Men's Skincare for the Summer Season: Essential Tips
Updated on 09th August 2023 by Avindo Gonsalves
Skin type and summer
Sun protection during summer
Cleanse regularly during summer
Hydration is key during summer
Importance of exfolaition
After sun care
Eye care and lip care during summer
Diet during summer
Be consistent
Skincare during summer for men is important, as this season presents different challenges to the skin’s health and appearance. Increased sun exposure, heightened humidity and dehydration are the main concerns during summer and need attention.
During summer the intensified sun rays raise the risk of UV damage. This can lead to sunburn, premature aging and even skin cancer. Also, the increase in humidity can cause sweating, which in turn can clog pores and trigger acne breakouts. Finally, the hot weather can lead to dehydration, which can make the skin dry and flaky.
Therefore it is necessary to have a proper skincare routine for men during summer. As men spend more time in the sun, they need to be more consistent with their skincare routine.
Skin type and summer
There are four main skin types in men. They are normal, oily, dry and combination. All four may react differently to summer conditions.
Normal skin handles summer quite well. It may experience more oiliness, but mostly it remains balanced and healthy. Oily skin will create problems in summer. The increased humidity will lead to excess oil production and sweating. This in turn will cause clogged pores and acne breakouts.
Dry skin may cause problems during summer as the intense heat and sun exposure can worsen dryness. Finally, combination skin can have increased oiliness in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin)
Therefore, it is important to adjust your skincare routine during the summer season according to your skin type.
Sun protection during summer
Sun protection during summer is very important for most men as they spend more time outside in the sun. The intense summer UV rays can lead to signs of premature skin aging, sun burn, hyperpigmentation and skin cancer.
Therefore it is important to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF above 30 whenever you move out in the sun. Reapply after every two hours of staying out. Cover your eyes with sunglasses and wear a broad hat for extra protection.
Using sun protection during summer is the most important part of skincare routine that all men must follow.
Cleanse regularly during summer
During non-summer days it is important to cleanse your face twice a day. This habit becomes even more important during the summer when there is increased sweat and oil production. The two can lead to clogged pores and acne.
Use a gentle cleanser twice a day to remove dirt, sweat and excess oil. Also don’t cleanse for more than twice a day as it can strip the skin of its natural oils.
Hydration is key during summer
During summer men who normally spend more time in the sun tend to sweat more. This can at times lead to dehydration. In such a case the body starts to pull water from the skin, which results in dry skin. Therefore it is important to drink plenty of water to replenish the lost water.
Also, use a moisturizer to maintain skin’s moisture balance. Normally, we recommend cream based moisturizers for dry and sensitive skin. But during summer you can use light weight, non-comedogenic moisturizers to prevent clogged pores.
Use a moisturizer twice a day after cleansing your face. This will help maintain the moisture levels in your skin in case of dehydration.
Exfoliation is important during summers
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and unclogs skin pores. This step is very important during summer season, when your skin pores are clogged due to excessive sweating and oil production.
It is important to exfoliate your skin twice a week for oily and combination skin. For normal and dry skin once a week is enough.
For oily and combination skin, salicylic acid or glycolic acid based exfoliants are good. For dry skin, try lactic acid based exfoliants.
It is important to exfoliate after cleansing and before moisturizing. Also don’t do it more than the recommended number of times as it can compromise the skin’s barrier functions.
After sun care
If you have been exposed to the sun for a long period of time without sun protection then apply a cool, damp cloth to your face. If there is any redness, pain and inflammation, you may have sunburn. Use aloe vera gel or some lotion that contains aloe vera or chamomile to calm irritated skin.
Then use a gentle, fragrance free moisturizer to rehydrate your skin. Avoid products that contain alcohol as your skin has become sensitive due to sun exposure. Finally, always wear a sunscreen when you move out in the sun during the summer season and drink lots of water.
Eye care and lip care during summer
The skin around the eyes and lips is delicate in nature. Hence, you need to protect it. Use sunglasses that have UV protection when you move out in the sun. The glasses will protect the skin around your eyes and prevent eye wrinkles. For your lips, use a lip balm with SPF to protect them from sun damage.
Healthy diet for skin during summer
During the summer season focus on hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber and citrus fruits. These provide hydration and with anti-oxidants to promote healthy skin. Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish and flaxseeds to reduce the effects of sunburn.
Opt for colorful foods like berries and bell peppers and include foods high in vitamin C like oranges and strawberries. Limit sugary and processed foods, as they can contribute to skin issues.
Be consistent
When it comes to skincare it is important to be consistent to see results. Hence, cleanse and moisturize your face twice a day. Use sunscreen when you go out and exfoliate once or twice a day depending on your skin type.
Follow the above routine religiously and you will see improvement in your skin during summer season.
In conclusion
It is important to follow your skincare routine more religiously during the summer season. This is because of the sweat which our skin produces and excess oil production. The two can lead to clogging of pores and acne breakouts.
Also dehydration and exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause more skin problems. Therefore cleanse, moisturize, use sunscreen and exfoliate as mentioned above. Additionally eat fruits and vegetables, drink lots of water and avoid sugary foods.
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