Five ways to update your skincare routine for summer

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Summer is fast approaching and while that makes for the perfect opportunity to kick back and relax, it certainly shouldn’t be viewed as time to slack on your skincare routine.

We all dream of flawless, sun kissed skin, but as well as aggravating air-con and oil build-up, the weather affects our complexions in different ways. As such, it’s important to adapt your skincare in line with the temperature.

Here are some of our top tips to help tailor your regime in line with the warmer months ahead.

Defend yourself

By Terry, UV Base SPF 50, Cult Beauty

What if you hate the way your sun cream feels? The solution here is to find a sunscreen that doesn’t actually feel like a sunscreen.

Luckily, there’s a whole new generation of SPFs that are super-lightweight, sophisticated and offer solid protection. One of our favourites is By Terry’s UV Base which provides a high level of broad-spectrum SPF 50 helping fight against UV rays, with its antioxidant vitamin E guards also warding against the effects of pollution on your skin.

Don’t forget your lips either. The sun can be extremely drying so keep them soft and smooth by using a rich lip balm with SPF 15 or higher.

Lighten up

Sunday Riley, Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, £60, Net-a-Porter

With an increase in heat and humidity many think they can get away with skipping moisturiser altogether but it’s important to continue using one daily even during the summer.

While the product you used during the cooler months may have done you proud, the trick here is switch out rich creams in favour of something more lightweight.

Something cooling like Sunday Riley’s Brightening Enzyme Water Cream is top of our list. Not only does it provide long-lasting hydration but the combination of botanical extracts and gel-like formula provides instant relief for parched skin.

Double Cleanse

Pixi & Caroline Hirons, Double Cleanse, £24, Marks & Spencer

Cleansing is crucial to every skincare routine but it’s even more important during the summer months when you’re wearing SPF in order to prevent blocked pores.

As such, adding a double cleanse into your regime will allow dirt on the skin to be washed off more decisively.

For this we suggest using a product like Pixi & Caroline Hirons’ Double Cleanse which uses a solid cleansing oil and cream to rid your skin of surface dirt and break down any makeup or sunscreen.

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate

Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub, £24, Space NK

During the summer, our skin is exposed to a buildup of sunscreen, sweat, excess oil and makeup which can make it appear dull.

In this case, exfoliation is key but remember to keep it super gentle and to only do it around twice a week to avoid breaking down the skin barrier.

For results that will leave your skin smooth and effortlessly refreshed, try Kiehl’s Pineapple Papaya Face Scrub which is made using real fruit extracts and finely ground scrub grains, which naturally and gently exfoliate the skin.

Time to tan

Tan Luxe, The Face Illuminating Tan Drops, £35, Space NK

Whether you’re trying to hold on to your holiday tan or simply fake a healthy glow, investing in a tanner for your face will do the trick.

If you’re finding it difficult to find the perfect one though, why not make your own? A unique, tailor-made approach to self-tanning; a product like Tan Luxe’s The Face Illuminating Tan Drops works by mixing a few drops with your chosen moisturiser or serum. The more drops you add, the more intense the bronzing effect will be.