With the arrival of summer, the half-fig half-grape temperatures of spring give way to warmer and more humid air. “This season exposes the skin to temperature fluctuations (very hot outside vs. indoor air conditioning) and to increased sweating”, explains Charlotte Mavet, European Marketing Manager of the RoC cosmetics brand. Depending on the type of skin, the epidermis can then change in texture. “In summer, the skin will tend to be slightly oilier than usual,” adds Camille Vessière, Skincare Expert at the Fresh corner of Le Bon Marché.
It is therefore essential toadjust your beauty routine so that the skin adapts more easily to this new season. Dry, oily to combination, reactive skin… We take stock of the actions to adopt in summer according to each skin problem.
Cleansing is a key step to displaying healthy, glowing skin on a daily basis. In summer, cleaning your skin well every evening is all the more important as many impurities accumulate on the epidermis during the day: sebum, perspiration, dust, sun filters.… “Whatever the skin type, the skin Cleaning is essential to drive out all these particles that can alter the skin’s ability to protect itself against external aggressions (sun, wind, salt, chlorine, etc.), says Charlotte Mavet.
To clear skin, exfoliation is an interesting additional ritual to perform once a week or every two weeks depending on the type of skin. “It cleanses the epidermis in depth and thus facilitates the absorption of the active products contained in the rest of the skincare routine”, explains Camille Vessière. Bonuses in summer: by eliminating dead skin, exfoliation also makes it possible to display a more even tan and an unified complexion. However, it should not be abused! Exfoliation should always be used sparingly. Moreover, chemical exfoliants, generally recommended the rest of the year, should be handled with care in summer. “They mainly contain AHAs (fruit acids) which can be photosensitizing and cause pigment spots to appear”, emphasizes Camille Vessière. To avoid taking any risks, it is better to favor gentle and non-abrasive mechanical scrubs during the sunny period.
Like every season, exfoliation should always be followed by a good dose of hydration : a minimum cream and a moisturizing mask to apply for several minutes if the schedule allows. “Moisturizing masks are the key to keeping the skin healthy in summer, assures Camille Vessière. They allow both to restore the hydration lost during the day but also to soothe skin dried out by the sun.”
On dry skin, avoid foaming cleansers which tend to eliminate protective lipids from the skin barrier and prefer cleansing oil followed by a micellar water with soothing and softening properties. We think of rinsing it with a spray of thermal water to rehydrate the epidermis. On the scrub side, we choose a product enriched with nourishing active ingredients that we apply with the fingertips by performing small, very delicate massages. Don’t forget to finish with a good dose of hydration.
Combination to oily skin will opt for a purifying cleansing gel that cleanses and hydrates the epidermis, while limiting the overproduction of sebum. It is better to avoid formulas containing alcohol which can attack the epidermis and encourage the sebaceous glands to intensify their activity. Regarding the scrub, we forget the coarse-grained products and we do not deprive ourselves of the benefits of a moisturizing mask. We simply zap the cream or oil textures, too heavy and nourishing for the summer, in favor of a gel texture.
If you have reactive skin, clean it with gentle, low-foaming products specially formulated for sensitive skin, containing soothing active ingredients such as rose water, aloe vera or cornflower. If the epidermis tolerates it, a very gentle scrub can be done every two weeks. To be systematically followed by a shot of hydration to soothe the skin and avoid redness, which is all the more frequent during the summer.
We know that hydration is the prerequisite beautiful skin in all seasons. “Hot summer temperatures can cause the skin to produce more fat, more sweat. Combined with humid temperatures, this can help clog pores and promote the appearance of pimples,” explains Charlotte Mavet. “It is therefore essential to identify the right moisturizer that best meets the needs of your skin. In general, a moisturizer for the summer must be light, non-comedogenic and contain a high concentration of moisturizing agents capable of retain water (like hyaluronic acid) It must also offer a sun protection SPF30.”
Indeed, UV rays accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. Whatever the type of skin, it is therefore essential to choose a moisturizer capable of properly protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. It is also worth choosing a treatment with antioxidant ingredients to help prevent and repair UV-induced cell damage such as pigment spots. But be careful, never overly powerful active ingredients such as vitamin A derivatives which could make the skin even more sensitive to the sun! Instead, vitamin C is preferred, which is very good for the skin in summer.
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In the event of repeated or prolonged exposure, swap your day cream for sunscreen, making sure to always apply an ultra-fluid serum beforehand to ensure that the skin does not lack hydration. Some face sunscreen products now offer complementary care benefits, particularly targeted at anti-aging issues. Finally, we also think of pampering the parts of the face that are particularly sensitive and vulnerable to external aggressions, such as the eye contour and the lips, with specific treatments. These targeted products are applied before the moisturizer.
Another important point, for all skin types: the hydration of the epidermis also passes through the water that we drink. In summer, it’s a minimum of two liters per day to compensate for water loss linked to heat and perspiration.
If you have dry skin, you can allow yourself lighter textures during the day and a little richer in the evening. Once a week, we say yes to nourishing night masks to fill the lipid deficiencies in my skin.
Combination to oily skin? Above all, we do not ignore hydration on the pretext that it can make our face shine.. On the contrary, we continue to moisturize the skin daily by favoring lighter, more fluid and more refreshing gel textures. During the day, we choose a mattifying formula that we switch in the evening to a treatment treatment to regulate and rebalance the epidermis.
Finally, for reactive skin, light moisturizing products formulated with soothing active ingredients are recommended to moisturize while avoiding redness. If the texture is suitable for the summer weather, we continue to use the care we are used to using, to avoid any bad reaction. In the evening, we soothe as much as possible with a richer repairing treatment.
Which face sun protection to choose according to your skin type?
Ideally, sun protection should be part of everyday life, in summer as well as in winter. If during the cold season, an SPF15 to SPF30 may be sufficient, it becomes mandatory to opt for a minimum SPF30 when summer arrives.
Even in town, remember that the application of sun care must be renewed regularly. “For a person who only travels to do a few errands at the start and end of the day, two applications per day are enough”, says Charlotte Mavet. “On the other hand, for a person who travels several times during the day, for example by bicycle, with direct sun exposure, the application of sun protection care must be repeated several times a day.”
At the water’s edge, it is advisable to opt for a maximum protection index during the first exposures (SPF50 or SPF30 according to the phototype). We can then gradually lower the protection factor if, and only if, the skin reacts well (no sunburn or severe skin dryness).
Let us also remember, the type of skin is not the only criterion to take into account when choosing your face sunscreen. Phototype (skin color), place of life (is it very sunny?) and daily activities (am I more indoors or outdoors?) are also essential parameters. Very light skin that is exposed to the sun will of course have to choose a maximum protection index. On the contrary, a black skin living in a sunny region may choose a lower protection index.
And after the exhibition? Rehydrate your skin with after-sun care repairers. “Do not hesitate to apply these treatments in a thick layer like a mask on the redder areas, to properly rehydrate thirsty skin”, advises Charlotte Mavet.
Dry skin: choose a creamy or milky formula to keep the skin as supple and soft as possible throughout the summer.
Combination to oily skin: we forget the idea that exposing yourself to the sun for a long time reduces pimples and we keep in mind thatin the long term, the sun aggravates imperfections. We opt for sun protection with a light texture such as a fluid or a mist.
Reactive skin: avoid prolonged exposure as much as possible and choose a special sunscreen for sensitive and reactive skin, fragrance-free and with a minimum of ingredients.
Many thanks to Charlotte Mavet, European Marketing Manager of the RoC cosmetics brand and Camille Vessière, Skincare Expert at the Fresh corner of Le Bon Marché.
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