Summer is on its way, and we’ve had the first glimpses of the longer days and warmer weather. But while you're planning beach trips and stocking up on SPF, don’t forget that your skincare routine needs a seasonal upgrade too.
Your skin can easily be thrown off balance by higher temperatures and increased humidity. The good news? A few simple tweaks to your routine can make all the difference.
How does summer affect your skin?
This season might be great for your mood, but it can be tough on your skin. You may find yourself dealing with unexpected shine, clogged pores, or sun sensitivity, so understanding how summer affects your complexion is essential.
1. More oil means more breakouts
Heat and humidity stimulate your oil glands, which can leave your skin feeling greasy and more prone to breakouts. Even if you don’t usually have oily skin, you might notice more shine and the occasional blemish during warmer months.
2. Increased sun exposure
With longer days and more of your time spent outdoors, your skin is exposed to stronger UV rays. Without proper protection, this can lead to sun damage and sunburn, hyperpigmentation, and accelerated ageing – even on cloudy days.
3. Dehydrated skin despite the humidity
It might seem a bit counterintuitive, but your skin can still become dehydrated in summer. Sweating, sun exposure, and air conditioning can strip moisture from your skin, leaving it feeling dry and tight.
4. Increased environmental irritants
Hot weather means one thing – swimming. But chlorine from pools and salty seawater can all stress your skin’s natural barrier. This can lead to irritation, sensitivity, and dullness.
Whether your skin is feeling greasy by noon or you’re battling unexpected breakouts, adapting your skincare for summer is key to keeping it clear, healthy, and glowing.
Your summer skin care routine in 5 steps
1. Switch to a water-based cleanser
The heat might mean more makeup-free days, but that doesn’t mean you can skip cleansing your skin.
Higher temperatures and humidity cause your skin to produce more sweat and oil, which can mix with sunscreen and environmental pollutants to clog pores, leading to breakouts.
Using a light, water-based cleanser allows you to cleanse your skin thoroughly without worrying about weighing it down. For acne-prone skin, look out for ingredients such as salicylic acid and tea tree oil
Product picks: Cleansing Face Milk with Oat Powder + Aloe Vera or Fennel + Cardamom Chai Cleansing Bar
Our water-based, gentle face cleanser thoroughly cleanses the skin while repairing its natural barrier and preventing transepidermal water loss.
If you prefer solid soaps for your cleanser, our Fennel + Cardamom Chai Cleansing Bar is perfect for summer. Gently cleansing, this bar is formulated with green clay to draw impurities and pollution residues from pores, helping combat acne and breakouts. Shea butter leaves skin hydrated and smooth, and glycerin helps to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.
2. Modify your moisturiser
Those delightfully rich, heavy creams that served your skin well in the colder seasons can feel suffocating in warmer weather. Depending on the formulation, these heavier moisturisers may contribute to clogged pores or increased oiliness.
For your summer skin routine, opt for a lightweight moisturiser that’s brimming with hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera.
Product pick: Face Moisturiser with Vitamin E
Our multi-award-winning Face Moisturiser gives your skin a hit of deep hydration, without weighing your skin down. Brimming with vitamin E to nourish and brighten your complexion, this vegan cream is dermatologically approved for all skin types. Blending antioxidant-rich argan shell powder with soothing cocoa butter, this moisturiser is designed to balance, soothe, and boost collagen production for healthier, more radiant skin. Your summer skincare routine needs antioxidants. As temperatures rise, so does your exposure to environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution. These factors trigger oxidative stress and can accelerate signs of ageing. Antioxidants like vitamin C and niacinamide help to neutralise the damaging free radicals. It’s important to note that while certain antioxidants offer some protection against UV damage, it is never a substitute for using a high-quality mineral sunscreen every day. Product pick: Peptide Serum with Custard Apple + Blood Orange
Our Peptide Serum is carefully formulated with niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, a stable and gentler form of vitamin C. This thoughtful combination makes it suitable for all skin types, delivering brightening and strengthening benefits without the risk of irritation — especially during the warmer months when skin is exposed to more sun. Upcycled custard apple in this serum is not only great at hydrating the skin, but it also contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. Incorporating alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) into your summer skincare routine is a great way to keep your complexion clear, smooth, and glowing. As sweat, sunscreen, and increased oil production build up on your skin during the warmer weather, your pores can become more clogged, and may experience breakouts. Gentle chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs work to break down dead skin cells, clear congestion, and promote cell turnover. Product pick: Face Toner with Hyaluronic Acid
Our Face Toner with Hyaluronic Acid is also infused with BHA salicylic acid, which helps to balance your skin and protect its natural barrier. This face toner is formulated with the anti-inflammatory residual water of green mandarin fruit, a by-product of the juicing industry, and skin-soothing chamomile stem extract, a by-product of the tea industry. How to use: After cleansing your skin with our gentle oat cleanser, apply to fingertips or a cleansing pad and gently sweep over your face. You can also use this product as a mist, spritzing over your face at any time to revitalise. One of the most underrated steps for healthy, glowing skin, especially during the summer months, is staying hydrated. When temperatures rise, your body loses more water through sweat, which can quickly lead to dehydration. It’s not just your energy levels that are impacted, but your skin’s appearance too – dehydrated skin often appears dry and dull. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps maintain your skin’s moisture balance from the inside out. Our number one skincare rule is to use sunscreen every single day, all year round. This is even more crucial in the summer months, when exposure to UV is often higher. Discover our full collection of natural and cruelty-free skincare, bodycare, fragrance, and haircare.3. Introduce antioxidants
4. Use AHAs and BHAs
5. Stay hydrated
Use sunscreen year-round