Summer Skin Care Tips | Best Products for Glowing Skin

Posted by Invity team on 18th May 2025

A Summer Skin Care Routine to Protect Your Skin

The cold winter is over, the flowers are beginning to bloom and the excitement (or dread) for summer weather is starting to build.

Summer brings long, sunny days, beach outings and outdoor activities, but the increased heat, humidity and intense UV rays can take a toll on your skin. Not to mention the thick creams you were using are now too greasy and thick on your skin.

To make sure your skin stays healthy, glowing and protected, a summer-specific skincare routine can be so important, so we’ve written a guide to summer skin care to make sure you’ve got everything covered.

How Does Summer Affect Your Skin?

The sun's position changes with the seasons1. In winter, the sun is lower and its rays go through more atmosphere, reducing UV levels, while in summer, it's higher in the sky, so UV rays pass through less atmosphere and are stronger. This increases the risk of:

Sunburns and Sun Damage: Prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage skin cells, leading to premature ageing and increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Oiliness and Breakouts: The heat triggers sweat production, which, when mixed with oil and debris, can clog pores and cause acne. If you have adult acne, learn about some of the causes.
Dehydration: High temperatures can cause the skin to lose moisture, leading to dryness or dullness. Learn about the difference between dehydration and dry skin.

Understanding these effects can help tailor your routine to address summer-specific challenges.

Key Summer Skin Care Tips

Before giving you answers for what products to use, here are some tips for how to take good care of your skin in summer:

Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable

Use a broad-spectrum (meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen with at least SPF 30 — daily use of SPF 15 can lower your risk of developing melanoma by 50 per cent2. The Youth Activating Invisible Mineral Sunscreen is lightweight and broad-spectrum.
Reapply your sunscreen every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming.
You can also get skin cancer on your lips so make sure to use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher.
Try lightweight or gel-based sunscreens to avoid the greasy feeling.

Switch to Lightweight Products

Swap heavy moisturisers for lighter, gel-based or water-based options.
Look for non-comedogenic labels as this tells you that the product or ingredients won’t clog pores and cause acne.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water to replenish moisture lost through sweat.
Use hydrating serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerine.
Apply a facial mist throughout the day to keep your skin fresh.
The Youth Activating Essence is gentle and lightweight while giving you a surge of hydration.

Exfoliate Wisely

Use a daily gentle exfoliator like Youth Activating Cream Cleanser, or a gentle exfoliating serum like Youth Activating Exfoliating Serum once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells.
Avoid exfoliating if you have sunburn or sensitive skin.
Choose chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid to unclog pores without harsh scrubbing.

Combat Oil and Shine

Use mattifying products to control excess oil.
Blotting papers can help absorb sweat and oil without ruining your makeup.

Address Body Blemishes

One of the important body care tips in summer is to shower after sweating to prevent clogged pores.
Also, use body products with salicylic acid to treat and prevent breakouts.
Exfoliate areas prone to bumps and blemishes, like the back and shoulders.

Protect Your Skin Barrier

Use moisturisers with ceramides or niacinamide to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
Avoid over-washing your face; twice daily is enough for most skin types. Learn about other common skin care mistakes to avoid for better skin health.
You can also protect your skin barrier with a SuperNAD Youth Activating Facial Sheet Mask, which is hydrating and contains NAD to boost the skin’s cell defences.

Incorporate Antioxidants

Vitamin C serums can help protect skin from environmental stressors and boost sunscreen effectiveness.
Look for moisturisers or serums with green tea, niacinamide or resveratrol for added protection. The Youth Activating Retinoid Serum is a lightweight serum you can use in the summer.

Must-Have Products for Summer

While you don’t need to spend big on skin care, you need to make sure you’re buying the right ones. If you’re revamping your routine, here are some of the best summer beauty products to use:

Purifying Cleanser: The best face wash for the summer season is a gel-based cleanser with salicylic acid to clear pores and remove dirt.

Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Keeps skin hydrated without feeling heavy.

Lightweight Moisturiser: Look for non-comedogenic options with added SPF for extra sun protection.

Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Go for SPF 30 or 50 for maximum protection, especially for days you will be spending long periods outdoor. It’s likely you will use a different sunscreen for your face and body,

Mattifying Primer or Powder: Helps control shine and keep makeup in place.

After-Sun Gel: Aloe vera or calendula-based gels soothe sunburn and add moisture back to your skin.

Summer and Winter Skin Care Swaps

Skincare Element	Summer Routine	Winter Swap	Oily Skin Adjustment
Moisturiser	Lightweight moisturisers for hydration without heaviness	Richer formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerine and shea butter for deep hydration	Use oil-free rich moisturisers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to prevent dehydration without clogging pores.
Cleanser	Gel cleansers for a refreshing feel	Creamy cleansers with glycerine or ceramides to protect the skin’s natural barrier	Same recommendation as for normal skin.
Serums & Oils	Light serums for hydration	Nourishing oils like jojoba, rosehip or argan oil for deep nourishment	Use hyaluronic acid serums to retain moisture without increasing oiliness or triggering breakouts.
Exfoliant	Chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs) for smooth, bright skin	Gentle physical exfoliants to avoid dryness and irritation	Use a gentle exfoliant that doesn’t strip essential oils.
Sunscreen	Broad-spectrum SPF to protect from summer UV rays	Continue using SPF to shield from winter UV and prevent sensitivity from actives like retinoids	No change — SPF is needed year-round, especially for sun-sensitive or breakout-prone skin.

Lifestyle Tips for Taking Care of Skin in Summer

It’s not just about skin care; healthy and ageless skin comes from making a range of simple lifestyle choices, especially in the summer months. For example:

Wear Protective Clothing: Wide-brimmed hats, UV-blocking sunglasses and UPF-rated clothing for skin protection in summer to shield skin from harmful rays.
Look for Shade: Avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours (10am to 2pm).
Eat Hydrating Foods: Water-rich foods like watermelon, grapes, strawberries, cucumber, iceberg lettuce and coconut water can help keep skin hydrated from within.
Skip Hot Showers: Use lukewarm water to avoid drying out your skin.
Embrace Minimal Makeup: Let your skin breathe by reducing makeup layers; use tinted moisturisers with SPF for a natural look.

Protecting Your Skin During Summer

Your summer skin care routine doesn’t have to be complicated. By making small adjustments, like choosing lightweight products, reapplying sunscreen regularly and staying hydrated, you can protect your skin from the season’s challenges.

Whether you’re heading to the beach or enjoying a staycation, a well-thought-out routine and these tips for glowing skin in summer will have you looking your best for years to come.