The Ultimate Summer Skincare Routine For Radiant And Glowing Skin

While busily packing away our fuzzy pullovers and weighted blankets as the cold nights change to sunny mornings, we often forget that our skincare routine needs an upgrade, too. The idea of changing our nearly-perfected winter regimen to suit the sweltering weather may seem unfair, but we must shield ourselves from the scorching rays to avoid skin damage.

Summers in India are not the most pleasant. The harsh sun and humid weather bring buckets of sweat and constant fatigue. Besides, the season doles out breakouts, tans, sun spots, and uneven skin tones even when we are indoors. So, if we want to keep our glow intact, we must follow some rules.

Whether you’re going on a brunch date with the squad or fighting your way through traffic to get to work, it is vital to have a consistent summer skincare routine to get that natural glow. Here are a few tips to help you sail through summer with that undeniable glow.

Wash Your Face, But Not Too Much

Our faces may feel sticky, sweaty, and grimy most of the time, but we shouldn’t wash them every time that happens—cleansing our faces twice a day is enough. Repeatedly washing your face may strip the skin of natural oils and leave behind dry, patchy skin. Use a gentle, lightweight cleanser to remove dirt and grime.

Use Light Makeup

Sweating through our makeup is not exactly the kind of look we want to go for, so heavy makeup is a definite no. Layer after layer of makeup prevents the skin from breathing and clogs pores. So, it’s best to swap your heavy foundations and creamy lipsticks with tinted moisturizers and lip balms. If you’re heading out during the day, use makeup with SPF.

Stay Hydrated

We all knew this was coming. Our bodies can get dehydrated pretty quickly in summer, so it’s essential to drink a lot of fluids to make up for it. In addition to drinking plenty of water and juices, try including water-rich foods like cucumber, tender coconut, watermelon, and lettuce in your diet.

Moisturize Daily

No, the layer of sweat on your skin cannot be your makeshift moisturizer for summer. Even if your skin feels greasy, moisturize your face after cleansing. Moisturizers protect the outer layer of the skin from damage due to chemicals and pollutants. Use a light, gel-based moisturizer if your skin is oily and a moisturizer with a thick consistency for dry skin.

Wear Sun-protective Clothing And Accessories

Besides using topical products, we must shelter our skin from the sun in other ways, too. Add a hat and a pair of sunglasses as accessories to your outfits. Choose light and loose fabrics like linen and cotton to avoid rashes.

Wear Sunscreen

To avoid tanning, sun spots, and painful sunburns, wear sunscreen. Experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of sunscreen on exposed skin—including lips, hands, feet, and behind the ears. Be generous when applying sunscreen, just a thin layer won’t do. Lather your face and neck with half a teaspoon of sunscreen, and use a full teaspoon for limbs. Reapply every couple of hours during the day.

Ideally, look for a sunscreen packed with natural ingredients and an SPF of at least 30. It’s even better if it lends a natural glow to the skin, like the Mamaearth Vitamin C Daily Glow Sunscreen, which has turmeric and vitamin C. If you keep up with skincare trends, you’ll know that vitamin C is a socially viral ingredient in active skincare. Studies show that using sunscreen with vitamin C shields the skin from sun damage and additional photodamage caused by ultraviolet light (1). In addition, it combats oxidative stress–which occurs when the skin is exposed to environmental aggressors and pollutants–and helps delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This antioxidant fights harmful free radicals that come in contact with the skin from various sources (2). Additionally, vitamin C helps with acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties that help regulate oil production within the skin.

According to a study from 2013, sunscreens can block only 55% of the free radicals produced by UV exposure. For optimal UV protection, it is vital to use sunscreen combined with a topical antioxidant. The application of 10% vitamin C showed a reduction of erythema induced by UVB by 52% and sunburn cell formation by 40-60% (3).

When sunscreen and vitamin C work together, their benefits multiply, which is why Mamaearth Vitamin C Daily Glow Sunscreen is the star product against sun exposure and damage. It not only protects you from UV exposure but also leaves you with radiant skin, so you get the best of both worlds!

In addition, turmeric helps protect and heal skin from sun damage while reviving its natural glow. With SPF 50 PA+++ for sun protection, this sunscreen formula is lightweight, non-sticky, and creamy in texture and doesn’t leave a white cast post-application.

Summer may be harsh, but it’s also a time to have fun in the sun. Before stepping out into the sun while humming to the tunes of “Aaj blue hai paani, paani, aur din bhi sunny, sunny,” get your skin summer ready with the ultimate skincare routine with Mamaearth.