Six Summer Skincare Essentials For Your Routine
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The summer months place your skin in a sunlit spotlight, but they also bring humid heat, UV exposure and dehydration into the mix. That’s why we’ve reworked your routine step by step, spotlighting ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to keep pores clear, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C for a daily glow-up. So, whether you're beach-bound or navigating a city heatwave, these summer skincare essentials will keep your complexion cool, calm and radiant all season long.
The Best Summer Skincare Essentials for Every Step of Your Routine
INKEY
Cream-to-Milk Cleanser, £13.00
Step 1: Cleanse
Sweat, pollution, sunscreen: meet summer's trifecta for clogged pores. Thorough cleansing is more essential than ever, but harsh formulas can leave your skin feeling tight and dehydrated. Enter INKEY Cream-to-Milk Cleanser, powered by softening rice milk and hydration hero hyaluronic acid. The gentle formula purifies and balances the skin without disturbing your moisture barrier. Skin is left soft, calm and summer-ready.
Caudalie
Grape Water, £10.00
Step 2: Hydrate
Your skin's calling for a summer spritz, and we're not talking Aperol. A facial essence or mist is the ultimate addition to your warm-weather skincare routine, delivering an instant hit of hydration and soothing relief when your skin needs it most. This formula is packed with prebiotic grape extracts, minerals, and antioxidants to rebalance, calm irritation, and boost moisture levels in one hit. The cooling sensation offers a refreshing bonus, especially on hot, humid days.
Sarah Chapman
Vitamin C Power 2, £115.00
Step 3: Brighten
Vitamin C products are powerhouses for summer skin, especially when you're chasing a glow. This serum combines both water-soluble and oil-soluble forms of vitamin C for optimal absorption and maximum impact. It's designed to even out skin tone, dial down dark spots, work with your SPF to shield against sun damage and restore radiance with a filter-like finish. With added niacinamide and tranexamic acid to supercharge the brightening effect, this is your summer glow-up in a bottle.
Mimétique
Skin Restore Crème Visage, £66.00
Step 4: Moisturise
In summer, your moisturiser should allow your skin to breathe while doing its all-important job of adding moisture and strengthening the skin's barrier. Mimétique’s moisturiser utilises a skin-mimicking SMR-C5 complex, which blends five naturally occurring skin ingredients for optimal absorption and results. Hyaluronic acid delivers deep hydration, while glycine soja and artemisia abrotanum work to firm, smooth and restore your glow. The fragrance-free, creamy texture is lightweight yet nourishing. It’s the kind of moisturiser your skin knows exactly what to do with.
Supergoop!
Glowscreen Sunrise SPF 30, £44.00
Step 5: Protect
No summer routine is complete without SPF, and Supergoop! Supergoop! are known for going above and beyond the standard checklist. This particular formula is a favourite at Space NK, offering broad-spectrum protection against UV rays and blue light. It uses hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and sea lavender to hydrate, soothe and boost luminosity. Plus, an ultra-subtle tint gifts the ultimate summer hue (sans sun damage). Worn alone or as a primer under makeup, it is the SPF you'll look forward to applying.
Mario Badescu
Acai & Vanilla Lip Balm, £8.00
Step 6: Finishing touch
Summer sun, salty air, and dry heat can take a toll on your lips, so finishing your routine with a hydrating balm is more than just for aesthetics. This formula combines cooling aloe vera with shielding vitamin E, cocoa, and shea butter for a silky, non-sticky finish. And what better flavour for summer than acai and vanilla, which double as your favourite ice cream?
Frequently asked questions about summer skincare
What happens to your skin in the summer?
Summer exposes your skin to higher levels of UV, heat, and humidity, which can lead to increased oil production, dehydration and sensitivities from the sun. Plus, increased SPF use can clog pores if you aren’t cleansing properly. You may notice more shine, breakouts, or uneven skin tone, so adjusting your routine to focus on lightweight hydration, skin barrier support, and sun protection is key.
Should you change your skincare in summer?
Yes, your skin's needs shift with the seasons, and summer calls for different ingredients and textures. SPF becomes even more essential, and incorporating ingredients like brightening vitamin C, soothing niacinamide, and hydrating hyaluronic acid can work wonders on your complexion. In humid weather, heavy creams can overwhelm the skin, so it's best to switch to lightweight formulas, such as gel moisturisers and hydrating mists, to keep your skin balanced.
Which skincare products is best for skin in the summer?
The best summer skincare products are ones that hydrate, protect and let your skin breathe. Think gentle cleansers, vitamin C serums, lightweight moisturisers and broad-spectrum SPF. Facial mists, essences and gel-textured creams are ideal for keeping skin fresh without clogging pores, while ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and antioxidants help your skin stay calm, glowy and resilient in the heat.
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