Summer is a time for sun, sandy beaches, spritzers, and skincare disasters waiting to happen. While we’re out here chasing golden hour selfies and pretending not to sweat through our linen shirts, our skin is screaming in the background like, “Girl, did you forget I exist?”
As a beauty content creator who has road-tested everything from snail slime serums to SPF-infused mists that smell like vacation, trust me when I say: your summer skincare routine needs to work harder, not melt under pressure.
So before you pack your beach bag and run into the sun like you’re starring in your own indie summer rom-com, let’s talk about the 5 most common skincare sins you’re probably committing when the temperatures rise—and how to repent in style.
1. Mistake #1: Using the Same Skincare You Used in Winter (Big No-No!)
Let me put this delicately: if you’re using the same thick, rich, butter-cream moisturizer in July that you used in December, we need to talk.
Your skin’s needs change with the seasons. In winter, it’s all about survival—barrier repair, hydration, and protection against dry air. But summer? Honey, your skin is sweating, your pores are gasping for air, and that heavy cream is sitting on your face like a wool sweater at a beach party.
Why it’s a problem:
Heavy products in summer can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and that gross sticky feeling we all pretend isn’t happening while trying to look “dewy.”
The Fix:
Switch to lighter textures: think gel creams, hydrating serums, or emulsions. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe—hydrating but not heavy. Bonus points if your moisturizer has SPF (though we’ll talk about why that’s not enough in a minute).
Pro tip: If your face feels like it’s suffocating after applying your skincare, that’s your skin saying, “Girl, I can’t breathe!”
2. Mistake #2: Neglecting Sunscreen on Cloudy Days (Rookie Move)
You wouldn’t go into a boxing ring without gloves, right? Then why are you stepping outside without SPF?
I can already hear the excuses: “But it’s cloudy!” “I’m only out for five minutes!” “My foundation has SPF!”
All wrong. Try again.
Why it’s a problem:
UV rays don’t care about clouds. Up to 80% of them still reach your skin, even on overcast days. And that “SPF 15 in your makeup” is about as effective as wearing a helmet made of spaghetti in a bike crash.
The Fix:
Apply a dedicated sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every. single. day. Rain or shine. Choose a broad-spectrum formula that protects against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
Cloudy = sneaky sunburn danger zone
And don’t forget ears, neck, eyelids, and hands. Yes, even your eyelids. You’re welcome.
3. Mistake #3: Over-Exfoliating (A.K.A. Face Assault in Disguise)
Listen, I love a good scrub-down as much as the next person. But if you’re attacking your face daily with acids, scrubs, and that exfoliating glove you found on TikTok, you might be exfoliating your way into a damaged skin barrier.
Why it’s a problem:
In summer, your skin is already working overtime—sun, sweat, heat, and pollution make it more vulnerable. Over-exfoliating strips its natural protection and opens the door to irritation, redness, breakouts, and dehydration. Think: angry tomato skin.
The Fix:
Limit exfoliation to 2-3 times per week, tops. Use gentle chemical exfoliants (like lactic acid or mandelic acid) instead of harsh physical scrubs that feel like sandpaper. Your goal should be glowing, not glow-in-the-dark red.
If your skin stings when you apply serum, that’s not a glow-up. That’s your skin crying for help.
4. Mistake #4: Ignoring Sweat and Oil Build-Up (Hi, Acne)
Let’s talk about the summer trifecta: heat, humidity, and sweat. Combine them with oil, sunscreen, and makeup, and boom—congestion city. Your skin is basically a clogged highway in LA at rush hour.
Why it’s a problem:
Without proper cleansing, all that gunk builds up in your pores, leading to breakouts, dullness, and texture issues. And let’s not even get into bacne.
The Fix:
Double cleansing is your best friend. Start with a gentle oil cleanser to melt sunscreen and makeup, then follow up with a water-based cleanser to actually clean your skin. No stripping, no squeaky clean nonsense—just fresh, breathable skin.
Bonus: Add a salicylic acid toner a few times a week to help keep pores clear without being aggressive.
Cleanse like you’re washing off the sins of your summer adventures.
5. Mistake #5: Thinking “Hydration” Isn’t for Oily Skin
Oily-skinned babes, gather ‘round. You’re not exempt from hydration just because your T-zone is shinier than a glazed donut. In fact, skipping hydration might be the reason your skin is producing even more oil.
Why it’s a problem:
When your skin is dehydrated, it overcompensates by pumping out oil. That’s how you end up with dry-yet-greasy, tight-yet-slick skin—a paradox that screams, “Help me, I’m confused!”
The Fix:
Hydration ≠ heavy. Look for lightweight, oil-free hydrators like gel moisturizers, hydrating serums, or even essence-style toners. Think of hydration as your skin’s best friend who always texts back.
Hydrated skin = balanced skin = fewer breakouts and less shine. Magic? Nope, just skincare science.
Bonus Section: Summer Skincare Power Tips (Because You Deserve Extra)
Mist facial sprays? Yes, but only the kind that adds hydration—not the ones with high alcohol content that dry you out.
Reapplying sunscreen over makeup? Get a setting spray or powder with SPF for top-ups on the go.
Lips need SPF too! Sunburned lips are a special kind of betrayal. Grab a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher.
Don’t forget the scalp. A few sprays of SPF mist along your part line can save you from peeling flake city.
Stay cool. Literally. Store your skincare in the fridge for a refreshing treat—especially eye creams and mists.
Final Thoughts: Your Summer Skin Deserves Better
Here’s the deal: summer is not your skin’s enemy. But it does demand a little more TLC, a little more SPF, and a little less “eh, I’ll just wing it.”
Think of your skincare like your summer playlist—it should be fresh, feel-good, and absolutely no skips. And if you’ve made one (or all) of these mistakes, don’t panic. We’ve all been there, roasting under the sun with a full face of foundation and regrets.
The good news? You can fix it—right now. So swap that heavy cream, reapply your SPF, and glow responsibly.
Stay radiant, my dewy queens and kings.
