Summer is upon us, with longer days, more time spent outdoors (if you live in the Northeast!), which includes time in the sun and at the beach. Should you switch up your skincare routine? I’ve got all the details!

Switch to a Serum
As the air gets warmer and more humid, the moisturizer that sustained you during the dry winter months may be too heavy for summertime. Consider switching to a hydrating serum instead of a cream to wear under your sunscreen for day and over your corrective serums at night.

Stay in the Shade (and wear a hat!)
The American Academy of Dermatology has recently changed their guidelines and has determined that it is best to avoid direct sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Yes, that's pretty much the entire day! Concerned about Vitamin D? Read this. UVA (Aging rays) and UVB (Burning rays) are proven to mutate your DNA, cause premature aging, and put you at risk for several types of skin cancers, some of which are fatal. Bring an umbrella to the beach or pick a cool shady spot: your cold treat or beverage won't melt too- bonus!

Reapply that Sunscreen
If you are using a mineral SPF of at least 30 daily (as you well should!), you will need to reapply it every few hours if you are spending time in the sun doing activities. Two tablespoons is sufficient for the entire body and a pea sized amount is perfect for the face. 

Skip the Retinol
Exfoliating the skin with retinol, while beneficial, can leave the skin more susceptible to sun damage. If you know you will be exposing your skin daily to the sun during the Summertime, nix the retinol from your routine completely and start back up again in the Fall when you head indoors for longer periods of time again.

Save the Aggressive Treatments for Fall & Winter
Building on the avoidance of retinol, any type of deep exfoliation or treatment to the skin such as Fraxel, IPL, and even deeper peels, are best left to a time when you can retreat indoors. You don't want to expose your baby fresh skin to the sun's damaging rays!

Incorporate a Vitamin C Serum
If you have never used an Antioxidant Serum for daytime, summer is a great time to start (you can benefit from this year round!) You can read more about why you need a Vitamin C in more detail here, but the short version is that these antioxidants protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays as well as free radical damage from the environment.

Properly Cleanse in the Evening
With wearing layers of sunscreen and hats during the day, make sure you use a gel or foaming cleanser at night that will properly remove excess oil, dirt, debris, sweat and sunscreen from your face. Wash your hats too- if they can't go in the washing machine make sure you wipe them with a soapy cloth at least once per week.

Lastly, stay hydrated!
Proper hydration is very important to keep skin’s moisture level balanced. Make sure you drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water per day, and limited dehydrating beverages like alcohol and coffee. A nice cup of herbal or green tea over ice is a great way to stay hydrated during the summer. Don’t forget to eat hydrating foods with a high water content such as watermelon, peppers and cucumbers. You can also create your own fruit infused water. Cut up your favorite fruits and herbs, place in a pitcher with ice and water and let it sit overnight. You will have flavorful water with vitamins and nutrients all day!

And if you do get a burn?
Apply cold compresses, aloe vera gel, as well as pure coconut oil. Apply coconut oil twice per day and the aloe as needed for stinging and burning. But please- please don't burn!

About the Author: Ashli Carnicelli is a Licensed Aesthetician, Licensed Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Instructor. She is passionate about skincare, health and wellness and shares tips on scientific and holistic approaches on her blog, The Skincare Belle.