SUMMERTIME SKINCARE SWAPS

Now that summer has officially arrived, we’re back with some seasonal skincare tips that will ensure you survive the season as a sun-safe, golden goddess and not a red and sweaty Betty.

- SARAH DZIEDZIC

How many women can say they audit their cosmetic cabinet once a year? Making room for more effective ingredients in the summer is akin to stowing away your winter coat and boots. Sure, you could still wear them, but wouldn’t you be more comfortable in something that’s weather appropriate? Not only that, but many of your cosmetic products have expirations dates ranging anywhere from three to 30 months, meaning now is as good a time as any to reassess your stockpile.

While many people find their skin is generally more tolerable in the summer months, for the vast majority of us, the heat brings about a confusing mix of simultaneous dryness and oiliness alongside melting makeup and a dash of spontaneous breakouts. Not my idea of summer fun.

The quick science behind most of these skincare issues boils down to the fact that heat and humidity increases oil production from the sebaceous glands which leads to, you guessed it, clogged pores. While your sebaceous glands have good and noble intent behind this action—which is to cool you down—it’s a huge problem for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin. At the same time, you’ll also be dealing with salt water, chlorine, and the sun, all of which contribute to dryness. Thankfully, we have a few recommended product swaps and some extra precautions for you to follow in order to strike that summer-skincare balance.

For this time of year, your skincare checklist should include: removing any heavy oils from your current lineup, incorporating a toner, getting into gel-based cleansers and moisturizers, upping your sun protection, and finally, rethinking your retinol use.