Expert derm tips for summer

Our approach to the sun has evolved. Modern "smart tanning" isn't about fighting wrinkles after the damage is done – it’s about preserving your skin’s vitality and longevity. Think of your daily SPF as an investment bank for your future skin health.

By Rituals | 2 June 2021 | 5 min read

Love the Sun and Your Skin: Expert Tips for the Summer

THE NEW RULES OF SMART TANNING

When temperatures rise, skinimalism is key. You don’t need a complex 6-step routine. By stripping away unnecessary layers, you let your skin breathe while maximizing your results.

1. The Skinimalist Summer Routine

In hot and humid weather, heavy layers lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and breakouts. Facialist Tarryn Warren advises lightening up your routine: "When it’s warmer, our pores are open, we sweat, and we produce more natural oil. You don’t need a heavy moisturiser."

The 3-Step Morning Routine: Keep it to the absolute essentials – cleanse with a gentle face wash, hydrate with a lightweight serum, and protect.
Invisible Protection: Look for high-performing SPF that feels like absolutely nothing on the skin. Your daily shield should offer broad-spectrum protection without grease or a white cast.
The Evening Reset: SPF is designed to cling to your skin. Cleanse as soon as you get home to let your pores push out impurities. Always double-cleanse in the evening to thoroughly remove stubborn sunscreen, sweat, and pollution.

2. Summer Slow Routines & Micro-Pauses

A summer routine doesn't have to be time-consuming to feel intentional. You can easily turn your daily skincare steps into restorative micro-moments of pause throughout busy days:

The 60-Second Cool-Down: Keep a hydrating face mist or toner in the fridge. A quick, chilled spritz mid-day acts as a cooling sensory reset for both your skin and your mind.
A Light Abhyanga (Self-Massage): Take two minutes after a cool shower to massage a lightweight body oil into damp skin. This simplified traditional routine locks in moisture and calms the nervous system.
A One-Minute Breathing Reset: While applying your face cream, take three slow, deep breaths.

3. Sunscreen: Facts vs. Fiction

Broad-Spectrum is Non-Negotiable: Ensure your sunscreen filters both UVB (causes sunburn) and UVA (causes premature ageing). Both contribute to skin cancer, which is why broad-spectrum protection is vital.
Don't Skip Overcast Days: Harmful UV rays pass straight through clouds. Use a face cream with SPF daily, regardless of the weather.
SPF 30 vs. SPF 50: The difference is smaller than you think. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%. Don't let a higher number trick you into skipping reapplication – you still need to apply it just as often.
How to Apply: Give sunscreen 20 minutes to absorb before going outside. Use a generous amount (about a shot glass full for your body) and reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

4. Quick Summer Skin Fixes

Defeat Dehydration: "Hyaluronic acid should be your number one ingredient in summer," says Warren. It plumps and hydrates without causing sun sensitivity. Try a 5-minute bio-cellulose Hydrating Sheet Mask to instantly restore a dewy glow.
Avoid Prickly Heat: Prickly heat happens when sweat gets trapped in blocked pores. Consultant Dermatologist Dr. Alexis Granite recommends wearing loose, breathable clothing, staying in the shade, and taking cool showers.
Boost Your Internal Shield: What you eat matters. Incorporating foods rich in beta-carotene and lycopene (like carrots and cooked tomatoes) helps strengthen your skin's natural barrier against UV damage.
Postpone Pigmentation Treatments: If you have sun spots, wait until the sunnier seasons have passed to treat them. Dr. Granite notes that laser or peel treatments are safer once your underlying summer tan has faded, minimising the risk of skin burning.