Skincare Products Your Skin Needs
As we enter the summer season, our skin’s needs change due to higher temperatures, humidity levels and UV indexes which can have an effect on our complexion. For example, increased humidity can result in higher sebum production which can potentially lead to oilier skin, clogged pores and even breakouts.
As you start changing your attire to fit the new season and leave winter clothes behind, it is important to start making some adjustments and summer-proof your skin care routine too. As a rule of thumb, during the summer months, you should reach for lighter, gel or water-based skin care products.
Dr Adil Sarwar from Skin Science Clinic London came up with a list of summer skin care products that are an absolute must have for summer and should be part of any summer skin care routine, no matter the skin type or skin concerns.
SPF, SPF, SPF (Did we mention SPF?)
Sunscreen is the most important step in your skincare routine. While it is important to wear SPF all year round, it is crucial to never forget about it during summer.
UV rays will damage your skin leading to premature ageing, hyperpigmentation and melasma.
There are many options in the market, but we recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen to ensure you are protected against both UVB and UVA rays.
Try using a sunscreen with SPF50, especially during summer, for maximum protection, but SPF30 will be the next best option. Remember to apply sunscreen before your make-up, even if your make-up products contain SPF. It is also important to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, every two hours.
VITAMIN C
Where sunscreen protection ends, Vitamin C kicks in!
Vitamin C is a miracle worker. It is a highly powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, brightens protection, helps even out the skin tone and promotes collagen production.
Vitamin C and sunscreen are a dynamic duo and create the best skin care combination, working together to protect your skin, by significantly reducing UVB-induced erythema and sunburn.
Combining a Vitamin C serum with a broad-spectrum sunscreen has been proven to be more effective at neutralizing free radical damage to the skin than sunscreen alone.
While you can get Vitamin C in different products such as cleansers, toners or moisturisers, we recommend using it on its own to get the most benefits from it.
We recommend using Vitamin C in a serum form because it is more concentrated, and it tends to absorb quicker into the skin. Layering Vitamin C underneath the sunscreen every morning will increase your sunscreen’s efficiency in protecting your skin because Vitamin C will also fight free radical damage that you would potentially get from UV rays. Moreover, it will give your complexion a brightening, glowing effect.
L-ascorbic acid is the most common type of Vitamin C.
Unlike other Vitamin C compounds, L-ascorbic acid will provide the best results for the skin. It is, however, an unstable ingredient that begins to oxidise as soon as it comes into contact with air. L-ascorbic acid also is most potent in formulas with a low ph which can make it quite acidic and cause sensitivity to the skin. As a result, while there are numerous products containing L-ascorbic acid on the market, it's crucial to choose the right ones that are as stable as possible.
Dr Adil Sarwar from Skin Science Clinic selected his favourite Vitamin C serums on the market that are potent and safe to use for every skin type.
MOISTURISER
Moisturising is a typically a common step in the winter skincare routines when the temperatures drop, the weather gets colder and the skin is more prone to drying up. The summer heat can cause even the driest skin to become oily when sweat enters the pores. There is a common misconception that moisturiser and heat do not mix well, as it may cause the skin to get greasier. However, the increased temperatures in the summer heat can dehydrate your skin, so it's crucial to keep moisturising during summer as well.
Many people, especially those with oily skin, often wonder if they need to moisturise the summer months because the skin produces so much oil naturally. Even if you have oily skin, you should still use a moisturiser, as well as gentle cleansers and serums, in the hotter months of the year. It is possible that your skin gets oily during summer as a result of dehydration. To defend itself from drying out, your body will increase the production of sebum. Keeping your skin moisturised during summer, will keep the sebum production in check. Moreover, we may lose more fluids during summer so keeping the skin hydrated is just as important as rehydrating the body. One product that is ideal to use during summer due to its light weight formula and its ability of keeping moisture into the skin is a hyaluronic acid serum.
Dr Adil Sarwar selected a series of hydrating products that you should incorporate in your summer skincare routine to keep your skin moisturised during high temperatures.
We are here to help you create your summer skincare routine that it’s perfect for your skin. If you require advice, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of professionals, led by Dr Adil Sarwar of Skin Science Clinic London are here to help you make the best choice for your skin!