fresh Lotus Anti-Aging Night Moisturizer, and Belif Peat Miracle Revital Cream.

If your hair feels damaged and dry after being in the sun and ocean water, try a hydrating conditioning treatment. My go-to hair mask is Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, which I use once a week to replenish moisture and prevent split ends.

Summer Skin Care Routine for Men

While men can definitely use the above routine, they may want to opt for something geared more toward men. I recommend MANTL, a men's skincare line and community focused on men's confidence. All of their products are sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, and are made without synthetic fragrance and synthetic dyes. Here are MANTL's products, which can be used on your body, face, and scalp:

• Cleanser
• Invisible Daily SPF 30
• Age Defense Moisturizer
• No-Shine Sheets
• The Complete Routine

How to Treat a Minor Sun Burn

Everyone has experienced a sunburn. I have definitely missed a spot on my legs before and gotten burned, but luckily, the redness is treatable with some effective, soothing products. Whatever you do, do not peel your skin! Just let it shed naturally so you don't scar.

Whenever I get a little too much sun, I opt for a cooling aloe vera gel or lotion that contains aloe vera and lavender. Aloe vera and lavender are naturally soothing ingredients that calm and hydrate the irritated skin. When it comes to aloe vera, I opt for the large bottle at Trader Joe's. It's under $5 and you can reapply it throughout the day. Some other options include COOLA ER+ Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion, a sulfate-free lotion that contains aloe vera, lavender oil, and other essential oils that rejuvenate your skin. Another option is Korres Greek Yoghurt Calming + Cooling Gel, which gives a cooling sensation when applied.

If you're more severely burned, contact your doctor or dermatologist.

Hydrate from the Inside Out

One of my favorite ways to keep my skin clear and healthy in the summertime is by drinking a lot of water, making healthy smoothies and juices, and minimizing drinks and foods that are high in sugar. During the summer, your body dehydrates more easily, so replenishing liquids and nutrients is essential for your skin.

Drinking water throughout the day keeps your body hydrated and rids your system of toxins. When I'm on the go, I fill my Yeti water bottle with ice water. It stays cold and is small enough to fit in my work bag. When I'm at home, I'll often fill a pitcher with ice water and sliced lemon or even make a batch of iced tea in my Hario Tea Brewer.

When I want something nourishing and flavorful, I make a batch of Clear Skin Smoothie or Immune Booster Juice. Both recipes are loaded with vitamin-rich fruits and greens that hydrate your body from the inside out.

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If you liked learning about my Summer Skin Care Routine or have any questions, comment below! I'd love to hear what products you use to take care of your skin.

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